跨文化交际课程unit5

Case 2 Feeling Left-out
After graduating from Beijing International Studies University, Chen Liang Pursued an MA program at a university in Boston, the U.S. Early in the program. One day after class, his American friend, Dick, asked Chen to join him in the university cafeteria. On their way they ran into Dick's girlfriend, Lisa, who was on her way to lecture. Walking shoulder to shoulder, Dick and Lisa carried on an intimate conversation, as if they hadn't seen each other for ages. Meanwhile, Chen Liang was walking behind them, not taking part in the conversation. When they were nearing the cafeteria Lisa said she had to leave for the lecture.
So ...
What do these cases inspire us ?
Cultural Values, Cultural Dimension
Why do we need to contrast Cultural Values ?
Resolve conflicts, explain and understand cultural similarities and differences in behaviors.....
Comparison Between Chinese Values and Western Values (broad sense)

Differences in expressing gratitude
Chinese: seldom express their gratitude in public or in words Westerners: openly and directly express their gratitude
Differences in attitude toward women "Ladies First" has a long history in the West. But
in China there is no such a tradition.
In China, it is normally the elderly man who gets the service first, because hierarchy is prevalent in China and it is the elderly or the superior who is supposed to get special respect.
ቤተ መጻሕፍቲ ባይዱ
sometimes on broken Chinese. A few minutes later, Li Hua's father turned toward John, and asked a very direct question. He wanted John to tell him when he would marry Li Hua and where he was going to live and work. John, being a bit surprised at the question, replied that he hadn't thought about marriage. Li Hua's father got very upset and angry. He stamped his foot and asked John to leave. As John was about to leave, Li Hua's father warned him against seeing his daughter again. John left, without knowing what he had done to enrage the family.
Intercultural Communication
Lecture 5: Contrasting Cultural Values
Review

Verbal Communication
Culturally loaded words
Cultural reflections on proverbs and taboos
Question: How would you explain to Li Hua's parents about
the relationship between Li Hua and John? How could you explain to John Li Hua's parents' behavior?
John, 28 years old, an Australian Studying Chinese in Beijing, met Li Hua at a dance party. Li Hua, 22, took an instant liking to John the first time they met. As time went on, they saw more and more of each other. After six months or so, Li Hua suggested that John meet her parents. Since this was the first time John had visited a Chinese family, he became quite nervous the moment he was introduced to Li Hua's parents, elder sister and sister-in-law. Soon after serving him some Chinese tea and fruit, Li Hua's mother began questioning John about his background, his family and relatives, as well as his economic status. John did his best to answer all of the questions,

Small Power Distance Culture
Can you give some examples according to your experiences ?
Differences in symbolization
Symbolization is how people image or regard
something. It actually reflects the way people think.

comment: In public, the norms of expressing one's
feeling and affections toward the opposite sex varies across culture. In Asia and some countries around the Mediterranean Sea, it is acceptable to have body contact between the same sexes in public, but not between the opposite sexes, especially in front of the friends. Chen left because he felt awkward witnessing them hugging and kissing. This shows that Dick knows nothing about the natural response of the Chinese to certain behaviors. Similarly, Chen Liang's behavior shows that he is also in the dark about American behaviors.
For example: Red means luck and fortune in most Eastern cultures but stands for blood, revolution in the West. Blue means something noble or significant in the Western culture.

Cultural Dimensions Power Distance Individualism Versus Collectivism Masculinity Versus Feminity Uncertainty Avoidance
Warm-up cases
Case 1 I've Not Considered Marriage Yet
Cultural Dimensions
Power Distance
(权力距离)
Individualism VS Collectivism