Intercultural - Summer 2016

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Last Journal - Final Reflections

Nowadays, no matter where we go we will meet find and meet people from all over the world that might have practices that are very different from ours. Sometimes this practices are to different that are not easy to accept or that might even get us upset or at least bother us. This is something that not always knew it was that way. After taking this class I began to be more aware and critic about this matter in my workplace, where a lot of people working there are foreigners from all over the world with different practices and beliefs. Before this class I just thought of them as people from other countries working in Mexico, but now I see them all as key resources to all organizations, now I see that every culture has a different way to approach problems and a different way find a solution which gives a lot of value to all organizations. I would dare to say that without interculturalism, a lot of things that we actually have would be very different in a worse way from how they actually are. Interculturalism is all over us and the only thing we can do about it is try to understand it and accept it, accept and understand people from different places with different beliefs with different cultural practices.

[culture-nature-adventure]

Intercultural relationships are the most difficult, but open your mind to question your own ideas of what love is.

[hhhhhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii]

Intercultural and Interracial Friendships

The qualities and expectations associated with being a friend differ among cultures, ethnic groups, and racial groups. You might engage in behavior that you think is appropriate in your friendship with a person from another culture, only to find that you have offended your friend by violating his or her culturally based expectations. In fact, one study that examined the qualities associated with friendship in various ethnic groups in the United States found that “Latinos emphasized relational support, Asian Americans emphasized a caring, positive exchange of ideas, African Americans emphasized respect and acceptance, and Anglo-Americans emphasized recognizing the needs of the individual.” Realize, of course, that such generalities may not be valid for a particular member of an ethnic group. However, the study also found that in developing interethnic relationships, individuals seemed unaware of cultural or ethnic differences; rather, they developed a unique relationship defined by their own relational rules rather than by cultural rules. Such uniqueness is similar to the notion of developing a third culture, as discussed in Chapter 4. True respect for and deep understanding of a partner’s culture develops as the relationship becomes very close, at which point cultural violations are viewed less negatively and may even be joked about.

As in the development of most relationships, factors such as proximity and communication affect attraction in intercultural friendships. However, four factors have been identified that specifically affect the development of intercultural friendships.

1. Cultural similarities exist across cultures, creating common ground that nurtures the development of friendship—for example, sharing the same passion for soccer as someone from Brazil or a love of anime with someone from Japan. 2. Cultural differences can actually heighten interest in the other person and prompt initial conversations. You might seek more information from someone from another culture about how their nonverbal communication code differs yours, or about the holidays they observe and how they celebrate them. 3. Prior intercultural experiences help reduce uncertainty about developing friendships with people from other cultures and serve as the foundation for new friendships. Of course, this factor can be somewhat unilateral, in that you might have experience with the other person’s culture, but not vice versa.

[andarthas-web]

There is nothing more authentic, than taking where you’re from and mixing it with the world.

Jorge R. Gutiérrez, writer and director of “The Book of Life”, about the movie’s soundtrack (via andarthas-web)

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Journal 5 - Current Affairs

2 more black men killed by police in U.S. amid nationwide protests

The violent death of two black men into the hands of police in just two days in the US, recorded with cellphones, has turned on new protests and aggravated the problematic in the racial country and distrust of minorities into the police force. Philando Castile y Alton Sterling they have left this world to become part of a bloody statistic that managed to shake the national conscience as a result of the case called Ferguson, Missouri two years ago, an incident that sparked outrage and strong riots.

In the United States, in the same way it is recommended to wear GPS or spare wheel, there is a usual advice in case you stop by the police on the road: never reach into the glove compartment or pocket until give explicit permission, never leave the car if you have not been asked and let hands visible on the steering wheel or dashboard at all times, because in the richest country in the world and also one of the most violent societies developed a nervous police can become a very serious problem. The proliferation of weapons makes many policemen argue the fear of dying in what could be routine inspections.

In my opinion it’s unfair that a country that declares itself like a “free country” continues having this kind of situation. You are free to do whatever you want but you aren’t free to have the skin color that you were born with.

