- Cross-Cultural Contact with Americans There aire so:miany kinds of Apietseaie ther {can't tell you eny- thing about then!” New Dinmighatt m the United States “You vant always know wo the Aineiicans ane in-foteigh ciun- tries: They have.a way of walking, a way of talking, a way of issn, and thay el fale ‘at -yout even if they-don’t know you!" Intotsiattonol Busiriessperéon Pre-leading Discussion 4, Is it possible to desetibe Americans in a few words? Using three adjactives, try to-deserihe the Americans you have met. 7 2, After you have answered the question above, discuss whether it was gasy of difficult to. think of the adjectives, Did you and the other students desutibe Americans similarly?—-—___—_—_3,-What are re sume basic beliefs and values of Americans? Give exam: ples to support your answer, |. When you meet people from other countries, haw do you know whether theit behavior is personal or cultural? For example, let's say you see three Americans who ere behaving in a way that is unusual to you. How can you. decide whether their behavior is typically American? s 7 Pre-Heading Vocabulary 4, Definitions 8. mainstreati culture: the values, beliefs, anid behavior of the dominant group in a society, The behavior of the group is basedon its values and beliefs. b, individual behavior; the actions aiid activities of ane person Discussion: What ate som examples of malistream culteral bohavior and beliefs im-your country of oxigin? How do you think an Ainerican would answer this question? Definitions @ generalization: a statemant describing general behavior that does not apply all the time. b, stereotype: an oxaggorated belief about a group often based on a lack of iifoimation of contact srith mombors of that group Discussiom What are some generalizations about Ameticatis that you have heard? What are some-positive. and negative stereotypes about Americans? we ‘3, Defiuitions . tielting’pot (literally, a pot that is used to heat dings until they turn into liquid): a society in which ethnic groups blend and become one group +b, siosaié (literally, a picture or design made with small bits of colared stone; glass, or tile): a society in which ethnic groups retain: their separate identities but together form the: larger community Discussion: Which do you think is more desirable: a multicultural society that is more like a melting pot or. more like a mosaic? Explain your answer. eCross-Cultural Contact with Americans § 4, Definitions (Note: The terms “minority” and “majority have two _/__inteanings) 8, minority: (f) a umber thet fs less than one-half of the total nunibor; (ii) a group that is not part of the langer dr more pow- erkul group: b, majority: (i) a number that is more then one-half of the total numibers (ii) & group that is larger or more powerful than, othor eroupe : . Discussion; Do you kiow what major chatige tolated to minanity and majority populations is taking place, in somo parts of the United: States? 5, Definitions a, romogensous: siad’ up of atte group; having’ members that ate all the sme b, Reteregeneous: thade up of a variety of groups; having mam- bets that ate ot all the same Discussion: Is the population in your native: country homoge ‘hheous op heterageneous? IFtt ts heteriigaieous, discuss the ethuic groups that makeup the society, Slimming: For General Informarian To got the general idea of the:reiding that follows: 4, Read the titles and headings of the seotfens, 2 Read the fiist and last paragraphs of the reading, . From your skinning, answer the following: Is it possible to desorihe Americans? Scanning: For Specific Information ‘To find specific information in-the reading, look for clues such as certain words and tumbers, Scan the reading to find the enswers to the following: 1, Find the paragraph whore the question, "is it possible ta describe Americans?” is answered, Exactly where did you find the answer? 2, Can a majority become a minority? To answer this question, find the paragraph with information about California inthe yeas 2010.& — Cross-Cultural Contact with Americans Reading Text fel 10 Gross-Cultural Contact with Americans unevican” he Tenn “ Ip it possible to daseribe Americans as a cultural group? Your answer may depend on how many Americans you know aad whether you have spent a lot of time-tn the United States. In eithor case, you may be tempted to answer simply, “Yes, it is possible.” or “No, i is impossible,” It is a complex question to'answer. There ate so many types of Americans, and yet a “mainstream: “culture does exist. Even the word “American” confusing. After all, America consists of two huge continents, end includes North America, Central America, and South Ametica, Technically; “Americans” could dexcrihe, for exam ple, Brazilians, Aigentineans, and Costa Ricans, The torm “North Americans" is also inadequate, because il includes Mexicans end Canadians as well as people in the United States, Unfortuiately, there fs so. adequate word to use to label poople from the United States. The torm “United Statesian” is hard to pro- nounee.and sounds “awkward. tn this book, we shall uae. ‘the term. “American® to desesibe the peopls wha were bom and raised i the United States. We recognize that language usoge is sensitive, and $0 ‘we apologize to any Americans not fromthe United States, such as h aus or Argentineans, who might find this application af the term “offensive: A Description of Americans: Is It Possible? Tf you don’t now-mianyy Anieticans, you miay have a mental “hmage of who these