Name: Ahmed Abdelaal Ahmed "Outsourced Movie"
In Light of the Movie Discuss the Following Questions:

Explain Hofstede cultural dimension and how it is clearly manifested?
Below is a brief explanation of the cultural dimensions and examples from the film that represent each of the dimensions.
Individualism and Collectivism
Individualistic cultures “offer their members a great deal of freedom, the belief being that this freedom makes it possible for each person to achieve personal success” . Members tend to “put their own interests and those of their immediate family ahead of social concerns” In contrast, members of collectivist cultures “have tight social frameworks in which members of a group . . . feel primary loyalty toward one another and the group to which they belong” .
· Todd has his own apartment in Seattle, he lives alone, and he is ambitious and consumption-oriented. As he explains to Puro: “In my world, it just makes sense to work your ass off and go into credit card debt just so you can have that 50-inch plasma.”
· Todd also does not see his parents often, even though they live only two hours away from him. This news stuns Puro, who also cannot understand why Todd continues to work for a company and a boss he dislikes.
Todd and Puro are at opposite ends of the individualism-collectivism continuum.
A series of events at the beginning of the film also highlight the contrast between individualist and collectivist cultures:
· When Todd sits down on a crowded train after a boy has given him his seat, the boy unabashedly sits on Todd’s lap, much to the surprise of Todd, who is used to the private personal space of a person from an individualist culture.
· When Puro is taking Todd to his accommodations, Puro changes the plans for Todd to stay at the Gharapuri Palace Hotel. “That place is very lonely,” says Puro, in true collectivist manner. “I’ll take you to Auntie Ji’s guest house. She will take care of you better than your own real mother.” When individualist Todd protests that he would prefer to go to his hotel, Puro insists: “We go to Aunti Ji’s. . . . You’ll not be lonely there.”
· Finally, when Todd arrives at Aunti Ji’s, this is the first question she, as a collectivist, asks: “So, Mr. Toad. What does your father do?”
· Interactions between Todd and Asha also highlight the contrast between members of individualist and collectivist cultures. When Todd asks Asha if she would ever consider living in the United States, she says: “I would miss my parents; it would be too hard.”
· When they are in public together, Asha is concerned what others will think. Todd, on the other hand, cannot understand this preoccupation. “You’re a free woman!” he exclaims.
· Then when he hears the news that her parents have arranged her marriage since she was a child, he cannot believe that a smart, opinionated woman like her would accept this.“What about your right to choose for yourself?” he asks.

Low Power Distance and High Power Distance
Cultures with low power distance “downplay differences in power” and its members are comfortable approaching or challenging superiors. Cultures with high power distance accept an unequal distribution of power and the fact that “some members have greater resources and influence than others”.
· The low power distance characteristic associated with American culture is revealed in the totally uninhibited way in which Todd speaks to his boss, Dave. On different occasions, Todd calls Dave a “corporate slime-ball” and a “cheap bastard.”
· Todd’s demonstration of low power distance contrasts with the deferential way in which his Indian employees address him, using Mr. Todd and Sir.
Uncertainty Tolerance and Uncertainty Avoidance
Cultures that tolerate uncertainty are more comfortable with unpredictability and risk taking, and they are “relatively tolerant of behavior that differs from the norm”. Cultures that avoid uncertainty “are less comfortable with change. They value tradition and formal rules, and show less tolerance for different ideas”.
In Outsourced, Asha refers to practices in India that are characteristic of uncertainty avoidance:
· “A girl in my position has her whole life mapped out in front of her.” Asha explains that her father is an assistant manager in a phone company and that her mother comes from a small village.
· Low-context and high-context culture
· In a significant moment for Asha, Todd shows her that people can change their “inherited” roles. Representing a culture that tolerates uncertainty, Todd promotes her to assistant manager, saying he believes that “Asha can do anything.” Those words are magical for Asha. “I always wanted to believe that, but until you, I didn’t think it was true,” she tells Todd.

Discuss the difference between high and low context cultural factors as explained by Edward T. Hall and highlight where India is classified?
A low-context culture “uses language primarily to express thoughts, feelings, and ideas as clearly and logically as possible . . . The meaning of a statement is in the words spoken” (Adler & Elmhorst, 2008,p. 47). A high-context culture, on the other hand, “relies heavily on subtle, often nonverbal cues to convey meaning, save face, and maintain social harmony. Communicators . . . discover meaning from the context in which a message is delivered” (p. 47).
In the film, Todd has a straight-talking style that reflects a low-context culture. For example, when Todd is first taken to the ramshackle building that houses the call center in Gharapuri, he does not hide his reaction: “Oh, you gotta be kidding me. This is it?” he asks Puro. Similarly, Todd does not hide his dissatisfaction with the call center’s high MPI, the average number of minutes per incident spent to resolve each call: “Why is the MPI so bad?” he asks. “Puro, this place is a disaster.” In contrast, Todd’s Indian counterparts reflect a high-context culture. For example, when Todd asks Puro if he can take a long trip to recover a shipment that has been sent to the wrong location, Puro declines the request in a very indirect manner, in line with collectivists’ concern for maintaining social harmony. “No problem,” he says. “But first I must sleep for two hours, so that I can come back for the interviews with the new agents, and then I must make sure that my mother gets to thehospital.”

