Post on 16-Jan-2016
Unit 1: What is Geography
Topic: Culture
Content Objective: How and why do cultures change?
TLWBAT explain how culture defines specific regions of the world by participating in an in-class activity
What is culture?
Beliefs and actions that define a group
Components
Art Architecture Language Music Food Clothing Social interaction Religion
Language
Why is language the cornerstone of culture?
Monolingual Multilingual Dialects vary Language families 3,000-6,500
Translate . . .
"That ossified cake-eater over there with the cheaters on thinks his applesauce will land him a date."
"But that's baloney! He may think he's a big cheese, but he's just a goofy, plastered jerk."
Slang . . .
80’s Like, ok, totally No duh Eat my shorts Where’s the beef Take a chill pill Barf me out Gag me with a
spoon Totally radical
Religion – three types
First:
Animist Tribal Nature can have
spiritual being▪ landforms, animals,
trees
Does this still exist?
Native Americans
Voodoo (Cuba, Brazil, Haiti)
Second:
Hindu-Buddhist Polytheistic Many levels of
existence▪ Karma▪ Nirvana
India Asia
Third:
Abrahamic Scripture Monotheistic
Name Three
Christianity
Judaism
Muslim
Other cultural traits
Gestures
Waving Cuckoo Emphatic fist in
the air with locked elbow
High five Making an OK sign Shaking hands Crossing fingers
Activity . . .
4 volunteers North Americans
a distance of approximately 19 inches Western Europeans
14 to 16 inches is considered non-intrusive
China/Japan 36 inches range
Middle Eastern countries 8 to 12 inches between speakers is
common
Eye Contact
In the United States, direct eye contact is considered a sign of honesty and reliability. Shifting one’s gaze away, or to the floor indicates a lack of attention, or worse, deceit.
However, in Latin America, intense eye contact between men can be considered challenging and aggressive. Depending upon the situation, subordinates may not always look superiors in the eye for a protracted period of time. If a Hispanic looks away when being questioned, he or she is probably being respectful, rather than hiding something.
Extended eye contact between the sexes—in a purely business setting—is common in the United States, but can be interpreted as an overture for more intimate communications in many Latin and Mediterranean countries.
Smiles
While a smile is generally part of an introduction, smiles aren’t always the universal signal for friendship. Although smiles invite communication in much of the Western Hemisphere, in the Far East, a smile can be used to cover up embarrassment, dismay or fury. If you’re negotiating with Japanese, Chinese or Indonesian prospects, an inscrutable smile is used to communicate far more than pleasure. It’s a form of polite behavior, which masks anything from sincere enjoyment to menace. When accompanied by a protracted period of silence, a mysterious smile can unnerve Western salespeople.
In the French frame of reference, a person who grins too much can be regarded as simple. And in Germany, smiles are often reserved for family, friends and social situations, but not displayed freely in business settings.
Shaking Hands
In the United States, a firm grip has long been an indicator of strength of character, but styles of handclasps can definitely vary around the world. In Asia, a weak, extended grip is normal and doesn’t belie the negotiating strengths of the participants.
If you’re in a Muslim or Orthodox Jewish environment, you must be highly sensitive to touching the opposite gender. Devout orthodox Muslims and Jews must not touch women, so follow your hosts’ lead.
Bowing
The tradition of bowing is so complex that Asians attend classes in the proper protocol of the bow. It’s unlikely that any international visitor would be able to appropriately execute a formal bow (to the right depth, with the correct duration, etc). However, a polite attempt to bow in greeting will be appreciated by your Asian hosts. If you’re the subordinate in the relationship, bow lower. Be sure to learn an appropriate verbal greeting to express with the bow.
Kissing
Most initial business meetings around the world don’t involve a kiss. But after establishing a relationship with clients in the Middle East, Latin America, many parts of the Mediterranean and parts of Africa, there may be times when your clients/friends initiate a brief kiss on either cheek, accompanied by a handshake, hug or pat on the back.
If you’re in Brazil, this custom may occur between the sexes after only one or two meetings. In the Middle East, the same custom is likely to happen between males, followed by an extended period in close proximity. Whatever you do, never back away from a kiss. You don’t want to undermine your new business relationship by being coy about your personal space. As the saying goes, “When in Rome (or Rio or Riyadh), act as the Romans do.”
Personal Space
Social interaction
Cultural Identity
Ethnicity vs. Race?
Ethnicity = National Heritage
Race = Physical Characteristics
Cultural Change
Cultural Convergence skills, arts, ideas, of one
culture come in contact with those of another culture
Diffusion Cultural element
transmitted across distance
migration
Diffusion The spread of people, customs, phenomenon,
objects, or ideas. Four Types:
•Relocation
• Hierarchical
• Contagious
• Stimulus
Use these terms to explain the spread of:
•Diseases
•Popular Music
•Democratic Revolutions
•Religious Practices
Cultural Divergence Restriction of a
culture from outside influences
Assignment
Complete the World Regions map