One of the main ideas mentioned in the article, Figuring Foreigners Out was about nonverbal communication. It states that people in all cultures rely heavily on non-verbal signs to send out their intended messages. However, in the cross cultural realm of language, it says that nonverbal behaviors can be sorted into 3 main categories.
- The first are behaviors that apply to both your own culture and to the other culture you are trying to learn. These do not create any confusion because they carry the same meanings.
- The second are behaviors that exist in both cultures, but have different meanings. For example, in the United States, eye contact is crucial when communicating face-to-face with someone and to develop a connection. However, in other countries, for example, Japan, eye contact is looked down upon because it might seem rude to look into your superiors’ eyes.
- The last set of behaviors is when a nonverbal behavior may have meaning in one culture, but has absolutely no meaning in another culture.
- I agree with the fact that nonverbal communication sometimes speak louder than actual speaking communication. It is the body language and actions that could present different intentions and meanings, despite being intentional or unintentional. I think that Is why it is important to stay aware of the different nonverbal communication differences when visiting or entering a whole new culture.
Another idea was the idea of individualist and collectivist.
- An individualist is when people identity primarily with self and the needs of the individuals are satisfied before the group. Independence and self-reliance is heavily stressed and personal freedom is always prioritized over the group. On the other hand, a collectivist believes that the survival and success of the group ensures the well-being of the individual. When I went on Hofstede Insights and typed up South Korea and the United States to get a comparative view, it showed through data that United States is way more individualistic than South Korea. United States earned a score of 91 while South Korea earned a score of 18 which is a huge difference in data.
- However, I agree with this assessment because I do believe that Korea is in fact very surrounded with the idea of collectivism because of the hoobae and sunbae cultural system that exists. This hierarchical system is a vital portion of South Korean culture which explains why the number regarding individualism is so low compared to the U.S. While in America, they heavily stress the idea of “you can do whatever you want,” in Korea, it is more about making sacrificial actions for the good of the group.
- I personally like the idea of an individualist because I like the idea of independence and self-reliance compared to relying so heavily on others.
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