Friday, April 4, 2008
American Values & Assumptions
This week, we read about how Americans perceive foreigners and how foreigners perceive Americans. Although much of the text addressed stereotypes, some of what we discussed was true. This week, I'd like you to write about some experience you had dealing with Americans based on the part of the Althen's chapter 1 that you were assigned to summarize. Good luck!
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(Chapter 1: American Values and Assumptions, Privacy)
Reflections
Measures of privacy might differ from one culture to another or from two individuals from the same culture, but I believe that this value has its importance anywhere we go. Learning about privacy values in American society opened my eyes to things I've been doing or trained to do since for as long as I can remember. I found a lot of similarities between the American ways of thinking and what we, as Arabs, ought to do. Actions may be done for totally different reasons and beliefs, but results are almost the same in the end. An example of this is the privacy of thoughts. Americans think that their minds are off-limit zones to others; the case with Arabs is very similar. However, this is only encouraged in us because of the value of secrecy that is part of the Islamic religion.
As for spacial privacy, as an Arab and a Muslim, this is determined by the gender and nature of relation to the other party. Arabs in general tend to have very huge bubbles (personal space) that no one is allowed to invade unless they got the permission to do so. For example, I wouldn’t get very close to anyone from the opposite sex in terms of distance unless he is my father, brother, husband, or one of my uncles. If the person was from the same gender, it would depend on how close, in terms of relationships, she is to me. In my opinion, this concept which was taken into consideration during my upbringing has built in me the space awareness that I’m conscious of today. Therefore, the reasons and approaches may vary but this value of privacy has existed and will always be important in all cultures around the world.
Reflection of Iformality
Americans may seen very informal, and their speech or behavior is relaxed and friendly because of their informality. I think that is a good opportunity for me because Americans can inform me about their culture or habit.
When I first visited an American church, I met many Americans. They treated me kindly, and I soon made friends there. I learned about their culture and Habits as well. One day, a married couple who were churchgoers invited my wife and me to their house. I was really surprised because I have never met them before. When I visited their house, I was surprised again because they never took their shoes off, when they went to the restroom, living room, and back yard, and so on. But I really enjoyed the house and we also talked about culture and matter of common interest. However, in my country, it is almost impossible inviting unknown people at the first meeting. It will take more than ten times or when they are meeting and being recognized as a friend. And visitors have to take their shoes off when they visit their home, too.
Even though Koreans have bright personality, we are shy to strangers. At first, it will be hard to be familiar with them, but after some time, everyone will like us.
Time
People do not think about time seriously. Wasting time seems natural, and most people do not know the importance of time. I used to waste time like running water, but then my mother told me its importance.
If you go to Korea, you will surely hear a phrase that expresses Korean’s obsession with time: “Pali Pali”. About sixty years ago, Korea experienced rapid growth in its economy that surprised every country. In this short time, most Korean industries skyrocketed under the government’s control. During this period, without exception, everyone was pressured into working harder than they could comfortably manage. Since then, people started saying “Pali Pali (hurry up)” habitually. Everything in Korea is expected to be completed on time and old people are especially known as impatient.
When I first came to the United States, I was frustrated by the slow pace of many things. I really thought Americans were too lazy to finish their work by the due date. It was quite different from what the author mentioned about the American’s concept of time in the book. But now I assume that American people do not want to make mistakes by hastening matters. Because they know if they make a mistake, it will take more time to reprocess what they did wrong.
In my opinion, Americans’ individualism is applied to this time concept. Koreans think “we “every time when they do something. It means Koreans care about “us” not “me” first. On the other hand, many Americans tend to think of their time instead of other’s time. But I believe the most successful Americans do care about other’s time.
(Informality P.16-18)
Reflection about Informality
Japanese society is more formal than American society. It is well- known that Japanese do not socialize so easily and they have to use polite words to senior, so many foreigner think Japanese is sober and quiet. I also think that, and I felt uncomfortable in Japanese custom.
When I was a junior high school student, I met an American who was my English teacher. I surprised when he said “Call me John” because I had never call teacher’s first name. Japanese teachers do not prefer that students call their first name. I had to use polite words, and I had to bow to them. Just one time, I called a Japanese teacher’s first name, and he gave me a punishment that cleaning a rest room. After that, I had never call teacher’s first name in Japan. If I meet senior Japanese, I have to use polite words and behavior. I had been implanted this custom since I was an elementary school student by my Japanese teachers and parents.
I had a job interview when I was a university student. I studied how to bow, and how to behave to job interview. I met an American, and we took the job interview. While I was waiting my turn in a corridor, he ate his lunch, and he greeted to another job applicants. We learned that we have to keep silent while we were waiting our turn. I thought that the American was so casual.