people are. Most lkely, you saw Americans in the movies or on television. Perhaps you have met only a few Americans ‘or have mostly just read about then, It nay be that this mental image is an accurate picture of some Americans, Or, ik may be ‘that the picture in your mind is far from accurate, Often, at wuiderstand- ing of people trom other cultiires is based on stereotypes or uneiges from the mass media (television, movies, newspapers, For example, some international tourists or inmigrants in the United Statas are net aware of the “poverty and “homelessiiess in this.coun- tr}. Some people are also surprised to see that Americans ure of so mialy “raves, religions, and.educatioual levels, in this book, you will be reading many “generalizations about Americans, Some people might argue that it is impossible te gertoral- ize about Ameticans, Americans do not come from a common3 “ancestor: Except for Americans: come from ‘different “iminigrant and Srefugee groups, Americans do have @ cotimon *heritaga, but it is based on cultural “diversity, of *multiqulturalism. Yet despite this niulticullureliam, it is still possible to talk in. terms of an “Ameritan culture.” “Melting Pot” and “Mosaic” Ameiicans’ views of thelr own: diversity have changed over tho years, In. the early to mid-19008, some people described America a9. a °“nelting pot.” The belief was that ethnic groups and reces would eventtially completely “assimilate and become one group. This description is not very accurate, however, because ethnic groups havo always been difforent from one another. Many could not and did not want to melt away their identities. Some people still prefer Tho proferrod tettn #s "Nativé'Bmetican.*Cross-Cultural Contact with Americans ize-the—_-.— - ¢ the United States as a “melting pot-perhape-to-minin {ferences and diversity that exist, fF By the 1970s and 1980s, a better America's multicultural society was described as a “mo which all the races. énd etlnic groups could be proudly displayed. ‘Each group was seen as separate and distinct, but contributing its own color, shape, and design toward the ereation of an attractive: mosaic, “Hyphenated terms such as.“Mexicai-Amoricin,” “Asian American,” “Arab-American,” “Jewish-Amerioen,” and “Atvic Atmeiicin” reflect a general acknowledgment that cultural diversity exists, and show that a person can be an. Amer d still maintain 40 another cultural identity. {ce} In this textbook, we shall not desoribe, for the most part, Amieticans who belong to specific ethnic or “minority group However, to understand the changing face of the “Ameri remember that in some. parts of the countty, the whilte majority has 3 baconte the minority. (Demographers estimate, for exemple, that by the year 2010, whites and Hispanics in California will eax fate 32 potcottt of the population, In.Sau Francisco's public schoals, whites are alteady a minority. Almost 40 peroent of the students im these schools do not speck English fluently, More than 20 percent of 10 New York City's population was hora outside of the United States. Tn several other cities in the United States, nisinbers of minority groups elso outmumber those who are white. ‘ahelogy was introduced:1 iB a (l—When youwe desaribing tha “Cross-Cultural Contact with Americans 9 types and Generalizations vhite, “middle a African-American (1.¢,, black), the Asian-American, the Native American, of the Maxican-American, it is important not to rely on _. stereotypes. Stereotypes are exaggerated beliefs and imagas about groups of people and are often baged on a lack of information or con- tact. I is easy to overgeneralize and apply the actions and bel of a few people from a particular group to the entire group. An “indi yidnal may observe, for exanipla, five people from one gtoup acting similarly, If he then says, “All poople from that group act liko that." he is guilty of stereotyping. You can hear sch comments as, “They ate all like that,” and “That's what they do,” about any cultural group: For some reason, people all aver the world *tend to divide society into “wa” and “they.” Positive chai “we” and negative ones to “they” (although some stereotypes can be positive as. well). ‘Yet it is posaible to make some generalizations about cultural groups that are true, If this were not possible, we would not even be40 Cross-Culharal Ce tiact with Americans -Wwe_must. assiuing— on, Many (and 3s, Howevt the general at all. culty in a énltiure media dees not always fairly povtay members of American minesity groups. For eapla ‘cans are shown only who are noither anton sain, vibeton, nor G1 rly, the American media hasn't always treated forsignors or members of eth- nie’ grovips fairly. ple, the: Atab has offen been portrayed as althet a wealthy sheik or a terrorist, the Fronehman as a “womaniz- ex.” and the Native American as a wild warrior, However, in the United States, thiete ane now citizen organizations as well as political groups that condemn and, thetefore, infliencé the media when a gronp has beer wrongly represented. This typeof orgattized. reaction(Kk) 10 1 Ina multi, to the needs of many ethnic groups. Mainstream American Values With such (retmendous diversity in the United States, including regional diversity (the North, the South, the West, the East), is it pos- sible-to make generalizations.gbout the people of this °yast country? ‘Yes, it is possible. Thero.aze still mainatioam values that reflect the. majority culture, Because of itermatttage andthenatural process of “Americanization,” many people from. almost every athnic group in America do reflect aspocts of the mainstream culture. It is natural that.