...I was a flight attendant for an international carrier for many years. As a flight attendant I had the opportunity to travel throughout the world and experience many different cultures. In my travels I found the Japanese culture to be the most difficult to understand and communication the most complicated. I never had an encounter per se, or a situation with a Japanese individual that was particularly unpleasant or pleasant, I found my experience more baffling than anything else. My experience and my limited understanding of the Japanese culture and intercultural communication are due to my many travels to the country with short layovers but many, many times. I found them to be often too nice, too accommodating, always ready to help and always smiling but underneath this supposed pleasant façade, there was something that I found uneasy. They seemed like robots; everyone was perfectly groomed, well dressed, and following all the rules. One example I can never forget my first in Japan is however everyone obey the rules crossing streets, it was amazing to see that everyone waited patiently for the red light to turn green before even stepping off the pavement even if there was no cars in view; on the other hand, in Western society you rarely see such a situation. My last trip to Japan was greater than ten years ago, perhaps it is different now. Japanese communication patterns, was sort of mysterious to me since I was use to the straight talk of Westerners. The Japanese tend...
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...memories we wish we could obliterate at some point in life. Unfortunately, the hurtful memories are the most memorable ones. Being an unwanted stranger is not a thing that can be confined nor can it be forgotten. The only thing about feeling unwanted creates within us hate an insecurities. I am familiar with that since I myself have been dragged into a situation of turpitude. Moving to Canada was an indisputable nightmare even till this very day; yet being around ribaldry people was further abhorrent. The thought of meaning nothing to anyone hauled me to a place of forlornness, where hope was nothing but a nugatory word. Being someone who loves interacting with people from all around the world regardless of their culture had a prodigious effect on me for being stranger. However, the impacts of being treated with incivility not only perturbed me, but also influenced everyone around...
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...happens to many people. As I walk around people or when I’m in an elevator my first thought is to be mindful of their personal space because all humans have boundaries. Many people feel if their personal space is disrupted they are being attacked. Trying to keep a comfortable amount of distance between ourselves and strangers is very hard because there are many reason for one not knowing others’ cultural customs, religion belief, professional regulations, and even gender preferences. But the norm of personal space is what make us unique as Americans. Other cultures may not have the same expectation when it comes to personal space. In some cultures, greeting complete strangers with a hug and a kiss on each cheek is not only normal, but also expected. Other cultures find it completely normal to stand very close to someone you don’t know while talking to them. If either of these things happened to us in America we would be shocked and probably very uncomfortable. In America, personal space is a social norm that will definitely receive negative sanctions if violated. We also refer to our personal space as our “bubble”. Because when someone is facing us, they must be a certain distance away or we begin to feel uncomfortable. At the same time, if they stand too far away we also feel uncomfortable and begin to wonder. What is uncomfortable because they had a cart full of equipment and I had my push bag with my books? I said I have the right to ride this elevator because I’m handicap...
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...November 29th, 2013 Strangers and how we perceive them. I was appalled by the sight of a young girl, malnourished, dirty, in torn cloths crying and begging for money on Ahmedabad Street in India. Just as I reached for my purse to give her some money, my host, Dr. Dalal pushed me aside, gestured me inside our parked car, locked the doors and exclaimed “I should have warned you! Haven’t you seen the movie “Slumdog Millionaire?” I was left shaking, words cannot describe the horror I felt for not helping out a poor desolate child. How could this helpless child be a victim of an organized crime of self-made beggars? To answer this question would be an essay in itself, however, I describe this, as one of many etched incidences in my life to illustrate that I misrecognized the beggar and was influenced by someone else’s preconceived stereotype image of “other, a stranger described as a beggar” that was different then us. The notion of “other and misrecognition” is described in Toni Morrison’s essay “Strangers” (1998) when she explores this concept by depicting a stranger as an image of a bizarre fisherwomen dressed in men’s clothing; while Brent Staples portrays his own image as a stranger and depicts how he is perceived as a threat to others in his essay “Black Men and Public Space” (1986). Although both Morrison and Staples offer differing accounts of their experiences and feelings, they both share the same vision, the correlation between “how we see strangers” versus “how we are...
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...on the Islamic Culture A Balti proverb says, "The first time you share tea with a Balti, you are a stranger. The second time you take tea, you are an honored guest. The third time you share a cup of tea, you become family,” this helped originate the title for this novel and is a main message that I believe is presented throughout the book by either direct or indirect means. When I first began reading “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, I had my own personal ideas about the people who practiced Islam and lived in areas of the Middle East similar to the Balti. I never believed that any story would change the perceptions that had become engraved in my mind since a young age and influenced by the harsh activities such as the attacks of 9/11. “Three Cups of Tea” is a story based on Mortenson's experiences in the area near K2 and especially the village of Korphe. The story begins with a failed attempt of reaching the summit of the K2 in order to put his sister’s necklace there to honor her death. However,the journey ends up becoming a bigger accomplishment. This story is the telling of one man’s dedication to build schools and help a group of people who struggle with poverty to become better educated, especially girls who are seen to not be allowed to privileges of education. Throughout the novel, there are different times in which the Balti people show fierce yet hospitable actions and within this essay I will fully discuss my reactions to these...