Explain the manifestations of cultural communication misunderstanding as explained by hall (verbal and non-verbal)?
The India culture is very different from American culture and huge culture gap is between them.
Such differences include the religions, beliefs, customs, traditions, languages, ceremonies, arts, values and the way of life. Mutual misunderstandings and incomprehension have aroused between people from differing backgrounds and experiences.
For Example Todd found a statue everywhere: in his room, in the car, in the office and he was very confused because he did not know who she is. Actually, she is the god of destruction and she ends the old circles so the new one can begin.
Each nation has its own culture. This unique value is performed in several ways of communicating, especially non-verbal communication. The film demonstrated the vast distinctions between two countries in two continents: India and America. The first difference between Indian and American is the way they use hands for eating. In India, left hand means “unclear” because it is used for matters related to going to the bathroom. When receiving or giving anything, especially food, the right hand should only be used. On the contrary, the use of any hand is acceptable in America, depending on the preferable hand. Moreover, they often use spoons, knives and folks more in meals. This difference leads the main character in the movie - Todd confuse when eating with left hand at the first time in India. Furthermore, in terms of working clothes, the Indian tend to wear casual clothing instead of wearing a western standard suit because of the hot weather. While Indian men rarely wear suits, Indian women prefer long dresses with traditional slacks. The American, on the other hand, usually put on business suits in all the workplaces. In the movie, Todd still worn formal suit at the first days in India. However, after staying for a long time and adapting culture, he changed his manner into the “Indian style”. Another difference in non-verbal communication between India and America is their attitudes towards personal space and touching behaviors. The Indians generally allow an arm's length space between themselves and others. However, they are not too conscious of their personal space on trains & buses where there are so many people. While the Americans usually get nervous if another person stand closer than about an arm's length away. It can be easily seen in the movie that Todd felt uncomfortable at the airport when he was surrounded by many taxi drivers.
What is the observable culture that Todd has noticed since he arrived to India?
“We may understand them if we try to be part of them and not to be our self for a while.” This sentence can reflect all things That Todd have done in India. Todd finds himself in a country that is vastly different from where he grew up, a culture that he can not connect to, and a language he can not understand. Todd soon learns that the only way to be comfortable in his new life in India is to not resist the Indian culture, but assimilate with it. In the first few scenes in India, it is clear that Todd is having a rough time adapting to and understanding his new environment and the Indian culture, like any foreigner would. He first seems confused when he has to take a go-cart looking thing as a taxi. Then, as Todd is talking to Puro, the language barrier is discovered. For example, when he describes to Puro what he does for a living he says that he”sells kitches to rednecks” and that now he has to “train some other shmuck to do it”. After he says this Puro asks Todd to define kitches, rednecks, and shmucks. Later in the movie, the language barrier is seen again when, in a meeting, Todd has the employees listen to a tape recording of one of the Indian workers recommending the customer to buy “rubbers” for their son going back to school. Although in India thats an appropriate thing to bring to school, in America it is not. The movie also shows differences in food and values. For example when showing up to work Todd notices a cow. In India cows are sacred, so it is not that is not odd for them. Also, Todd sees an ad for “MacDonnells” and goes crazy but when he shows up there realizes they do not sell beef because Indians do not eat beef.
One thing I thought was interesting was the difference in attitude when Americans are told their jobs are going to be outsourced versus the Indian people being told they were losing their jobs. This also showed the harsh way in which Americans do business. At the end of the film, when the Indian workers were being told they were being outsourced, none of them really seemed to care and instead continued their celebration of reaching the minutes per sale of 6. Americans seem to value employment, money, and stability more while the Indian people seem to value their family and culture. The American company is so quick to fire people without any thought of the people they are firing just as long as it is saving them money. Also, in the film, Todd’s boss had intentionally gave him a goal that was almost impossible to reach, making sure that he would push the new workers. Although there was this huge difference in culture by the end of the film, it is clear that Todd is really enjoying his stay in India and has adopted a great appreciation for the Indian culture.
Do you think there was cultural stereotypes that were clearly spotted?
The movie relies heavily on stereotypes about U.S. and India
Just a few stereotypes I noted were that India is crowded, Indians are anxious to make money off Western travelers, Indians are very hospitable, family oriented, and Indians are overly anxious to learn about American culture.
To one extent or the other, all of the Indians are portrayed as simpletons. They can’t pronounce Todd’s name correctly even after being corrected. They are struggling to run the call center efficiently and need the help of Todd, the American. Puro seems incapable of running a lemonade stand let alone a call center. What further emphasizes this point is that Asha is very intelligent, easily pronounces Todd’s name, outspoken, even wise as she points out that Todd needs to learn about India. She stands out immediately among her Indian peers and is portrayed as the only person equal to Todd. Everyone else comes off as below Todd in intelligence and worldliness
From all these stereotypes, I left wondering where is the truth (if any) and where is the fiction.
Discuss culture imperialism vs. cultural relativism? and explain how Todd was ethnocentric in his behavior?
Cultural imperialism is the practice of promoting a more powerful culture over a least known or desirable culture. It is usually the case that the former belongs to a large, economically or militarily powerful nation and the latter belongs to a smaller, less powerful one.
Cultural relativism is the view that all beliefs, customs, and ethics are relative to the individual within his own social context. In other words, “right” and “wrong” are culture-specific; what is considered moral in one society may be considered immoral in another, and, since no universal standard of morality exists, no one has the right to judge another society’s customs.
Todd acts in an ethnocentric manner at the beginning. In one scene, he chastises his Indian employees, saying: “The center’s numbers are nowhere near what they should be, and based on the customer complaints we’ve been having, it’s a culture thing. Basically, you people need to learn about America.” Ignoring the fact that the workers are native English speakers, albeit with a different accent, Todd admonishes them: “Basically you people need to learn about America. . . . Things go faster if the customer feels they are talking to a native English speaker.” Concluding the session, Todd reminds the workers once again: “Learn about America. You want to sound American.”

