Chapter One

Introduction

The growing concept of globalization and the opening up of the world among countries have created an inter- country business (tourism), social (education), and cultural situations where people from different countries must learn the attitude and behavior of each other in order to engage in business and co-exist in this global world (Waldman & Rubalcava, 2005).

Furthermore, Globalization has brought about intercultural marriage. In today’s world intercultural marriage is inevitable, therefore potential and existing couples are more likely than not to encounter intercultural differences and intercultural shocks such as divorce (Tallman & Hsiao, 2004)

Globalization wise intercultural marriages are vital. They create a new wave of culture called the third culture (Casmir, 1993).

Intimacy between persons of diverse cultures is becoming a common phenomenon lately, and has led to an upsurge in intercultural marriages, (Waldman & Rubalcava, 2005; Frame, 2004). There are degrees of differences in marriage including intercultural relationships or marriages. When you meet someone for the first time, you see them; you talk to them, so the first important question is, ‘Do we look alike or the same? Furthermore, you talk to them, so the subsequent question you ask yourself is ‘Do we speak the same language or different language? Do we speak with the same accent or different accents? Do we use the same vocabulary or different vocabulary? (Anon. 2014).

Furthermore, another important third question is ‘Do we exhibit the same manners because different cultures place emphasis on different aspects of mannerism, and lastly, ‘do we think alike, that is, do we have the same ethics? Believe in the same religion? What are our shared values? What are the moral common grounds? (Anon. 2014). The