“Americanization” will take place, By the time an immigrant group is in its second and third generation in the United States, it Gften places less emphasis on the traditional culture, Affer all, every one in the United States is exposed to the seme educational systam, the same political system, the seme econdiiic system, and, perhaps ‘iost importantly, the saing mass média, tv, we -poonls rmmst learn fo eeome inate ngly sensitive —az Cross-Cultural Contact with Americans Lh Os] 10 IN] ‘There is no question that it is harder to desctibe Americans as a group than it is to describe more “homogeneous groups. For exam- ple, the Japanese often. say, “We Japanose do this... ." or “We Japanese believe that...” This is not to say that everyone is alike in Japan, for there are generational, political, and social differences, Nevertheless, Japan is a largely homogeneous culture with only a small percentage of minorities, It iz less common to hear, “We Americans do-this ...” 6r“We Americans believe that...” Many ‘Amoticans fool thet to be grouped as one people is an insult to their sonse of individuatism. Yet, if Americans are compared to people in ather cultural groups, definite differences in valves and behavior are obvious. Many Americans, although certainly not all, hold similar ‘values; their behavior and actions reflect these values. A Foreign “Anthropologist’s Observation of Americans Sometimes it is difficult to desoribe the values. or ideals of a culttixe from within that culture. However, if one-were-to look at the culture from. tha outside, certain observations could be made more easily. {¢ ig important to understand American values if you want to under stand. American behavior, Certain ways of thitiking, acting, and coni- niuficating are 4 direct result of cultural values, The following list of ‘values oan oasily describe many Americans (even a majority of Americans). For each entry in the list of American values, a “con~ izasting value" is given. This opposite value may: be found among some’ Aitericatis (particularly those belonging to certain ethnic groupis}; but for the most.part is mors typical of people in other non- western cultures of the world, American Values 1, Personal control over the environment: People can alter nature, ‘and, to a large-°axtent, can deterntine the direction of their lives, Contrasting value—Pate: What happens in life'is anesilt of a grand plan or destiny, 2, Change: Change is healthy. People °stagnate if they don’t make enough changes, ne Contrasting valtte—Tradition: proservation and eniphasis of ritu- als, customs, and beliefs from the past. 3, Control over time: Time flies. People are pressured and con- strained by time because they are trying to control it: People shouldn't waste or Kill time. They muat fash to get things done, They must follow their schedules to be productive,al Ss Be 2 19, i. Cross-Cultural Contact with Americas 13 Contrasting value-Tiine. walks There is-no-need for people to feel so pressured, They should take it easy! - —— Equality and egalitarianism: All people are created equal, (Remeuiber: This is a value or ideal, not a fact) Contrasting value—Hierarchy, rank, status: People’s roles are defined in terms of their relationships to other people: peaple are mostly either subordinate to or superidr tv someone else, Individualism and privacy mary. 2% Contrasting value~Group orléiitation; The individual sacrifinas his or her needs to thoss of the group. SelEhelp: People can and should try to improve their own. lives. Many middle- and upper-class Americans have the belief that people can “pull themselves up by their awn: bootstraps,” Gonttosting value—Birthright inhéritetice: People are born into either wealth or poverty; they can’t change thelr status in fa, Fubite otientation: Look to the future and iat tthe past, Contrasting value—Past or present orientation: People should live for today or for their ancestors; they should live according totradition, a eS Action and work orientation: Wark often delines people: thett identities comie from what they do. (Don't fast stand there! Do something!) . Contiasting value—Being” orientation: Work ig not the canter of pooplo’s identity; it 1s acceptable not to focus on work, accomplishments, and achievenients, Individual needs are.considesed pri- } informality: First name usage (“Just call mo Bob."), caeuel slothes, and the lack of formal rituel are typical in Ametican ifs, Contrasting value—Formality: Use of titles and last names are continion, Péople are restrained and polite with each other, Directness, openness, and honésty: Honesty is the best policy. People should express themselves openly. It ts not considered good to “beat around the bush,” Contrasting value—Indirectness and “saving face”: People should consider ong another's feelings when deciding what to say. Honesty is not always the best policy, Materialism: Tendency to be more concerned. with material than with spiritual or intellectual goals.14 fol % ultural Contact with Americans fhe philosophy that all reality ——€orivasting valve—Spirituslis al is as important, ig spiritual and that nothing mai Individualism and Pefwacy Lot’s look at a few of these valites mote closely, One of the “guiding principles in Atterican-soctoty is the value of individnaliom, which hag a Jog political-and historieal basis, This aspects of typically “Amorican” behavior and