I think Japanese are too strict about attitude and diction. However, Americans are casual about that.
Reflection of equality
I think American equlity has a strong benefit to have a conversation and build relationships between young and old people. In America, in my opinion, many young and old people can have a conversation and be close each other regardless of an age gap because the don't care too much about it. I have seen many groups of America people, which are mixed with young and old people, spending time talking to each other in the Jacuzzi since I started exercising in the fitness in my apartment complex. I always have been envious this for a long time. Because many old people have built up wisdom like how to keep good reltionships with boss in work, cope with some financial problems and accident or something like that. So it can be precios things because I can prepare my social life well by hearing their story. But in Korea, there are so many obstacles to have a conversation with old people. We should always talk to old people using polite expressions and can't disagree with old people because it can even seems to be just rude for other people even if young man is right. Therefore we can't easily have a deep with old people.
Reflection of Privacy
I have a kind of confusion about where is the exact end of private boundaries in America. They always claim that keeping their closet closed is their essence of life. However, in my experience of real communication, when it comes to the several issues which are embarrassing to be conversed, they are just willing to say everything, even though I’m just an acquaintance of them. While I was struggling to figure out this question, I finally noticed the difference between what was written in the book and what daily life showed.
Just few weeks after I came Tucson, I had a chance to meet a young U of A student. I always keep it in my mind before talking with other culture’s people that “Privacy is none of your business”. However, when I started to talk with him, I realized that what I reminded myself repeatedly was such a totally erroneous idea. Although it was my first day to see him, I talked with him everything including men-women relationship in America. Another day in Tucson, I met an old lady who lives in the same apartment building. They acted and responded like we are definite first-time-meeting acquaintance. She was setting the rules of conversation unconsciously between us. For example, I didn’t get any personal information about her family, age and so on, except her name, but talked about how I feel the weather or do you like apartment.
Referencing the above experience, I can tell that the young generation in America is now really used to talking with multicultural people. Then, they don’t feel shocked, even if they are talking in distinct style, whereas older Americans thoroughly follow their communicative convention.
Reflections of equality
After I read a part of equality in the American Way, I can obviously understand an idea with misunderstanding of the two different cultures in the two countries. The social relationship and the rules in America and Asia are far different from one to the other country in respect in society. I have thought that it seemed very ironic about the equality presented by Americans. Although Americans insist that you should be fair to everyone regardless of national origin, gender, age, wealth, creed, and social position, I have seen inequality existences in America. For example, people of higher status are more likely to speak first, louder, longer and they sit at the head of the table or in the most comfortable chair. But it is fact that my thoughts were wrong by my misunderstanding of the new culture, my self-righteousness, and that the inequality exists in equality in the social relationship or the social rules.
When I think about Korea’s equality, I have always believed a way of thinking of involvement of my background. Even though inequality seemed like to appear far less spread in the society now than the past, the inequality still exists in Korea. For instance, there are difference in pay rates, inexplicable promotions, seating arrangements towards males, choice of words and order of speaking between males and females. When foreigners see my country, they might think that Korean doesn’t want to alter the social atmosphere. But the fact is Korea is trying to change inequality into equality and it would take decades of time.
Reflection of Achievement, Action, Work, and Materialism
I disagree with this article because what the author says is different from my opinion. The author claims that Americans praise achievement, like action, work hard and would like to spend money to buy material goods. Those attributions are shown by some people, but not everyone. There are some exceptional examples I have noticed in America.
First of all, according to the author, Americans like action and work hard. Some people might, but I see some people who do not. As I know, the rate of drug use is pretty high in America. I would not say they are the typical Americans described in this article.
Next, the author also says Americans admire people’s achievements. However, Americans don’t care about whether people succeed or not, because the most important thing for them is their own success. As a result, they are concerned with their own business regardless of others’.
Lastly, as the author says, Americans would like to buy goods. In my view, they buy goods when they think they need it. Although the items are not necessary, they believe they are useful. In my country, however, people buy luxury items not for their needs but to show off. Compared to Americans, people from my country tend to be more materialistic.
Those tendencies are somewhat universal; they are not confined to Americans. I conclude some Americans make efforts to approach their goals, try to be hard workers and spend money on material goods, but not everyone has these thoughts.
Reflection of Equality
After I read the part about equality in American Ways, I can understand why they are misunderstandings between the two different cultures in the two countries. The social relationship and the rules in America and Asia are far different from with respect in society. I have thought that it seemed very ironic about the equality presented by Americans. Although Americans insist that you should be fair to everyone regardless of national origin, gender, age, wealth, creed, and social position, I have seen inequality exist in America. For example, people of higher status are more likely to speak first, louder, longer and they sit at the head of the table or in the most comfortable chair.
