In Figuring Foreigners Out, the author compares the different tendencies of cultures. Some cultures identify strongly with individualism, which favors independence, while others with collectivism, which stresses group harmony. Across cultures, non-verbal communication can relay the same messages, different messages, or no messages. Cultures also differ in their perception of time– monochronic time is quantifiable and limited, while polychronic time is unquantifiable and limitless. There are also contrasting views about the levels of an individual’s control– internal means that individuals have great control over their lives and external depends more on ideas of nature and destiny. The final aspect that the reading pointed out was indirect versus direct communication. I think that this reading was very informative for comparing and contrasting different aspects of cultures. It also emphasized the idea that cultures do not usually strictly identify with one side of the spectrum; rather, cultures lean more towards one and can still demonstrate divergences. It made me think about my upbringing as a Korean-American, and how my cultural identity is a fusion of both Korean and American culture.
Developed by Dr. Geert Hofstede, the Hofstede Dimensions of Culture are composed of six dimensions that supposedly differentiate between cultures. The six categories are individualism, the degree to which individualism or collectivism is reinforced; power distance, the degree of social equality or inequality; masculinity, the level of gender differentiation; uncertainty avoidance, the level of tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity; long-term orientation, the measurement of change; and indulgence, the extent to which desires and impulses are controlled. I thought it was interesting that these are called dimensions of culture, yet it seems to be of countries. I find that a country can have multiple cultures so it would be wrong to say that the entirety of a country has the same cultural practices. Going further, I would question how the maps and comparison charts were formed. As I saw the rankings for the United States and South Korea, the two countries with which I identify culturally, I am unsure if I would necessarily agree with every single one.
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