Culture.
October 18, 2009
Hello everybody let me enlighten you on CULTURE. Every one of us belong to different cultures and this will inevitably lead to cultural differences. Reason being our culture defines who we are. We grow up seeing things differently and we have our own unique way of expressing our personality. When our views clash, only will it lead to cultural differences.
1) When Indians shake their heads, they mean YES. To people of the West, it signifies NO. This is very misleading as it creates contradicting results.
2) British people do not look at women on the streets while the French do. This has resulted in a French public figure stating that British men are GAY; due to their lack of interest towards women.
3) Americans like direct eye contact, while the Japanese avoid direct glances as much as possible. Awkward for both in such situations, aint it?
These are just some of the many examples that are caused by cultural differences. When I see the way Americans greet one another, (a hug followed by pecks on the cheek), I cannot help but to feel a little uneasy. As a Singaporean, we’re not brought up to greet others in such an intimate way. To the Americans, this form of greeting is part of their culture. Likewise, the older generations in Asian countries may probably view this as a form of PDA, or audacious, at worst. However by now, most Asians would have recognized that such actions are a form of greeting to the Americans.
Personally, I feel that one must be empathetic and understanding when embracing the cultures of others in order to avoid conflicts.
November 5, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Hey Stef!
It’s like how we are so accustomed to taking our shoes off whenever we enter into someone else’s place, while the Americans who have migrated over here are not used to that at all. Such habits which we take for granted have become so ingrained into our lives that we might be insensitive at times, especially when we are in a foreign land. These acts are not done intentionally, but just done involuntarily. Hence whenever we are abroad and accepting the hospitality of others, we have to drop all assumptions of similarity and to receive their culture with an open mind. What we perceive as a norm might be a rude shock to them, for example, the slurping of soup to the Japanese is considered as an act of paying compliments to the chef, while in western countries, it is seen as rude and crude. So when we are in a foreign land, should they react with animosity or shock towards our certain actions, we should always bear in mind that it is due to cultural differences, before we take offense of any kind!
November 8, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Wise words, Cheryl! Culture differences will be something commonplace throughout the world. I think as we grow older, we will gradually grow more sensitive towards other cultures. Like by now, most of us will know that slurping soup in Japan is perceived as a compliment but the total opposite in Western countries. I personally feel that one should take the effort to read up on another’s culture esp if they are going to travel to that particular country. This will lead to lesser misunderstandings.
thanks Cheryl
November 8, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Hey , i think sometimes people of their own culture dont realise that they may offend others just by doing something so routine to them.hahaha.
i think its quite interesting how different culture interprets all these cues.yeah and i think that we must put ourselves in the shoes of the person we are communicating with to avoid conflicts.
and of course not jump into false conclusions so easily without the understanding and knowledge.
November 8, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Hi Jeremy, thanks for agreeing! Yup, one should NEVER jump into conclusions about such stuff as it will only make one look stupid. Hahah dont you think! Hence, I always emphasize.. BE SENSITIVE! Thanks for commenting