Distrust among the black community and the police is an old scar in the United States, this is an stereotype that is still present, an unsolved problem in racial trauma of this country, but the digital revolution, camera phones that can diffuse the stories globally and immediately, problems have become visible in the eyes of everyone.

Taken from: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/police-shootings-sacramento-houston-aliva-braziel-1.3674732

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Journal 4 - Intercultural Skills in the Business Context

In this session the teacher assigned to my team a study case to analyze a cultural conflict, our topic was about “GERMAN AND INDIAN VENTURE”

Depending on the dimensions proposed by the author Hofstede, I think these two cultures are difficult to compare, each one has different features:

The German society is a truly Individualist one. Small families with a focus on the parent-children relationship rather than aunts and uncles are most common. There is a strong belief in the ideal of self-actualization. Loyalty is based on personal preferences for people as well as a sense of duty and responsibility. This is defined by the contract between the employer and the employee. Communication is among the most direct in the world following the ideal to be “honest, even if it hurts” – and by this giving the counterpart a fair chance to learn from mistakes. And about the Indian culture, is a society with both collectivist and Individualist traits. The collectivist side means that there is a high preference for belonging to a larger social framework in which individuals are expected to act in accordance to the greater good of one’s defined in-group(s). In such situations, the actions of the individual are influenced by various concepts such as the opinion of one’s family, extended family, neighbors, work group and other such wider social networks that one has some affiliation toward. For a collectivist, to be rejected by one’s peers or to be thought lowly of by one’s extended and immediate in-groups, leaves him or her rudderless and with a sense of intense emptiness. 

The employer/employee relationship is one of expectations based on expectations: Loyalty by the employee and almost familial protection by the Employer. Hiring and promotion decisions are often made based on relationships which are the key to everything in a Collectivist society.

My proposal solution is to develop an open mind from both parts (in this case from the German and Indian people); putting in practice this aptitude would help them to understand their cultural differences, avoid this kind of issues and of course, let the communication flow.

On the other hand, when it is strongly necessary to live together with a foreign culture, as it presented in this case, I consider crucial to develop the “curiosity” when you evolve this quality you are also evolving “an open mind”. The curiosity works as an impulse to know and learn about new things and inside this ambit it brings a lot of benefits.

Be curious through the “observation”, is really important in the professional field; as a Mexican I see that when we are “curious” we ask a lot, when we don’t understand we ask and when we already understand we ask again just to confirm and be sure but sometimes, in the professional field, when we are working together with a person from another culture, this feature could be offensive for them because they could interpret it as a lack of attention, apathy and also that you are not capable of doing your job, so I consider as a first approach the “curiosity through the observation” this could help you to understand their behavior, also to act according to their behavior and learn through this, could be an “ extra bonus”

[preservingface]

Hofstede Showdown: Japan v. America

All information on Hofstede’s cultural dimensions was found in the textbook Applying Communication Theory for Professional Life by Marianne Dainton and Elaine D. Zelley.

I have never lived in Japan, but I have traveled there on three separate occasions and I am going back this coming summer (hopefully). In eighth grade I took part in an exchange program through my school. It was through this program that I met my good friend Ryutaro Toya. I was so excited to go to Japan to stay with him for a few weeks, but I wasn’t prepared for the cultural differences between our respective countries. According to Geert Hofstede there are different dimensions to consider in regards to different cultures. I will compare/contrast some aspects of American and Japanese culture, and add some personal anecdotes. Uncertainty Avoidance

Certain cultures do not like uncertainty more than others. According to Hofstede “People within a culture [of high uncertainty avoidance] are made nervous by situations which they perceive as unstructured, unclear, or unpredictable.” On the other hand culture with low uncertainty avoidance tend to be more alright with uncertainty. One situation that came up on my first voyage to the land of the rising sun is a perfect example of this. I had a minor fever and I didn’t mind too much, but my host family insisted on taking me to the hospital to see what was wrong with me. In my opinion this is an example of Japan’s high uncertainty avoidance trait, so they wanted to make sure there was nothing really wrong with me.

