Learning Journal #4

The presentations from last week opened my eyes to some big cultural differences from cultures around the world. I learned that in Hindi they use a causative verb tense to describe actions that had been done upon them, similar to how we would describe getting our hair cut in english. But instead of saying “I got a haircut” it translates more closely to “I had my hair cut.” I found it interesting that the Caste system in India actually manifests itself in some formalities regarding body language. Indian people tend to view the body as being similar to a Caste system in that the head is the holiest part, and the bottom of your feet are seen as dirty. Younger people will even bow their head to the feet of their elders to show respect, showing that the holiest part of their bodies belong near the feet of their elders. Conversely, showing someone the bottom of your feet is an act of disrespect.

I also enjoyed the presentations on Korean culture which focused somewhat on the materialistic culture that exists and how it differs from American culture. These differences can be seen at the governmental level, with the Korean government requiring that every store accept credit cards, and also at the individual level with Korean women holding the value of always looking their best. I’m not sure if that is the reason why Koreans tend to brush their teeth more often after every meal, or if it is more because of a value for oral health.

E-mail me when people leave their comments –

You need to be a member of The SDLAP Ning to add comments!

Join The SDLAP Ning

Blog Topics by Tags

Monthly Archives