Intro to Culture & Intercultural Faux Pas

Intro to Culture & Intercultural Faux Pas

WorldGeography2010-2011

WorldGeography2010-2011

What is culture?What is culture?

What is culture?What is culture?

features of a group of people’s way of life, passed down through generations by teachings, examples and imitation.

features of a group of people’s way of life, passed down through generations by teachings, examples and imitation.

How do cultures develop?How do cultures develop?Innovation:

creationInnovation:

creationDiffusion:

spreading of ideas.

Diffusion: spreading of ideas.

10%

90%

Culture Hearth:

Center of learning and innovation that diffuses to other regions

Cultural HearthsHearth: Where something originates

How does culture spread?How does culture spread?Migration

When people move, they take their clothing, food, religion, and language with them.

Migration

When people move, they take their clothing, food, religion, and language with them.

-Silk Road

Trade

-Columbian Exchange

AssimilationAssimilation

joining or fitting in with a larger culture.

(German descendants in the USA.)

joining or fitting in with a larger culture.

(German descendants in the USA.)

AcculturationAcculturation A culture

accepting an innovation or diffusion from another culture

A culture accepting an innovation or diffusion from another culture

Ethnocentrism: judging other cultures by the rules of your culture.

Xenophobia: fear of outsiders (limits diffusion)

“For more security.”

Elements of CultureElements of Culture

Language Language

Elements of CultureElements of Culture

ReligionReligion

Elements of CultureElements of Culture

Institutions Institutions

Ex. education, political/economic systems

Elements of CultureElements of Culture

technologytechnology

Elements of CultureElements of Culture

Beliefs and CustomsBeliefs and Customs

What is a Faux Pas?What is a Faux Pas?

From the French phrase faux pas, of the same meaning; composed of faux, “false”, and pas, “step”.

Basically, it is a violation of accepted social rules. What could be good manners in one culture could be a faux pas in another.

From the French phrase faux pas, of the same meaning; composed of faux, “false”, and pas, “step”.

Basically, it is a violation of accepted social rules. What could be good manners in one culture could be a faux pas in another.

Cultural Differences:Eating

Cultural Differences:Eating

In Korean and Chinese cultures, the practice of sticking chopsticks or spoons in a bowl of rice during the meal is a no, no. This is done only during memorial services. The action reflects death or bad luck.

In Korean and Chinese cultures, the practice of sticking chopsticks or spoons in a bowl of rice during the meal is a no, no. This is done only during memorial services. The action reflects death or bad luck.

Cultural Differences:Eating

Cultural Differences:Eating

In Norway, Malaysia and Singapore, it's rude to leave anything on your plate, but in Egypt, it's rude not to. If you finish a drink in Indonesia, it implies you'd like another.

In Norway, Malaysia and Singapore, it's rude to leave anything on your plate, but in Egypt, it's rude not to. If you finish a drink in Indonesia, it implies you'd like another.

Cultural Differences:Eating

Cultural Differences:Eating

When you buy a Coke on the street in Romania, you are only buying the liquid; you actually have to stand there while drinking and then promptly return the bottle!

When you buy a Coke on the street in Romania, you are only buying the liquid; you actually have to stand there while drinking and then promptly return the bottle!

Cultural Differences:Eating

Cultural Differences:Eating

In France, many chefs would be appalled if you ruined their culinary masterpieces with condiments like ketchup. So get used to your “prommes frites” without the ketchup.

In France, many chefs would be appalled if you ruined their culinary masterpieces with condiments like ketchup. So get used to your “prommes frites” without the ketchup.

Weird LawsWeird LawsSingapore

It is illegal to chew gum, feed birds,spit, and not flush the toilet.

The gum law was loosened in 2004,when they started to allow Nicorette.

Gambling was made legal in 2009, and you can now legally dance on top ofbars.

Fines will run you ~$100.

South AmericaSouth America

Brazil

Be careful in Brazil, even if you are a married man. Women are very forward and aggressive romantically.

Brazil

Be careful in Brazil, even if you are a married man. Women are very forward and aggressive romantically.

Cultural Differences:Addressing someone by

name

Cultural Differences:Addressing someone by

nameIn China, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, people relate

formally, on a last-name basis.

In China, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, people relate formally, on a last-name basis.

In China, the last name is spoken first, followed by the "first" name. For instance, Chen Yung Po would be Mr. Chen.

People in Thailand, Fiji and Israel call one another by their first names, as they do in Iceland, where the telephone directory is alphabetized according to first name.

