CROSS CULTURE UNDERSTANDING

RESUME OF

CROSS CULTURE UNDERSTANDING

Proposed to fulfill the individual assignments

of Cross Culture Understanding course

Lecturer Dr. Anjali, MM.

Composed By:

OVI SOVINA EKAWATI

  NIM. 102300914

ENGLISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND MANNERS

THE STATE INSTITUTE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES

“SULTAN MAULANA HASANUDDIN BANTEN”

1434 A.H/ 2013 A.D

CHAPTER I

CROSS CULTURAL CONTACT WITH AMERICANS

A. The Term “American”

There are so many types of Americans and yet a mainstream culture does exist. Even the word American is confusing. After all, American is consisting and includes North America, Central America and South America.

B. Americans Culture

Some people might argue that it is impossible to generalize about American. American doesn’t come from a common ancestor. Expect for native Americans (Indian), American come from different immigrant and refugee groups. Americans do have a common heritage, but it is based on cultural diversity or multiculturalism. There are many terms in American culture:

-            Mainstream Culture: the behavior of the groups based on its values and beliefs.

-          Melting pot: a society in which ethnic group blend and become a group. American views of their own diversity have changed over the years in early 1900’s some peoples describe American melting pot from that description is not very accurate however because ethnic group have always been different from one another.

-          Mosaic: a society in which ethnic groups retain their separate identities but together from the larger community. By the 1970’s, better analogy was introduced American multicultural society that described a generalization: a statement describing general behavior that does not apply all the times a mosaic in which all the races and ethnic group could be proudly displayed.

-          Stereotype: an exaggerate belief about a group often base on lack information or contact with members of that group.

C. American Values

Value such the ones just described, are the backbone of American culture. They influence how many American think and act. Before proceeding to the list itself, we should also point out that Americans see all of these values as very positive ones. American values are:

1.      Personal control over the environment X fate

Americans no longer believe in the power of Fate, and they have come to look at people who do as being backward, primitive, or hopelessly naïve. To be call "fatalistic" is one of the worst criticisms one can receive in the American context; to an American, it means one is superstitious and lazy, unwilling to take any initiative in bringing about improvement.

In the United States, people consider it normal and right that Man should control Nature, rather than the other way around. More specifically, people believe every single individual should have control over whatever in the environment might potentially affect him or her.

2.      Change X Tradition

In the American mind, change is seen as an indisputably good condition. Change is strongly linked to development, improvement, progress, and growth. Many older, more traditional cultures consider change as a disruptive, destructive force, to be avoided if at all possible. Instead of change, such societies value stability, continuity, tradition, and a rich and ancient heritage—none of which are valued very much in the United States.

3.      Control over time X Time walks

For the average American, time is the most importance. To the foreign visitor, Americans seem to be more concerned with getting things accomplished on time (according to a predetermined schedule) than they are with developing deep interpersonal relations. Schedules, for the American, are meant to be planned and then followed in the smallest detail.

4.      Equality and Egalitarianism X Hierarchy, Rank, Status.

Equality is, for Americans, one of their most cherished values. This concept is so important for Americans that they have even given it a religious basis. They say all people have been "created equal." Most Americans believe that God views all humans alike without regard to intelligence, physical condition or economic status. In secular terms this belief is translated into the assertion that all people have an equal opportunity to succeed in life. Americans differ in opinion about how to make this ideal into a reality. Yet virtually all agree that equality is an important civic and social goal.

5.      Individualism and Privacy X Group Orientation

Here, each individual is seen as completely and marvelously unique, that is, totally different from all other individuals and, therefore, particularly precious and wonderful. Americans may, and do, join groups—in fact many groups—but somehow believe they’re just a little different, just a little unique, just a little special, from other members of the same group. And they tend to leave groups as easily as they enter them.

