In Figuring Foreigners Out, there are many topics that are covered in regards to the topics of perception, more specifically how different cultures perceive time, communication both verbal and non-verbal, the idea of individualism, and topics of what is considered to be direct versus indirect communication. For most cultures, I do agree that they lie somewhere on a scale in each of these topics. It is really rare to see a culture that leans so heavily towards one side of the scale for any of these topics, but that does not mean that there are no such cultures that are not so far in one side. In comparison, with Hofstede’s tool, there is a measure of Power Distance, Individualism, Masculinity, Uncertainty Avoidance, Long Term Orientation, and Indulgences. With Dr. Hofstede’s tool though, I do wish there were most insights into what exactly went into the measurements for each of the countries that were being measured. Although it is a great tool to compare the different levels/prevalence of each of these topics in the countries available, it is not as clear as to what is actually being measured in each. For the most part, I do agree with the topics mentioned in Figuring Foreigners Out. In most of the countries and individual cultures present, most things are not clearly this or that. Most qualities and symbols that define a culture lie somewhere on a scale. While some countries are known more to lean towards individualistic, direct, or see time as monochromic, there are other cultures that view the exact opposite. What is common in one culture might be present in a different culture or might not be present altogether. Even if there is presence, that same symbol might have a completely different meaning when looking at it in a different cultural environment.
For my native culture, which also happens to be my target culture for this course, Nepal is one of those countries that includes a wide variation of cultures within itself. As a country, I would describe it as a mostly collective country run by people with deeply individualistic desires. In terms of time, Nepal tends to view time in a monochronic way, as a commodity and one that is limited. Although people mostly follow the rules, they are very vocal about their desire to not want to follow the rules. In a political climate that has been very volatile for the past couple decades, the shift in country has started to move more towards individualism, as people have started to lose more and more trust in the ability of the government and people in power to change for the better for the people. What is really striking is the amount of people, mostly college grads and people in their 20s leaving the country and emigrating to other countries for a chance for better education and way of life. As a country and culture, Nepal has been pretty stagnant when it comes to progress towards modernism, still held back by the people who clearly haven’t adapted to the changing times.
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