Cultural Differences:Eye Contact

Cultural Differences:Eye Contact

In American culture, direct eye contact during a conversation shows respect and intensive listening; avoiding it is a sign of nervousness or lying. But for Koreans, avoiding direct eye contact is the only acceptable way to hold a conversation. Koreans may think you’re bold, impolite or even aggressive if you are looking right at them when speaking.

In American culture, direct eye contact during a conversation shows respect and intensive listening; avoiding it is a sign of nervousness or lying. But for Koreans, avoiding direct eye contact is the only acceptable way to hold a conversation. Koreans may think you’re bold, impolite or even aggressive if you are looking right at them when speaking.

Cultural Differences:Touching

Cultural Differences:Touching

In Thailand, no matter how adorable they are, resist the urge to pat a child on the noggin. It is taboo to touch someone on the head, as it is a revered part of the body.

In Thailand, no matter how adorable they are, resist the urge to pat a child on the noggin. It is taboo to touch someone on the head, as it is a revered part of the body.

Cultural Differences:Relaxation/Posture

Cultural Differences:Relaxation/Posture

Whether on desks, coffee tables or just lounging on the couch, the act of putting one’s feet up may be a sign of relaxation in our culture. However, this action, especially showing the sole of the shoe to someone, is considered unclean and one of the greatest of insults in Arabic cultures.

Whether on desks, coffee tables or just lounging on the couch, the act of putting one’s feet up may be a sign of relaxation in our culture. However, this action, especially showing the sole of the shoe to someone, is considered unclean and one of the greatest of insults in Arabic cultures.

Cultural Differences:Facial Gestures

Cultural Differences:Facial Gestures

Chin Flick:In Italy, it signifies

“Buzz off” or “not interested.”

In Brazil and Paraguay, it means “I don’t know.”

Chin Flick:In Italy, it signifies

“Buzz off” or “not interested.”

In Brazil and Paraguay, it means “I don’t know.”

Cultural Differences:Facial Gestures

Cultural Differences:Facial Gestures

Licking your lips:No matter how

parched your lips are in the Zimbabwe heat, never lick them while looking at someone of the opposite sex. It is considered an obscene gesture.

Licking your lips:No matter how

parched your lips are in the Zimbabwe heat, never lick them while looking at someone of the opposite sex. It is considered an obscene gesture.

Your Chinese host gives you his business card. What do you do then?

Exchanging cards is a very important tradition. You should offer and accept cards with both hands. Read it and then put it away. Do not write anything on it. It should be in the native language on one side and English on the reverse.

After a long day’s travel, you are in Bulgaria. You make a great presentation and ask your Bulgarian interpreter what they think.

Before he can translate, the Bulgarian businessman starts to shake his head side to side.

What is he saying?

I can’t understand a word you are saying.

Yes, the deal sounds very interesting.

It is time to offer the customary bribe for doing business in Bulgaria.

Cultural Differences:Hand Gestures

Cultural Differences:Hand Gestures

Fingers Circle:Known as the

American “okay,” it is seen in Brazil and Germany as VERY vulgar and obscene.

In Japan, it signifies “money.”

In France, it means “zero” or “worthless.”

Fingers Circle:Known as the

American “okay,” it is seen in Brazil and Germany as VERY vulgar and obscene.

In Japan, it signifies “money.”

In France, it means “zero” or “worthless.”

Cultural Differences:Hand Gestures

Cultural Differences:Hand Gestures

When in India, don’t call someone over by pointing or wagging your finger. Instead, hold your hand out, palm down, and scoop with your fingers. You’ll have much better results.

When in India, don’t call someone over by pointing or wagging your finger. Instead, hold your hand out, palm down, and scoop with your fingers. You’ll have much better results.

When cutting food, what do we Americans do that Europeans consider odd?

We hold fork with the left hand, cut with the right, then switch the fork to the right hand. Europeans don’t switch the fork over.

How could the “peace sign” get you punched in the nose in London?

Careful, the reverse “peace sign” is the equivalent of flipping someone off.

Cultural Differences:Hand Gestures

Cultural Differences:Hand Gestures

Thumbs up, like the OK symbol, is a positive symbol in American culture, but this same gesture is an offensive Iraqi insult, equivalent to using the middle finger in the Western world. Some media savvy Iraqis may understand the Western meaning of an upturned thumb as well is OK, but other Iraqis may see the gesture in its traditional sense.

Thumbs up, like the OK symbol, is a positive symbol in American culture, but this same gesture is an offensive Iraqi insult, equivalent to using the middle finger in the Western world. Some media savvy Iraqis may understand the Western meaning of an upturned thumb as well is OK, but other Iraqis may see the gesture in its traditional sense.

Gig ‘em!