6.      Self Help X Birthright Inheritance

Americans get no credit whatsoever for having been born into a rich family. (In the United States, that would be considered "an accident of birth.") Americans pride themselves in having been born poor and, through their own sacrifice and hard work, having climbed the difficult ladder of success to whatever level they have achieved—all by themselves. The American social system has, of course, made it possible for Americans to move, relatively easily, up the social ladder.

7.      Future Orientation X Past Orientation

Valuing the future and the improvements Americans are sure the future will bring means that they devalue that past and are, to a large extent, unconscious of the present. Even a happy present goes largely unnoticed because, happy as it may be, Americans have traditionally been hopeful that the future would bring even greater happiness. Almost all energy is directed toward realizing that better future.

8.      Action and Work Orientation X Being Orientation

"Don’t just stand there," goes a typical bit of American advice, "do something!" This expression is normally used in a crisis situation, yet, in a sense, it describes most American’s entire waking life, where action—any action—is seen to be superior to inaction.

9.      Informality X Formality

In Indonesian view, Americans seem to be extremely informal, and will probably feel that they are even disrespectful of those in authority. As one example of this informality, American bosses often urge their employees to call them by their first names and even feel uncomfortable if they are called by the title "Mr." or "Mrs."

10.  Directness, Openness, Honesty X Indirectness

Americans, however, have always preferred the first approach. They are likely to be completely honest in delivering their negative evaluations. Americans are not trying to make you lose face with their directness. It is important to realize that an American would not, in such case, lose face. There is no way to soften the blow of such directness and openness if you are not used to it except to tell you that the rules have changed while you are here. Indeed, Americans are trying to urge their fellow countrymen to become even more open and direct.

11.  Materialism  X Spiritualism

Americans are materialistic. This means that they value and collect more material objects than most people would ever dream of owning. It also means they give higher priority to obtaining, maintaining and protecting their material objects than they do in developing and enjoying interpersonal relationships.

CHAPTER II

CROSS CULTURAL CONFLICT AND ADJUSTMENT

A fish out of water is the expression has been used to describe someone who living in a new culture. In thinking about how someone will adjust to a new culture, the following questions should be considered:

-            Motivation – Relationships with other

-            Length of stay – Financial situations

-            Language and culture – Job

-            Language and cultural knowledge – Age

-            Personality – Degree

A ride on roller coaster is the expression that people can be experience both loving and hating the new country. There are distinct stages in the adjustment process:

1.      Honeymoon Period

Many people are fascinated and excited by everything in the new culture.

2.      Culture Shock

The individuals are immersed in new problem.

3.      Initial Adjustment

Everyday activities such as housing and shopping are no longer major problems.

4.      Mental Isolation

Individual have been away from their family and good friends.

5.      Acceptances and integration

A routine activity has established. They feel comfortable with new country.

There are typical symptoms of problem adjusting to the new culture:

1.      Homesickness

2.      Inability to work well

3.      Too much eating, drinking or sleeping

4.      Anger toward the members of the new culture

5.      Glorifying the native culture and emphasizing the negative in the new culture

6.      Withdrawal and avoidance of contact with people from the new culture

7.      Lack of ability to deal with even small problems.

CHAPTER III

VERBAL COMMUNICATION: THE WAY PEOPLE SPEAK

Conversational Involvement:

A. High Involvement

1.      Talk more

2.      Interrupt more

3.      Expect to be interrupted

4.      Talk more loudly

5.      Talk more quickly

B. High Considerateness

1.      Speak one at a time

2.      Use polite listening sound

3.      Refrain from interrupting

4.      Give plenty of positive and respectful response.

Ping pong and bowling conversation styles are when conversation styles are contrast. American ping pong style is formal conversation among the Japanese, which has been compared to bowling. Each participant in a Japanese conversation waits politely for turn and knows exactly when the time is right to speak.

CHAPTER IV

NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION:

SPEAKING WITHOUT WORDS

Cultural differences in nonverbal communication can expresses meaning or feeling without words, universal emotions such as happiness, fear and sadness.

A. Gesture and Body Positioning

Gesture are specific body movements that carry meaning. Many American business executive enjoy relaxing with their feet up on their desk.

