With the advancements in communication technology and the travel industry, interactions between persons of different cultural and social backgrounds are inevitable. Even within the same country, cultural differences may exist between different ethnicities and even cities. With varying cultural backgrounds, one’s values, behaviour patterns, mannerisms, gender relations and even speech patterns vary to vast degrees. When people from such contrasting views are put together, conflicts may arise in certain situations.
For example, in an article I read sometime back written by a Sri Lankan travel journalist who toured Japan, he had described such a situation which led to a humorous outcome. While attending a meal with his Japanese host, he was served a bowl of soup, which he emptied to the very bottom, since in Sri Lanka, it is considered rude to leave a half eaten plate of food. Each time he emptied the bowl, his host hastened to refill it and this went on until the journalist consumed about four servings of soup. Finally, he politely explained to the host that he was quite full and unable to have any more. At this point, the host graciously explained that in Japan, if a guest empties his plate, it is customary to refill it until he leaves some uneaten.
From this, what I gather is that the best way to tackle differences in intercultural behaviour is through understanding and tolerance. When a person is interacting with someone from a culture which is unfamiliar to them, many cultural offences may occur. However, if both parties are aware of their differences and respect them, conflicting situations can be avoided. In the case of the journalist, he showed respect and politeness and was responded to in kind by his host despite their lack of cultural common ground.
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I wonder if the Japanese host should have realised that people of different cultures may have different practices. having said that a few years ago, I was entertaining some of my own countrymen but ones I didn't know very well.
ReplyDeleteAfter they had eaten their pudding I asked if they would like some more twice. They all refused. Then shortly afterwards, one of the guests admitted that in fact he would like more pudding. He said, "I always thought that it was after the third refusal that the hostess can be satisfied that another helping is not desired by her guest."
This was not my practice yet we supposedly shared a common culture. I think we can overgeneralise about culture.
Mrs Richardson
Hey Anu,
ReplyDeleteI guess the travel journalist has learnt new things in the process. The Japanese are very courteous and they make sure their guests are well-served and 'pampered'. I think it's an Eastern culture to have hosts to be busy while the guests relax. It's showing that everything is taken care of and the guests should not worry.
Well I thought Mrs Richardson account on her pudding incident was rather comical. It really shows that people from different cultures indeed probably have a different set of expectations and way of life to live by.
ReplyDeleteI would say that Anu is also right in pointing out that interpersonal respect, understanding and awareness are the prime factors in creating a pleasant environment whereby speakers can feel at ease with each other and intercultural conflicts be resolved unconsciously.
I always believe that the dining table is where you can see great differences in culture and habits! It reminds me of the time when my class and I had lunch with our new teacher from India when he burped really loudly after the meal. You could imagine how shocked we all were, only to realise it's a way to say that the meal was delicious! So I think it's best to always be conscious about one's reactions towards intercultural situations because we never know when we might be the center of one!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments. Jocelyn, your comment was the funniest. However, I do not think that burping is acceptable no matter what sort of culture the person is from. I have interacted with many Indians and none of them have thankfully, ever burped in my presence.
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