Through the reading, Figuring Foreigners Out, it was very interesting to see how culture can be sectioned into categories and how every culture can lean toward certain notions. The reading sections into five, including individualist/collectivist, nonverbal communication, monochronic/polychronic, internal/external, and direct and indirect communication. Although I believe that it is hard to put culture into categories as presented, it is reasonable that culture can tilt more heavily to one of the dimensions.
While reading this, I was trying to think of which notion Korea factors more heavily under. For example, for nonverbal communication, I was thinking of how Koreans tend to be very expressionate through nonverbal behaviors such as bowing to elders to show respect. Another interesting idea that I read on the side note is how Koreans prefer to maintain a peaceful atmosphere, indicating that Korean culture tends to factor more under indirect context communication. I realized that the way the language is expressed can be very different because of these dimensions.
Using Hofstede Insights, South Korea values the most of power distance, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, and long-term orientation. These show the cultural mindset that Koreans hold, such as linking to the past, wanting to be the best, and expecting equality of power.
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I also agree that it is hard to put all of one culture into different groups. There could be a lot of overlap between different parts of a culture and there can be parts of a culture that may not be easily defined. However, it is definitely possible to pick out some parts of a culture and put them into a certain group.