In one particularly revealing scene, Todd displays his ignorance about Indian culture and the Hindu religion by discussing one of the company’s novelty products: a burger brand (a type of branding iron for steaks and meat). Responding to a question from one of the call center workers about the purpose of the product, Todd increasingly repulses his audience as he discusses cattle branding practices in America. The scene culminates with Asha, who is a call center worker, advising him: “You need to learn about India.”
Todd’s transformation in becoming more comfortable with Indian culture and open to discovery about the culture provides a potentially interesting case study to examine specific ways in which a person can ease adjustment to a new culture. The turning point for Todd’s transformation apparently begins when a compatriot he meets at the quasi McDonald’s indicates that he too felt frustrated when he first arrived: “I was resisting India. Once I gave in, I did much better.” Some time after that conversation, Todd admits to his staff that he has made a mistake in trying to run the Indian call center like an American office. He asks for, and implements, suggestions for improving the work environment.
In a subsequent fun-filled work session at the call center, Todd good-naturedly obliges a request from a worker to do a dance from an Indian movie

Discuss the cultural shock stages of Todd? and How he started to adapt and change behavior? From cultural shock to adjustment when he contacts to a new culture of India. The difference between American and Indian cultures makes Todd fall down in culture shock. Culture shock is shown clearly in both mental and physical Todd’s symptoms from the first moment he sets his foot on India.
When Todd Anderson's job and entire department are outsourced, he reluctantly travels to India to train his replacement. Arriving in India, he experiences culture shock: he is confused by everything from catching a train to hiring a taxi.
Through his team of quirky Indian call center workers, Todd soon realizes that he also has a lot to learn, not only about India culture but also about himself. Todd's objective is to reduce the time needed to complete the average call from 12 minutes to six. If his team can not achieve this, his boss won't let him go home. One day Todd gets caught in Holi festival, a celebration of colors. He initially tries to run away from the people throwing colored powders and water balloons at him, but he finally joins in the celebration and has fun. He then submerges himself in the village lake and then emerges, emphasizing his acceptance of the culture. Todd once asked Asha why people put the statue of the god of destruction everywhere. Asha told him that sometimes destruction is a good thing because she ends on circle and the new one can begin.
Day after day, Todd has finally engaged in the India culture. But good times do not last long. Todd's boss, David, suddenly arrives. When he comes to check on the progress, which was previously just over six minutes per call, he told Todd that the company will be outsourcing to China for a much cheaper price. All the employees have lost their jobs and he expects Todd to travel to China and train his replacement once again. But, Todd refused and got back to America.
When Todd comes home, there are several signs that his Indian experience has influenced him. Discuss how this was revealed?
Todd returns to Seattle, where he starts adopting some Indian traditions. In the closing scene, Todd's phone rings with Asha's special ringtone and he smiles as he reaches for it
He is no longer very reluctant to going and accepts Indian culture. Now, Todd’s characteristic and attitude are influenced by Indian culture. When he comes back America Todd called to his parents immediately. Todd has evaluated the family value as the most important thing to him. Also, he comes back with habits of drinking coffee with lots of sugar, with the cell phones tone that Ash sets for him. In conclusion, from Todd’s culture shock and adjustment, I can draw out the lesson for myself. When moving to another country, it’s important to accept the new culture and adjust to adapt with new culture, customs and habits. Besides, we should prepare and learn about new culture before enter that country. Furthermore, if we keep patience, make friend with the people around, it’s so useful for us to get knowledge from them. As said, when we are shocked, we should take a break and relax as â draw-back-to-leap, it helps us to adjust faster. Ethnocentrism is important for each person to praise their homelands pride, but we should keep it in an appreciate level to get well in new culture. In short, we can learn a lot from people of other cultures as long as they are willing to open and adjust.

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