B. Facial Expressiveness

Facial expressiveness carry meaning that is determined by situation and relationships. In American culture, smile is frequently used to cover emotional pain or embarrassment.

C. Eye Contact

Eye contact is important because insufficient or excessive eye contact can create communication barriers. It serves to show intimacy, attention and influence.

D. Conversational Distance

This distance has had several names over the years, including personal space, interpersonal distance, comport zone, and body bubble. For Americans, the usual distance is social conversation ranges from about an arm’s length to four feet. Less space in American culture may be associated with either greater intimacy or aggressive behavior.

CHAPTER V

RELATIONSHIP: FRIENDS AND ACQUAINTANCES

A. Definition

-            Friendliness: behavior, characterized by smiling, chattiness, warmth that demonstrated interest in another person (adjective: friendly).

-          Friendship: a relationship in which people know and like to each other.

B. Friendliness versus Friendship

Many people around the world characterize Americans are friendly especially in comparison to certain other cultural groups tend to smile and talk easily with others even if they are strangers. They strike up conversations with each other. From their point of view, how can a person trust a stranger enough to chat freely and reveal personal information? After all, in most of the world, strangers are not to be trusted.

C. Cross Cultural Friendship

One of the most problems is that foreigners misinterpret American friendliness as an offer of friendship. When the American is unaware of these expectations or is unwilling to be a true friend, the new comer in U.S can become disappointed.

CHAPTER VI

FAMILY: TYPES AND TRADITIONS

A.  Child Rising

Acculturation, is begins at birth. The process of teaching new generation of children is custom and values of the parent culture. In the United States, it is common for parents to put a newborn child in separate bedroom when the child is a view weekend old. By having their own rooms, the children will also be able to have privacy when they are older.

B.  Young Childhood

American children have typically been encouraged, but usually not forced, to leave nest and begins independent lives. Then over 50% of young adult aged 18-24 currently live in their parent’s home. Parents do not arrange marriages for their children, nor do children usually ask their parent’s permission to get married.

C.  The Elderly

Societal and familial treatment of the elderly also reflects the values of independence and individualism. Senior citizen centers provide a means for peer-group association within their age group. Indifference to the aged 65-74 and 35% of women in the same age group live alone.

D.  The Nuclear and the Extended Family

The nuclear family consists of the father, mother and children: this is the family. The extended family, which consists of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces and in-laws is important in United States.

E.  Working Wives and Husbands

For many women, their work represents the need to contribute to the family income and not a means of attaining personal fulfillment.

F.   Single- Parent Families

Many single mother and fathers often feel stretched to their limits with unending responsibilities that face them. Despite the number of single parents in the United States, there is no indication that marriage is becoming less popular; the remarriage rate remains high, with approximately 4 out or 5 divorce couples eventually remarrying other people.

G.  Varieties of Families in United States

Two women or two men with or without children can also constitute a family. Couples who have decided not to have children or unmarried couples who have chosen to live together may likewise see themselves as a family.

CHAPTER VII

EDUCATION: VALUES AND EXPECTATIONS

International students and immigrants attending schools in the United States can experience multiple culture shocks. Students from abroad, accustomed to their countries educational expectations, must adapt to new classroom, norms in a foreign educational institution, in some other countries, students must humbly obey their teachers directions and remain absolutely silent during a class. Yet in other cultures, students are allowed to criticize or even contradict their teachers. Cultural differences as well as the experience of being a newcomer account for some of the adjustment problems that non-native-born student’s experience.

CHAPTER VIII

WORK: PRACTICES AND ATTITUDES

“Knock rather than opportunity’s door if you wish to enter”, job hunting in the United States is a challenging experience for Americans. There are steps finding a job:

1.      Preparation: identifying skill

2.      Networking: inform

3.      Resume Development: summary of professional skills or data

4.      The Interview: communication between employee and job applicant

In employer-employee relationship, subordinates often call their superiors by their first names. They do not like to be called Sir or Ma’am.