This reading brings up a key point in the opening paragraphs about the two dimensions of culture. There are the "invisible dimensions," which explain the assumptions, values, and beliefs within society. Then, there are the "visible dimensions," which include behavior. When learning a new language, it is important to learn the culture for context( to understand accepted behaviors in the most general sense.)
I was reading part of a later passage and a certain categorization stuck out to me. It said at first that there are cultural behaviors, but went on to say that not all behaviors are in fact based on culture. I am glad the latter part was mentioned because I disagreed. In the U.S., behavior is based on how one is raised, their personality, etc. People can act however they want since we are an individualistic society, so I never think of behaviors as being cultural. There is always some exception.
Collectivists societies emphasize interdepence and focus on the well-being of the entire group. Individualists societies are "selfish" to a fault, in which the individual's well-being if first and foremost. Generally, the U.S. is individualistic, but there are moments where people shift to the collectivist mindset.
I will be learning Farsi; which is spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan. This society's, from what I have seen, are far more collectivistic than the United States. There is a greater emphasis placed on respect for the family, elders, and one's self.
I cannot wait to learn more about the culture(norms, values, behaviors) of the people in the country's where Farsi is spoken. I am curious about whether they are monochromactic or polychromatic when it comes to scheduling times for activities.
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