Long Term and Short Term Orientation

Cultures with long term orientation, like Japan, center on strong work ethic and employees keep their eyes on the long term prize. Short term oriented cultures, such as America, long for instant gratification. In Tokyo, where Ryutaro lives, you see evidence of this everywhere. Businessmen work exhausting hours and are often away from home for long stretches of time. There are even pod hotels, which are tiny little pods in a row for overnight business stays. Workers are always hustling. 

For more information on Hofstede here is a link to his website.

-Thomas F.

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I share you this post that I find really interesting is a reflection about the topic that we are seeing in the class.

[jackspells-blog]

Are you past oriented or future oriented.

Journal 3

This video reminds me of Geert Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions.

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Journal 3 - Cultural Patterns and National Variability Dimensions

Geert Hofstede’s dimensions of cultural difference are a fascinating concept that allows us to compare cultures from around the globe using a universal lexicon that has an admirable will towards objectivity. Why the French are so polite? Why it’s so oddly important to be prompt for an appointment with a Japanese client? Or how family ties in Senegal compare to those in the US?

Hofstede's published the following six dimensions of culture to work effectively with people from a range of cultural and geographic backgrounds:

Power Distance Index (high versus low).

Individualism Versus Collectivism.

Masculinity Versus Femininity.

Uncertainty Avoidance Index (high versus low).

Pragmatic Versus Normative.

Indulgence Versus Restraint.

I found this interesting page to know and compare the cultural dimensions of different countries: https://geert-hofstede.com/countries.html

[jackspells-blog]

Identity is not only a story, a narrative we tell ourselves; it is a set of stories that change with historical circumstances, and identity shifts with the way in which we think, hear and experience them. Far from only coming from the still small point of truth inside us, identities actually come from outside; they are the way in which we are recognized and then come to step into the place of the recognitions others give us. Without others there is no self, there is no self-recognition.

Stuart Hall

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Cultural identities come from somewhere. But, like everything which is historical, they undergo constant transformation. Far from being eternally fixed in some essentialised past, they are subject to the continuous play of history, culture and power.

Stuart Hall, Cultural Identity and Diaspora.

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Journal 2 - The Identity Project

I think my identity is very dynamic, sometimes it is fun because when I discover a new thing I always said “wow I was thinking wrong all the time” but this is something that happen to me all the time, in the college’s classes, when I do different projects at job, in the ordinary activities etc. some features of my identity are changing constantly.

 The groups I belong are: my university and job communities also I have to say that the Japanese culture is something that daily inspires me so I have to consider it as another group I belong. I think my inclination to these groups define me as a person who always is searching for improves and changes, for innovate the things that are around me. I respect the nature and people and the technology is something that always makes good things for both. I think cultural identity taught to people trough traditions, social norms, education and family.

 One year ago when my father passed away I met his first wife and family, I knew that they existed but I had never met them, at first was difficult thinking that he have two wife. I thought that it is pretty “male chauvinist” and my father never had any problem with it, he always justified himself saying that “he was a man and he was Mexican and he had the enough courage to support two families”. I think this feature is really related with our cultural heritage, the “male chauvinist” is something that is really present in our Mexican culture every day.

[jackspells-blog]

Naelyn Pike is an incredible teen activist for indigenous and environmental rights and a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe in Arizona. She has protested with Apache-Stronghold to defend sacred land and protect her cultural identity. Earlier this year, she won the Youth Ambassador Spotlight and is officially recognized as a Champion for Change by the Center for Native American Youth.

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Journal 1 - Cultural Groups

I think that is possible for someone to belong to several cultural groups. A cultural group is represented by different symbolic features, it is part of a person's self-conception and self-perception and is related to nationality, ethnicity, religion, social class, generation, locality or any kind of social group that has its own distinct culture. Therefore I believe that is a possibility for an individual to truly belong in more than one cultural classification. Once you examine the various types of cultural groups people identify with, learning about the cultural beliefs and practices of a specific group have been known to merge directly into another cultural group. Some examples of individual’s identifying with more than one cultural group might be Native Americans, immigrants and refugees, convicts and ex-convicts, children of bi-racial / bi-cultural parents, the Amish and Mennonites. There are so many facets of cultural studies that, once you start seeing connections between groups you'll see that some individuals may identify with three or more cultural groups.