attitudes, inchid the-attitude toward privacy, 5 wiéts do not underatand the American “brand” af prive ntple, let's lock at whatBuy Dr * 10 ‘al a 10 rd Cross-Cultural Contact with Americas 15 sometimes happens when American businesspeople go to Japatt. ‘Their Japanese counterparts meet, them at the airport, and often, from the beginning of the tip to the and, they take care of the Americans, rarely leaving them alone, Afler a cerlain point, many Ariavicans feel that they want to he alone and that they tised mare: oprivacy, It is not uncommon io hear an American say something like, “They are really nica and friendly, and they take good care of me, but I just want some tinte to myself. Americans want and value privaéy. Privacy, to aii Amietican,. does not mesn “isolation-or loneliness. However, this fs sometimes: the way it is interpreted by people of different-cultures. Certain lan. guages, such as Arabic, Russian, and Japanese, dé not even, have an, exact word for privacy. It dows not meun that these cules have no: contept of privacy, However, wheat and how pilvacy Is expiessed ‘nay. be different.from when and how the “American” concept is expressed, Americans may feel the neéd to give people their privacy: or fo have their own privacy at dimes when a person from another cultine might ‘not feel the need, In some American howies, parents and children do not enter each otters’ rooms without first. knocking, This emphasis on. privacy exists bocauss individuals feel that their novds:inust be respected, In coitrast, in group-orlented soeietles peo~ ple respect the neods of the group before considuring those, of the individual. Equility and Egolitarianism Another Amiorican value is the ideal of equality, Americans; unlike many people from othor cultural groups, like to present an image: that everyone is equal, For example, employees often call their boss- és by their first names and can. even sometimes joke freely with the president of the company. This inforinal behavior and communica: tion, pvvur among peopla at-all levels in the business and political worlds. Obviously, Kowever, the company président has miote power than a lower-level employee (not {o mention a higher salary!).. Despite this, many Amoricans choose not to ba overly polite and for- mal with a person of a higher °status. Instead, many Americans would rather think of the boss as én equal. In other words, the American tendency: is to minimize status differences rather than to amphasize them, Future Orientation Another American value is future orlentation, Americans, on the whole, look to the future rather than the past. Tradition and ritual, reminders of the past, play a small part in most Americans’ daily16 Cross-Cultural Contact with Americans Is} tr lives, is instead a focus on progress and change, goals thal many Americans try to achieve. Many people feel optimistic that thoy can be responsible for some progress and change (however small) in their lives, This is also related to the American hellef in personal control over otie’s onvironment (and one’s life), and the emphasis on “doing” and acting, Again, these American values are easier to understand in Scon- ‘mast'to the beliefs of cultures in which fate plays a idore important tole. For exsimple, you can often hear in Mexico, “Que sard, serd,” or in the Philippines, “Bahala na” (both translate to “Whatever will be, will be”), and in the Arab world, “In shwalla* (*Whatever Gad wills”), Anvericans' do not us¢ such expressions neatly as-often as metnbers of some other culhures, Z Values such as the ones just described are the backbone of American culture. They influence howamany Americans think and act. One challenge of cross-cultural communication with Americans is to be able to figure out the difference between culhwal behavior and individual behavior, and, when’ you meet Ainericants from vari- ous ethni¢ groups, to decide if and how they reflect their bieultural American identity, You will ptohably-discover that you ave conting- ally changing and *refloing your generalizations about Americatis, Comprehension Questions* 4. As itis ued in this book, the term “American” refére toy [A,B] a. North Americans, including Canadians, b. people who were born and raised in the United Statos. c, South Americans only, 2. According to the authors: [D] . it is impossible to make generalizations about Americans be- cause they-are so diverse, . Americans do not come from 4 common ancestor and so there is no “American” culture, even though the Aimerioan s0Giaty 18 Multicultural, thers is a “niainstream” American culture, e 3. The “melting pot” view of America’s diversity implies that: {R} a, ethnic groups were able to lose their cultural identity in order to assimilate, b, it is better for ethnic groups to retain their cultural identity, "Tho capital Jotters in brackets refor to the corresponding paragraphs in the reading.