Both Figuring Foreigners Out and the Hofstede Dimensions of Culture defined 6 dimensions of culture: individualism, power distance, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, long term orientation and indulgence. Of these 6 dimensions, 4 of these dimensions are considered significant. First, individualism measures the degree that a society enforces individual or collective achievements and relationships. Second, power distance measures the degree of acceptance of equality or inequality between people. Third, masculinity measures the dominant values of a society driven either by competition and success or caring for others and quality of life. Finally, uncertainty avoidance measures the degree of tolerance for uncertainty in society.
Through these measuring standards, we are able to evaluate and see the different values that an individual who lives in that country may hold more strongly than another. Peoples' cultural outlooks thus affect their use of non-verbal communication or being less direct, committing more individualistic choices, being monochronic versus polychronic, and amount of control an individual has of their future. An action that may mean something in one culture may hold no meaning in another in which the message is lost to the person receiving it. Due to these differences, we are able to understand why it may be difficult for foreigners to acclimate to a new country as they communicate and process actions and words very differently.
I readily agree with the Hofstede Dimensions of Culture in that it takes key aspects of culture which affect the core values of people and which in turn affects their actions and thought processing. Related to me, the United states and Korea are very different in all dimensions of culture. While the U.S. tends to be a more individualistic, success defined by achievement, and a less rule structured society, South Korea tends to be a more collectivist, success defined by quality of life and a very structured society. Looking back, I can see the differences in culture by the way that I could address people older than me, differences in perspectives of certain jobs, as well as emphasis on different things in life.
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