When I think about Korea’s equality, I have always believed a way of thinking based on involvement of my background. Even though inequality seemed like to appear far less spread in the society now than the past, inequality still exists in Korea. For instance, there are differences in pay rates, inexplicable promotions, seating arrangements towards males, choice of words and order of speaking between males and females. When foreigners see my country, they might think that Koreans don’t want to alter the social atmosphere. But the fact is, Korea is trying to change inequality into equality, but it will take decades of time.
Reflection of Achievement, Action, Work, and MAterialism
In America, people are evaluated by the jobs they have and incomes. Therefore, people work too hard. "Even recreation,for Americans, is ofteh a matter of acquiring lavish equipment, making elaborate plans, then going smewhere to do something."(P24) I think Americans need to relax and enjoy life's pleasure.
Before I came to Tucson, I thought the life in America would br comfort. Unfortunately, Life in America is much busier than I expected, especially university students, Ihave a friend in Tucson from Beijing, the capital of China. We play together frequently. Since he got into the University of Arizona last semester, I have only seen him one time a spring break. We only talked with each other and quizzes. He is really living under pressure. I think I need to get ready for the life in the University of Arizona.
In brief, I thought the life in America would have less pressure and be more comfortable. However, I misunderstand of the life in America. Therefore, I need to change my mind and adapt to the new life in America quickly.
Time
Islamic religion urges us to care about the time because our pray based on exact time to make our worship. For example, we as Muslims must pray five times every day. If someone doesn’t doing his praise on time, he or she must perform it later.
At the book, we find that Americans overview for the time is a primary issue. The author wrote something had been very important “For American, time is a resource that, like water or coal, can be used well or poorly ’Time is money.” This is the American’s idea about time, but the Muslims have differs one. Therefore, the Muslims think about time as a collect advantage for judgment day, but for Americans all about collect the largest amount of money?
Unfortunately in fact, the Muslim lost their attention for religion. Because they become more busy to collect largest amount of money.
Time
Islamic religion urges us to care about the time because our pray based on exact time to make our worship. For example, we as Muslims must pray five times every day. If someone doesn’t doing his praise on time, he or she must perform it later.
At the book, we find that Americans overview for the time is a primary issue. The author wrote something had been very important “For American, time is a resource that, like water or coal, can be used well or poorly ’Time is money.” This is the American’s idea about time, but the Muslims have differs one. Therefore, the Muslims think about time as a collect advantage for judgment day, but for Americans all about collect the largest amount of money?
Unfortunately in fact, the Muslim lost their attention for religion. Because they become more busy to collect largest amount of money.
Reflection
The author in this chapter mentions some values and assumption of the American people. Some of these values I dislike them very much such as American people less concerned about history and they believe better future, also they always look for a positive attitude and this are the Contrary of the world, True that in some cultures the future often considered to be in the hands of fate and God, Because of religion and belief, but in spite of that they have also evident positive for the future and they work to change them future better. Also in my opinion there is no future without a history
I think the average world citizen is good instead of evil. I can give an example of the goodness of the people from Mexico. During the first hours of September 19, 1985, one earthquake shook Mexico City. In less than five minutes it destroyed a considerable part of the infrastructure of the city, and left an uncountable number of victims. That earthquake showed us three things: the solidarity of people and the ineptitude of the government. In other words, the government didn’t act quickly, but the people did. They organized by themselves the rescue for victims, injured and deaths. This is just an example of how people are good. As in Mexico, I think in many other parts of the world people have given exceptional example of solidarity.
In Saudi Arabia, a lot of the social life and legal laws are based on the teachings of Islam. Saudis, as all Muslims, believe that all people are born good, and that they are raised to be either good or bad. This does not mean that a person who was raised to be evil cannot be reformed.
The ninth month in the Islamic calender, Ramadan, is the month of fasting. During this month, people volunteer to provide food for the poor that is usually distributed through Mosques. By the time the sun sets, the time Muslims break their fast, you can see all kinds of people heading to mosques to find ready, home cooked meals.
Saudis usually donate anonymously; this is also in accordance to the Islamic teachings. You would often read about an anonymous donor who donated money for medical treatment or housing for the needy. Public figures, on the other hand, are encouraged to donate publicly to be role models for others. This is usually the case with members of the royal family, including the king. Usually not a day passes with out reading about something like this in the newspaper. Such donations include building housings, medical care, and feeding the poor, not only in the kingdom, but other Muslim countries as well.
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