= * = Cross-Cultural Contact with Ame c. people are so different that they canmot form a single group. As applied to American soclety, tho analogy of the “mosaic” implies that: [E] a. each group can contribute positively to the society without losing its cultural identity, b, ethnic groups are foo different from each other and will always have problenis. G, Titthhers of ethnie gtoups cannot bo American and also ‘keep ‘théir cultural identi By. the year 2010, the white majority will: [G] 4, beocmethe minority in jhe United States: bi hesome the minority in California, cy become the minority in. New York, Which of the following statomonts dogs not cortedtly describe a stereotype? a. A Siecéotype can. be positive or egative, but-is.neually nege- ‘Live. by. A stoicorppo is an overgerieralization abouta gioup of ‘peo- pla, : G. “A stereotype is 4 careful observation about-some people iti a Particular group, Which statement best describes kow the Anierican media has, uatilrecently, portrayed cultural grovps? [J] A, The American media has'bebn careful stot to cteate stereo- types-ahout ethiric groups. b, ‘The American media has always boeii sensitive to the reac tions of political and cultural groups. ¢, The American media, Hike the media in other countries, has caeated images of certain groups that are very stereotypical, }. Whatis one reason that {t is possible to-make generalizations about América cultute despite the diversity in the United States? [KC] ‘The same educational institutions, political system, sconomy, and mass niedia play a part in the “Ameritanization" of most people living in the United States, All immigrants nuust lear America history before they oan become citizens: . ‘There are no differences among the ethnic groups, and together they form an “American” culture, = = °18. Cross-Cultural Contact with Americans 6, Wry is it important to undovetand cultural v 3 Th 12, TBR 1a, Ml) ctive, a. Cultural values are interesting from an historical pons b, Cultural values change slowly as cultures change. ¢. Cultural. valuoe influence and guide behavior. Which of the following would not be considered mainstream American values? [NJ a& hierarchy, tradition, and spiritualisn b, independence, informality, and-sélthelp ¢, egalitarianism, individualism, and an emphasis on future time The relationship of individvalism to attitudes and practices tegaitling privacy is ani example off [0] a, how people inst chatige theit values to adapt to another eul- fare, ‘b, how values‘may be different across cultures. c. how values affeet behavior and attitudes. ‘The fact that in Russian and Japanese there is no exact transla: tion for the word “privacy” iheans that: [P] 4. Russians and Japanese do not need privany. ‘b. Riissfang arid Japanese cannot have privacy because they live in‘small homies. ‘. Russians and Japanese may have a different concept of pri- vaty. ‘The American ideal of equality means that; [Q] a, in the United States, everyone is equal, b, in the United States; the goal is equality. oy in the United States, eumployess and their bosses have no status differences, Pedple can better understand their own cultural values if [$} a, they compare then with the values ofa different culture. >. they compare them with the values of individuals fron the same culfure. 6, they read about values in a sociology textbook. Discussion Questions Students should preparo their answers to the following questions before class discussion.Cross-Cultural Contact with Americans 19 —__4In Paragraph A, the authors ask, "Is it possible to describe Amey u tr icans.as.a.cultusal group?” On whiat does tha.answer dopond? 2, "To whom do the authors apologize in Paragraph B, and why? 3. by Patagtaph D, the authors say that some people might argue ‘that it is impossible to generalize about Amexioans, Why is this? Jn Paragraphs B and.F, the authors discuigs the “melting pot” and “mosaic” analogies in reference to America’s diverse sootaty. What is the difference between tha two analugias? in Paragraph G, the anthors discuss gotte of the population changes occurring tithe United States, In one or two sentenies, summarize the main point of this paragraph, &, Aveoriling to the authors’ statements in Paragraphs H and I, what is the difference between a generalization and a stereo» ‘typet a According to the discussion in Paragraph J, how has the media portrayed American minority groups aid foreigners? Has this depiction boan positive or negative? th Paragraph K, the authors tise the word “Amiericanization,” How do people become “Americanized”? Be specific, Discuss the values. listed in Paragraph N. ‘Try 16 give an oxataple of at loast one beliavior of attitude that xoflects each. value. Jn Paragraph O, the authors discrise tha American value of indi- vidualism. According to them, how does this value alfeet the oxpotionse of American busitesspedple tn Japan? . According to. Paragraph P, is Amtertcan sociely oriented toward the group oF the individual? How might this affect people's behavior? 2. In Patageaph Q, the authors distiss behavior and stile of cam munication, Doss the American ideal. of equality result in formal ot less formal behavior in the work place? > cad a » e a Vocabulary Exercises Vocabulary List As you read the vocabulary list below, firid two or three words you al lneadly know, Give their definitions, Paragraph A Paragraph B Paragraph C mainstream. culture —_awkwird iriage culture offensive stereotypes poverty homelessness races2 Cross-Cultural Contact willt Americans --—- Paragraph D Paragraph 5 generalizations melting pot ancestor ethnic native assimilate immigrant refugee heritage diversity multiculturalism Paragraph G Paragraph H aninority middle class demographers individual tend, Paragraph K Pawagraph L vast homogeneous second generation Paragraph. N Paragraph O extent guiding stagnate Paragraph @ Paragraph R status optimistic Paragraph T refining A. Multiple Chatce Paragraph F analogy mosaic hyphenated terms Paragraph J mass media exposure Paragraph M anthropologist Paragraph P isolation. Paragraph contrast Choose the word that best defines the italicized ward. 4, Marie thinks