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...What is culture? Culture is the broad collection of beliefs, attitudes, practices, and values that society conducts everyday life in, and consists of large groups with those similar ideas. It is influenced by external factors such as race, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical & mental abilities, and so on. We learn our beliefs, attitudes, and other cultural entities from these influences, parents, teachers, peers, mass media, and religious leaders; as well as any other factor that may shape the way you act. Each and every culture is unique, some similar to others, some the complete opposite and each one molds us in a different way, thus creating a diverse spectrum of human society. Cultural background shapes how we communicate with those from different cultures. I come from a split family. My father and mother divorced when I was six years old. My mom re-married when I was 10 and my dad has been with the same person since I was about 7 or 8. Being raised in two different households with 4 somewhat different parents and an identical twin brother has absolutely shaped how I communicate with others. I have a lot of art traits from my Dad, Step-mom, and some from my Mom. Initially I wouldn’t label myself with any other culture because there isn’t many traditions, practices, etc. in my family. I personally don’t practice a religion but I do follow hard evidence and so on with science. I’m not the type of person that falsely claims information such as “art, music, or any-common-media...
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...To singularly define my identity, culture and family in three items is extremely difficult. How do I encapsulate my entire essence with three tangible materials to complete strangers? After much thought, conversation, and pure chance the three things I would have to explain my background would be a football, Gummibärchen, and a pair of pink baby booties. The three things I have selected encompass my family identity, link to my German and American heritage, and pay ode to myself and culture. Football may seem like a typical American nod to our culture, but in my circumstance it is atypical. For as long as I can remember, football has been one of the only things to bring my family together. In 2006, I remember living on the military base, Camp Lejuene, and my mum burning her Pittsburg Steelers candle while the Steelers...
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...Culture, despite its many everyday evils, has a moral and social system that everyone living in the world is expected, and perhaps even required, to follow. There are do’s and don’ts for every situation, restrictions on freedom in a world where free will reigns supreme, and societal beliefs that, when challenged, can lead to true danger for the challengers. In Camus’ The Stranger Meursault is not tried for the murder he committed, of which he is undoubtedly guilty, but his lack of conformity to social norms. “This man, who is morally guilty of his mother’s death…” the prosecutor says in his conclusion. Camus continues to write in Meursault’s voice, “Really, he said, I had no soul, there was nothing human about me, not one of those moral qualities which normal men possess had any place in my mentality.” (63, 64) The man is executed, removed forever and entirely from the world, for a crime he did not commit. The question of whether Meursault deserves to die is poignant throughout the end of the novel. Whether a murder of another man is cause to call for the murderers death is a matter of opinion, and opinions today differ greatly. The murder...
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...Difference between Thai and American culture Culture is a word for people's way of life, meaning the way groups do things; it depends upon the human capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generation. Different groups of people may have different cultures, same as Thailand and United State of America which are located in different continent. Their cultures are different in various ways. First of all is about greeting , Americans really like to greet each other even if one does not know each other before. When American walk pass the stranger, it is ok for them to say “hi” or “have a nice day” In Thailand, most Thais are shy, we usually do not talk to the stranger. Last year ago, I hung out with Vivi , my American friend. While we were walking pass a road sweeper, she smiled and said “have a nice day” to him. He walked away from us immediately. Vivi asked me why he reacted like that and I explained to her that may be he thought that we were crazy because Thais are quite not use to this greeting. Moreover, Americans always shake hands or hug when they greet someone. Americans often shake hands when being introduced to someone. Hug is a friendly way to the person they know well. But Thais use “Wai” to say hello, thank you and goodbye. We also use it as a sign of respect. In addition, the difference about family. American parents give a freedom to their children to make them being an independence person. Most American children speak what in...
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...our locked doors to strangers and we do not pick up hitchhikers. We warn our children not to talk to strangers or open the door to strangers. We teach our children that strangers can be dangerous. This was not the case in ancient Greek and Roman times. Hospitality was expected, as it would save lives. The Roman and ancient Greeks had certain rules, expectations and customs as part of their culture. Xenia, meaning the relationship between host and guest was a term that the ancient Greeks used to refer to hospitality. Hospitium, was what the ancient Romans used too describe hospitality it meant the divine right of the guest to receive hospitality and the devein responsibility for a host to provide hospitality. Hospitality towards a stranger or a traveler was an important element in the ancient Greek and Roman culture. The Odyssey and the Aeneid best demonstrate 1) why hospitality is so important, 2) what do the gods have to do with hospitality, and 3) what was expected from the host as well as the guest. There are many reasons why hospitality was so important in those times. It was for shelter, food, protection and most importantly it was a matter of life or death. One example would be Odysseus’s long traveling in the Odyssey. Traveling back then was not as advanced as it is today. The method of traveling was done by boat or on foot. This meant that many nights would be spent away from home and the travelers would have to rely on the hospitality of strangers for food and shelter...
