Complete scheduled assignment 1 (10 essay questions)

5.World of Differences

With its generally nuclear family structure (i.e., a household consisting of a man, a woman, and their children), American culture clearly departs from cultures with a multi-generational family structure. For example, most Asian cultures are characterized by a strong emphasis on “filial piety” — the virtually unlimited obligations that children feel toward their parents. In most Asian cultures, it is expected that children will care for their parents as long as the parents are alive — and this care is expected to include financial, residential, dietary and custodial responsibilities. Not to “take care” of ones parents is disrespectful.

6.The Globe

Please check to see if the Image(s) you are being asked to review has a title. If there is a title, then I expect you to click on the title and read the corresponding document about the image and phrase your answer in a way that demonstrates your comprehension of this document as it relates to the theory in the text.

Go to The Globe. Locate the countries of China, Bhutan, United Arab Emirates (all in Asia), Monaco (in Europe) and Togo (in Africa). Take a look at the lyrics for the National Anthems.

• What cultural values and beliefs are being exemplified in these lyrics for each country? Be specific and provide the exact lyrics you are referencing in your answer.

7.Tibet

Please check to see if the Image(s) you are being asked to review has a title. If there is a title, then I expect you to click on the title and read the corresponding document about the image and phrase your answer in a way that demonstrates your comprehension of this document as it relates to the theory in the text. Watch the Tibet video located in this folder (Module 1 – Cultural Differences). Summarize what is said in the video about the Tibetan culture as portrayed in the video clip. Summarize the video, not what Google says about Tibet.

8.Movie Clip

You have just viewed a scene from “The Last Samurai” starring Tom Cruise. Tom Cruise’s character (Nathan Algren) is a captain in the US army in 1876. He is asked to go to Japan and train Japanese soldiers to use modern weapons. He is captured in battle and lives in a small remote village in the mountains of Japan. Here he is exposed to the traditions of the samurai (such as loyalty to one’s master, self discipline and respectful, ethical behavior).

After many months of questioning the “culture” of his captures and saying such things as “no wonder you always look angry, you’re angry because they make you wear a dress” (referring to the kimono) Tom finally embraces this culture as exemplified in the scene.

• Take a look at the section in your text called Cultural Identity–explain what this is.
• Explain why one’s cultural identity changes with life experiences and relate it to this scene AND define what Cultural Identity is according to the text.

• https://online.fiu.edu/videos/?vpvid=676ce1b8-70a0-4e35-807d-a35b4dfc6e18
  

9.Thailand

John had recently been assigned to his agency’s Bangkok office. As first he was very impressed with the willingness shown by the people with whom he worked to carry out the program he was trying to implement. Soon, however, he discovered that his deadlines were not being met; people agreed to do something but didn’t always show up, materials would disappear from the workrooms but no one seemed inclined to find out what had happened to them. He was becoming increasingly frustrated and angry and was about ready to issue an ultimatum: “Shape up or ship out!” But his Thai supervisors didn’t seem to be at all upset, and kept saying to him, “Mai pen rai” which means “It doesn’t really matter” . . . “don’t worry about it.”

• What are Cultural Patterns according to the text—define.
• How does this scenario relate to what the text says about Cultural Patterns?

Hint to help you 

In the Thai culture, one of the hardest things to understand and reconcile is the dual attitude of “group harmony,” an emphasis on preserving the good feelings of everyone at all costs (e.g., telling you what they think you want to hear even if it stretches the truth) and a sense of “noninvolvement” which says that a persons actions are no one else’s concern. (The word Thai means “free”; and although it refers to national independence, it is a characteristic of the individual as well.) Thus, Thais are not inclined to accept discipline or regimentation, but at the same time Thais place great value on keeping relationships pleasant with co-workers.

This attitude is reflected in the expression “mai pen rai” which, according to one scholar, signifies “the Thai desire to keep relationships peaceful and on an even keel, to shrug off the little frustrations and disagreements of life & to prevent anger.”

A related value in the Thai way of life is the concept of sanuke, which means, “to enjoy oneself.” Life is meant to be enjoyment. And since Buddhism teaches them to accept their fate, when faced with a problem they tend to laugh it off mai pen rai.

John may want to first acknowledge and try to understand this cultural difference that getting the job done on time, within budget, etc., is not of the same importance to Thais as to Westerners in general, Americans in particular and then try to arrive at a solution which will be acceptable to both of them. His employees may wish to teach John about Thai culture and why they are accustomed to certain work habits.

10.Deaf Culture

• Would you consider two Americans communicating to be intercultural communication (assuming one of the Americans is hearing and the other is deaf)? Explain your rationale AND what the book says intercultural communication is.