that staring is offensive, {B] a, awkward b, rude ©. acceptable d, intolerable 2. Marie fools awkward tolling Paul he is rude, [B] a. uneasy b. sick c. difficult d. offensive‘ross-Culiural Contact with Americans 24 3. A mental image is something we'see in ons mind’s eye. (C} sawing =e. idea ‘by picture d. thonght 4, Soime people believe that all ethnic groups will assiuitlate, [E} a, disappear Gi separate b. fall apart d, hegome like the mainstream group 5) Théte are many inimigrant groups in this vast country. {K} a mniked oy diverse b big di old : & If people do nat change, they will stagnate, (NI a separate slay the same b. die d. become angry 7. Many people.fecl optimistic that there will be world peace. [RY ‘a: Lropetal B good bs happy d, wishful B,. Matching ‘Mateh the words with thetr deflattions, Elave the letter of the dfs Aiton th Ue space noxt to the word, Tega ancestors a. a potson who lives whore he er ‘aati she was boca : : b, péoplexelated to yout in history s+ inintlgrad 6, groupe of peoplerwho share chia ce TACOS acteristics, ancestors, and a her- itage 4. a person who has-léft bis or het own country and gone to another 2 diversity. a, a variety of cultures or ethnic. a. multioulaelism soups b. variety —— heritage 2 alike or shinilar <— homogeneous 4. background, historyCultural Contact with Americans 3, —— demographer _ _—-. anthropologist 4, —. mainstream culture — mosaic a. hinotity —— middle cless 5. mass media. ~. hyphenated terms generation suucn second generation _—~ thelting pot —— majority ——- isolation oe Slaluis €. Word Yarns a b a 2 pe & as a be a r popu tions and their movements a perscin who studias culture and the history of people a gtoup simaller than ‘the majori+ the values, beliefs, and actions of the dominant social group neither rich nor poor a pictite or design made of small bits of glass, stone, or tle ‘words used togethr to express a specific idea TV, magazines, movies, and radio; adveftisements and com- munication technigés that influence people about thirty years aterm describing immigrants: who have beentin a new country fortwo generations (sixty years) position in society group with more numbers and power then others: a society in which ethnic groups blend and become one . the: state of being set apart, separateness Choose the correct word form for each sentence, 4. stereotype, stereotypes, stereotypical [C} a, —__________ remarks can start arguments, b. IEyou person. someone, you may be wrong about the, There are many 2) poverty; pont impai a, The b, people cannot fight alone, ~ 1s a problem that faces the world, © Shoulda goverment ______ its citizens? 4, honieless, homelessness iC) @ Ifthe government Wants, to end, it must do. something to help. b. Theré ae many _. people in downtown San Francisco. ae 4, ethnic, ethnicity [8] a should not niake a difference when a person is looking for a job. b, Soma people believe that. - si a groups will evans tually assitnilate, 5, cutive, cultursl, culmres [A] a: “Aftericin, is different from othars, deliaks. b, Bohavior often expresses — @ The authors sey that there. are both mainstream and minority aoe in America, 6. to gonevalize, generalizations, general [D] a. If you only believein think for yoursolf, 4B, Wiséesy banaue people tend to put things in categories, » you may forget how to & In » Wo should all pay attention to how our-val- ‘ues affect our behavior, 7, analogy, analogous [F] # Agood_____.__ cen help people understand a con- cept. b, Being in a elassroom is eum; itis a place to explore, to being in a mus-24 | Cross-Cultural Contact with Americans 8, oxposur, oxposs, exposed {I Sees eee a, When.Chen was young, his paronts him to a variety of music. b, Chen will .___.__. his own children to a variety of music. o Too much to the sun can cause a sunburn, $, éxtent, extensively, extensive {N] a. The student went to the library to do —_..--__._.. research for her paper, ‘b, You can improve your grades to-a great if you study hard, , She tend —____. about the world economy. Dy Definitions Choose the correct word for the definitions from the list below. Then fill in the blatiks in-the sentences following the definitions. Note: You muy have io chatiga the grammatiod! form of the word used in the sentence, individual [H] tend TH guiding {0] contrast [8] refining [7] 4, Definition: opposition You may understand me better if I explain my beliefs in 2. to your belie’s. 2. Definition: person; huinan being ————___ Every. is different, = 3 Definition: to be likely or inclined 7 L to eat at sestaurants. when J am too busy to cook, 4, Definition: making better; improving Ifyou, want —__ your mannérs, you should start by being respectful.Cross-Cultisnal Contact with Americans 25 dain; leading My- patents’ advice tras times. Conversational Activities ‘A. Obsorvations in Andther Cultnte ‘What people observe and how they interpret their observations are. influenced by both cilture and parsonal biases. When. one is living hn another country, the ability to observe as objectively as possible canhelp one understand that culture, Two kinds of observations that‘can be made ate descriptive and judgmental, For example: Descriptive Meny-childven. in, the United. Stetes move away ftom their par, ents at.ahout age eighteen or nineteen, (Objective description) Judamental Many childven in the United States doa’t Tike their patents, so they move away at age eighteen or ninetown: (Negative and * offen incorrect judgment) ‘The putpose of this activity is to differentiate between descrip- tive and judgniental observations: 1, Working in small groups, make a list of throe to five observations of another oulture.