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...detailed memories carved into stone. My epiphany of overcoming my insecurity was not one of those moments. In fact, to this day I do not quite know exactly what it was that helped me overcome the internal battle over myself. I was never the most out-going person that spoke eloquently when introduced to new people. Often I would sit silently through an entire conversation while friends around me made new acquaintances. More than once I would be asked in a teasing tone, “Don’t you speak?” I would just smile and bite my tongue, still not confident enough to speak to new people. I was not necessarily shy, around friends I was always seen as the talkative one, but around strangers I was someone completely different. When I was offered exciting opportunities, the same invisible muffle coerced me into silence....
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...Journal 1 Maggie Liu ENGL107901 Lynne Anderson My hometown is a country of a long history. Five thousand years of growth has turned Chinese culture into a broad and profound museum that concludes countless poets, plays and other spiritual inheritance. Chinese born and Chinese bred, I’m deeply immersed in my hometown’s cultural background and that I’m proud of all the literature works that my ancestors have left for us. When I was a little kid, I was required to recite those real famous poems so that I could have a better understanding of how ancient people expressed their love, hatred, sorrow, and happiness. When Chinese characters were combined in different ways, beautiful sentences would turn up and I enjoyed all the tricks in them. Also manners of writing had everything to do with the poets’ integrity and righteousness. When I was reading great works that were blaming traitors who sold out our motherland, I was shocked and ignited by the fire of fury. Usually an integrated poet could do nothing except writing passages or poets to let off just because fatuous emperors would always listen to ideas of sycophants, which eventually led the country to disaster. However, works from these sycophants were not preserved or passed down to today for the simple reason that Chinese culture would not tolerate these evil winds blow. For over a thousand years, more and more people began to pay attention to these fabulous spiritual works. With great ancestors being idols for...
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...There is always to sides to one story or experiment. So for this reason I do in some way agree with the (Ainsworth & Bell, 1970) article and the information being provided regarding attachment. Attachment is a deep and enduring emotional bond that connects one person to another across time (Bordens & Abbott, 2011). Attachment does not have to be reciprocal. One person may have an attachment with an individual which is not shared. Attachment is characterized by specific behaviors in children, such as seeking proximity with the attachment figure when upset (Bordens & Abbott, 2011).Attachment behavior in adults towards the child includes responding sensitively and appropriately to the child’s needs. Such behavior appears universal across cultures. Attachment theory provides an explanation of how the parent-child relationship emerges and influences subsequent development. Attachment theory in psychology originates with the seminal work of John Bowlby (Bordens & Abbott, 2011). Stages of Attachment A study of 60 babies at monthly intervals is conducted for the first 18 months of life (longitudinal study). The children can be studied in their home. The children can be visited monthly for approximately one year, their interactions with their parents are observed, and parents are interviewed and evidence for the development of attachment is that the baby shows separation anxiety after the parent left (Bordens & Abbott, 2011). Up to 3 months – Indiscriminate attachments. The newborn...
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...The Power of One Word I walked through the street of my country, my people, and my culture up to the doors of the charitable hospital I came to work at. As soon as I entered the building, I was bombarded with all the signs that tie me back to my heritage. Religious symbols, images of India plastered on the walls, and quotes of the famous figures from Indian history; my parents had etched these symbols into my memory since I was little. I went to the elevator, nervous in my anticipation to meet the esteemed doctors with whom I would be working and wondering what they would think of me as the eyes of strangers followed my every step. There was a sense of unfamiliarity that I could not escape; the stares of the people around me seemed to set me apart from the crowd. Somehow, I did not belong here, and I did not know why....
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...there are many variables to a successful relationship and marriage, there are some crucial elements that need to be constant. If those elements are ignored, the connection may be lost. Jhumpa Lahiri’s stories “A Temporary Matter” and “The Third and Final Continent” demonstrate the need for communication and adaptation between two individuals to have a successful marriage. Communication is mandatory in almost every aspect of life where more than one person is involved. It can mean the difference in any outcome if there is too little or more than enough. Communication can come in many forms such as verbal, non verbal, and physical. As every relationship begins with two strangers who come to know each other better through communication, a lack of communication can cause those who once knew each other to become strangers once more. In Lahiri’s story “A Temporary Matter,” Shukumar and his wife Shoba become very distant from each other after the tragedy of their stillborn child. They create as much space as possible from one another, “he thought of how he and Shoba had become experts at avoiding each other in their three-bedroom house, spending as much time on separate floors as possible” (4). Communication between individuals helps during such a tragic time in life, not only helps the healing process, but shows concern for the significant other. Shukumar explains the fade of communication by the...
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