American

Culture Directness/Openness/Honesty Warm-up: 1.) Imagine you had a presentation due in two days, and your partner (who is three years older than you) hasnt done anything to prepare. What would you say to him/her? a. What kind of language would you use? (In Korean, then translate it into English) b. What if the partner was younger than you? Reading: Go through the reading and circle any words that you dont know and keep reading. After finishing the reading, check with your partner and explain to them any of your partners circled words you know. Directness, Openness and Honesty Many other countries have developed subtle, sometimes highly ritualistic, ways of informing other people of unpleasant information. Americans, however, have always preferred the direct approach. They are likely to be completely honest in delivering their negative evaluations. If you come from a society which uses the indirect manner of conveying bad news or uncomplimentary evaluations, you will be shocked at Americans bluntness. If you come from a country where saving face is important, be assured that Americans are not trying to make you lose face with their directness. It is important to realize that an American would not, in such cases, lose face. The burden of adjustment, in all cases while you are in this country, will be on you. There is no way to soften the blow of such directness and openness if you are not used to it except to tell you that the rules have changed while you are here. Indeed, Americans are trying to urge their fellow countrymen to become even more open and direct. The large number of assertiveness training courses which appeared in the United States in the late 1970s reflects such a commitment. Americans consider anything other than the most direct and open approach to be dishonest and insincere and will quickly lose confidence in and distrust for anyone who hints at what is intended rather than saying it outright. Anyone who, in the United States, chooses to use an intermediary to deliver the message will also be considered manipulative and untrustworthy. Discussion: discuss the following with a partner. 2.) What does Face mean? (Consider, saving face, loosing face) What examples can you think of? 3.) Imagine the following situations. What would be a respectful way to give negative comments for a Korean and for an American? a. Your friend who is older than you, wants a date with your brother or sister, but you dont want them to meet. b. Your group is preparing a project for class. You think your partners ideas are bad and will get you a failing grade. They ask you for your opinion about their ideas.

Instructor: Joe Milan Jr. Material modified from: The Values Americans Live by By Robert Kohls

American Culture Directness/Openness/Honesty c. A very pretty/handsome classmate is auditioning for SuperStar K. But at the Karaoke room they sound terrible, they come to you asking for your opinion. d. Youre at a open air market. An old lady is trying to sell a tourist authentic Korean art for a ton of money. You know this is imported goods. e. Your boss at a company asks you to stay after work at the last minute. You have plans to meet a friend from outside the country. Earlier the boss promised to give you time off tonight. 4.) White lies are little lies about things that dont really matter. Can you think of any examples of white lies? 5.) Look at the following list. Which of these subjects do you think is okay/not okay to lie about? a. Health b. Money c. Relationships d. School work e. Job f. Family

Instructor: Joe Milan Jr. Material modified from: The Values Americans Live by By Robert Kohls