* Include observations-on family, nonverbal aiid verbal communication, food, dress, education, friendships, and so on, 2, Write the observations on the board or read them to the class, 3, Decide with the class which observations are descriptive and which are judgmental 4, individually or in small groups, reword the judgmental observa. tions to make them descriptive and objective. ‘if you are teaching English as a fordiga language abroad, the stidents with no experi fence ia another culture may itake statements based an what they have heard ind soon {eg, on television) ma through difficult26 Cross-Cultural Contact with Americans _B, Cross-Cultural Communication is ‘The purpose of this exercise is to enable you to identify shared areas of culture with fellow class members or with others from different backgrounds. When pedple fiom different cultuzas come in. contact, the degraa of shared background varios. For example, ihe United States and France shave more areas of culture than thé Ubited States and India do. This can be illustrated as follows? The striped area where thé. clicles overlap represents what some people in-tho United States and France have,in common (cer tain words; some fonds, dress, certain values, art, and religion). The white areas represent they do not share (certain customs, styles of communication, ete), iq ‘The United States and India have lesa in comiton than the Untited States and Franicé, This can be illusttated as follows:: Cross-Cultural Contact with Americans 27 ‘The striped area represents what the United States and India have ia : common (colonial heritage, political elections), The white areas rep» tesont what people in each country do not hava in common (reli~ gicn, communication siyle, family structure, dress, foods, art, etc.) Discuss i, What would two circles representing the United, States and Canada look lke? “ane 2, How would two circles‘représenting what the United States aiid Maxico share look like? : : Activity: Working in pairs, make'two lists showing areas ta which two cultures are both similar and different. Bo specific, For example, a list comparing Japan and the United States might look as follows: Simailar Different Covertihent Religious influorices Economy Childmaising Discuss According to. your List, how might the differenods in culture affect in¢tividuals® behavior end attitudest Try to he specific. C. Cultural Differences Inthe previous activity, overlapping dirclos illustrated arvas of sini: latities and differences telated to mainstream cultures fa two coun- irles, Two specialists in cross-cultural comimunication have pro- duced the following “unrefined” scale to illustiate cultural differotices in another way. Directions: Look over the scale on p, 28; Read the note of explana- tion, Answer the quastious that follow.a8 Cross-Cultural Contact with Americans Scale of Cultural Differences aot {Most ifierenl Waster, i Asian Tealian eB Saudi Aebian U8. American Bite Greek U.SAmerican 28 German White American 2g Ethnic Aimetivani* 1,8, American. Se British Note: Wo ara using this seale to stimulate discussion about intercul- turral ond: dntraculinral differences. Students should feel roo to dis- cuss the validity of the scale, It is difficult to compare:whole oul- fires Tather than aspects of cultures: The scale, therefore, is arbitrary (or as the authors have said, “uurefined”).9 This point must be stressed. Discussion Activity 1, Do you egroe with the way the scale sefitesonts cultural differ: ences? Be specific. 2, Draw a alo illustrating the following: a, The mainstream culture in your country of otigin as compared to three or four other cultures b, The mainstream cultite ih your country as compared to sover- al minority or ethnic cultures ie ‘ “We have used the vague term “ethnic American” ia this scale to refi to Mexican: Amoricans, Aftiban-Americons, ete. We do itot want fo iaply that Atpertvans from the mainstream society differ qua from all ethnic groups, Nor do we wanit to say that all ethnic Ainecirans differ from the "mainstinam” American fin fect, many menabers of stbnic gromps have nssimilated into tho mainstream), The term is used only as.a matter of convenience,Cross-Cultural Contact with Americns 20 e Explain your representiation of the cuiltaral differencos that you have drawn on the scale. (Students in a multicultural classroom will be Interested in learning about ethnic groups in other soci- sties. Students in a homogeneous or monocultural claes can cons pare their views.) D, Generalizations and Stereotypes Complete each of the foll dng statements with the first idea that comes to your mind, Generalizations Many politicians are. Maity rich people ave Many women:are ‘Many men até Many-succossial business people are. Discuss 4, ‘Was it sasy to make genorvalizations about the above groups? 2, How did you fonn these general impressions? 