1. 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
2. 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
3. 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.
4. 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
5. 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. 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
7. 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.
8. 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
9. 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.