4 Ate the above goneralizations tine, th your opinion; or ave they stereotypes? Storevtypes The difference between a gendraligation and a stétedtype is pol, alivays eaxy to understand. IF generalizations are rigid=a lowing for no individuality and often encouraging critical or negative judg: niont—they. beconie stereatypes: ‘Use the following worksheet to examine specific stereatypea® 1. In the Jeft-hand cohuna, list stereotypes: you have heard about people of a specific country (or countries), 2, In the middle column, answer the question, “Do you believe that this stereotype is true? Why?” 3. In the righthand column, write the response of a person from the country stereotyped. A sample has been completed.SH Cruse" Lseine Cones wn casesCross-Cultural Contact with Americans 34 __ Follow-up: International students and immigrants sometimes gom- a plain that they are asked questions that are based oi stereotypical ideas, such as, “Do you have televisions in your country!” People react difisrently when they or people trom their country are the sub- jects of stereotypical questions or statements. Following are some of “the ways people respond to stereotypical slatements ox questions, Which do you think are effective respolises? 4, ‘They deny them, 4% They joke about thet ** f 3, Thay explain why they are stereotypes. 4. They ask why they were made. §,. They become angry. 6, They ignore them, 7, Thoy tty to defend them. Gan you think of other possible responses? ‘in paiss-or in small groups, deoide which are the most effective ways Gf teeponding to a sterestypidal remark. From the stereotype Wworkshent, olidnao:a steiéotype ard role-play « shoit dialogue that includes an effective response ta a stereotype: For exemple: ‘Ennfe: Ist tue that women. in your country never work? Shelly; Where did you learn thar? Einie: My friénd told me. He was iti your cowhtry for two weeks. Shelly: Perhaps your friend only visited tourist places, It's true that nt many women work in those places, because few wouett arg bilingual, However, many women work in companies, factories, and shops. In fact, my older sister is an assistant ‘manager in a department store. E, Perceptions and Values Reed the following story and think about what happened. Thon coniplote the exercise, in which you'will maka decisions about the degree to which you approve and disapprove of the actions of the five characters. * “This ditertiso asks students to discuss parsomel foslivigs and valnes, Por cultutal ot pparsonal rigsons, some students will fep inhibited sbout the anon exprossion af their omotions, Teachors should detennine ahend of time whether the exercise is approyi= ate, ;32 Cross-Cultural Contact with Americans —Aigator River? Ghavacters: Rosemary: Main character Geoffrey: Rosemary's flanc’ Sinbad: Bost owner Rosemary's acquaintance Rosemary's second friend. Rosemary is 4 woman of about twenty-Uiie years of age. For sevoral months sho has boon engaged to a young man named Geoffrey. The problem she faves is that between har and bor fied tore lies ariver, No ordinary river, but a deep, wide river filled with hungry alligators, Rosemary wonders how she cai) cross the siver. She rettiembors Sinbad; whe ‘has the only boat in the wes. She then approucties Siabad, asking him. to take hier aeroas. Ha teplies; “Yes, TI take your anrtss if you'll stay: with me 60, 88, for one week: Shockad at this offer, she turns to andther acquaint Ftedatick, and tells him her story, Frederick responds by’ saying, Resemary, I understand your wean, but it’s your problem, not ming ting. jyith Resthep ig Wari. Bitt off the eventing befons they ate to be |, Rostinary fedls shé-siist tell Gealiréy WoWshe succended th getting across the river, Goothiey responds by. saybig, “T wouldn't marry you if you. wore the last wortan on earth,” Finally, Rosemary turas-te her fend Denuiis, Dennis listens to her siory and says, “Well, Rosemary, 1 don't love you. ., but Twill many you" And ‘that/s all.we know of the story. Discussion Activity 1, Rank the characters on a scale of 1 to § according to whom you approve of wiost’(a) and whom you approve of least (5), Then write: asentorice or two explaining voutr first and last choice, 1=inost approve of § = least approve of Ranking Rosemary Geofftey Sinbad ne Frederick Dennis"Cross-Cultural Corttact with Americans 33 Last choice; Why? Divide into groups of four or five. Shire your rankings, and explain your first and last choices. }» Individually think about Why identify where you learned: characters as you did? ‘Try to write a patagreph expldining those values aud wherd yuu learned them, Discuss what youswrote, 4, Do you think the values that guided. your choices were personal, cultuzal, or both? wo de your chotivs. Can’ you Interpretation of “Alligator River” + People do not always have similar interpretations of the world around. them. They perceive and interpret behavior in different ways, “ Ase result of their different valués, people’s beliefs, behavior, aid Teactions are not always similar, + No two people, evi, from the’same culture, Have exactly the same petveptions and dnterpretations ‘of what they see around them, + Many interpretations, however, are Jearned within-a person's cul- ‘tue; Therefore, those who share: ‘a.commén, culture will probably perceive the world more similarly than those who do not share a conimon chilture. E, Cross-Cultural Questions’ Answer the following questions about your own wulturé, and then discuss cross-cultural simtlarities and differences. 1, In your option, what kinds of things create the mivst serious problems in cross-cultural communication? Explain, 2, What kinds of cultural conflicts-exist in a heterogetieous society? How are they similar to or diffrent from cultural conflicts among people from different countries? 3. Can you think of cases where statedtypes have tured into, preja- dice or batred? 4, What, if enything, can be done about hanttful stereotypes? “These questions may also be asod as topics for written reparts.