Presenter : Christopher Wolfe
Audience : Egyptian & Moroccan Students
Setting : University of Delaware, WHL 104
Date : 7/11/06
Goal : Understanding how American people understand themselves
The start was really catchy as Chris stressed the similarity between his name and the animal’s name “wolf”. Then he captured the audience’s attention when he said,” you can’t assess your culture well unless you are exposed to others”. He also used a diagram to focus on the idea of YOU and the OTHER. He was logical when he stated that using the term “American culture” to refer to the culture of the United States may be offensive to Canadian and Latin American people. He added that it has not to do with arrogance; English does not have an adjective form of “United States”, so the word “American” is the only available word.
He dealt with the content of his workshop smoothly; he brought things to his class and provided real life situations to clarify cross-cultural misunderstanding:
Audience : Egyptian & Moroccan Students
Setting : University of Delaware, WHL 104
Date : 7/11/06
Goal : Understanding how American people understand themselves
The start was really catchy as Chris stressed the similarity between his name and the animal’s name “wolf”. Then he captured the audience’s attention when he said,” you can’t assess your culture well unless you are exposed to others”. He also used a diagram to focus on the idea of YOU and the OTHER. He was logical when he stated that using the term “American culture” to refer to the culture of the United States may be offensive to Canadian and Latin American people. He added that it has not to do with arrogance; English does not have an adjective form of “United States”, so the word “American” is the only available word.
He dealt with the content of his workshop smoothly; he brought things to his class and provided real life situations to clarify cross-cultural misunderstanding:
Situation 1: Once Mr. Chris was driving his car along a road when he saw a non-American student walking down the street. Out of his thoughtfulness, he offered him a lift to the university. The guy said, “OK” and started walking again. Because he was answered “OK” three times for his question: “Would you like me to give you a lift to the university?” Mr. Chris asked, “OK what?” The student said:”OK. It’s nice walking to the university”.
☺OK for Yes/No question means “yes”.
Situation 2: Mr. Chris was in an African country on one of USAID programs. For the first two weeks everything was ok and the class was full of children. In the third week, no one came to the class and people began to be allergic to him. He was told that the reason was the American food. There was a packet of famous American food for children that had a big picture of a child. They thought that Americans eat children.
☺The picture on the packet means that this thing is found inside and is to be eaten.
Situation 3: Mr. Chris was once giving a class when one of his students, aged 80, said to him in a rough way: “I went to a food store yesterday. Why do you have 57 kinds of dog food, when there are people without enough to eat…?”
☺Variety and freedom of choice are national concepts in America.
Situation 4: At the presidency of John Kennedy, the Russian president paid an official visit to US. During their press talk, the Russian president said, “WE will bury you” with his hands crossed over his head. Next day, this caption was the cover page of US journals and magazines. The interrelations of both countries got worse than ever.
☺In Russia, “WE will bury you” means “We will outlast you”. The way the Russian president waved means “Thank you for your hospitality”.
☺OK for Yes/No question means “yes”.
Situation 2: Mr. Chris was in an African country on one of USAID programs. For the first two weeks everything was ok and the class was full of children. In the third week, no one came to the class and people began to be allergic to him. He was told that the reason was the American food. There was a packet of famous American food for children that had a big picture of a child. They thought that Americans eat children.
☺The picture on the packet means that this thing is found inside and is to be eaten.
Situation 3: Mr. Chris was once giving a class when one of his students, aged 80, said to him in a rough way: “I went to a food store yesterday. Why do you have 57 kinds of dog food, when there are people without enough to eat…?”
☺Variety and freedom of choice are national concepts in America.
Situation 4: At the presidency of John Kennedy, the Russian president paid an official visit to US. During their press talk, the Russian president said, “WE will bury you” with his hands crossed over his head. Next day, this caption was the cover page of US journals and magazines. The interrelations of both countries got worse than ever.
☺In Russia, “WE will bury you” means “We will outlast you”. The way the Russian president waved means “Thank you for your hospitality”.
In an interesting sequence, he turned to talk about the United States as a nation of immigrants. He attributed that to some general cultural values:
I. Individual Freedom & Self Reliance
Americans expect nothing from any man; they consider themselves as standing alone. That’s why they are called “Do It Yourself” DIY society.
II. Equality of Opportunity / Informality
There is no aristocracy in America. All people have equal opportunities of advancement.
III. Individual Privacy / Suspicion of Government
Americans distrust their politicians and government. That’s why they don’t have ID card, and education is governed by local school boards and home schooling.
IV. Time – Future Oriented
Time for Americans is a resource to be used; it is something tangible. Therefore, in many cultures, the typical American answer, “I’m sorry, but I don’t have time”, doesn’t make sense as a response to a dinner invitation.
V. Progress = Change = Progress
Americans believe that progress means change and change means progress. Related to this is the assumption that variety and choice is automatically a good thing.
VI. Educational System
Education is an “adventure of learning” with the goal of developing critical and creative thinking skills. Classroom style is a dialogue between teacher and students.
VII. Rule of Law
The US concept of “rule of law” includes the idea that the same system of law applies to everyone, regardless of social status or position.
I. Individual Freedom & Self Reliance
Americans expect nothing from any man; they consider themselves as standing alone. That’s why they are called “Do It Yourself” DIY society.
II. Equality of Opportunity / Informality
There is no aristocracy in America. All people have equal opportunities of advancement.
III. Individual Privacy / Suspicion of Government
Americans distrust their politicians and government. That’s why they don’t have ID card, and education is governed by local school boards and home schooling.
IV. Time – Future Oriented
Time for Americans is a resource to be used; it is something tangible. Therefore, in many cultures, the typical American answer, “I’m sorry, but I don’t have time”, doesn’t make sense as a response to a dinner invitation.
V. Progress = Change = Progress
Americans believe that progress means change and change means progress. Related to this is the assumption that variety and choice is automatically a good thing.
VI. Educational System
Education is an “adventure of learning” with the goal of developing critical and creative thinking skills. Classroom style is a dialogue between teacher and students.
VII. Rule of Law
The US concept of “rule of law” includes the idea that the same system of law applies to everyone, regardless of social status or position.
2 comments:
Well done Shady.I think you have covered everything said in the lecture,but there is alitlle bit exaggaration in the choice of some words.
Nasr
Thank u Mr nasr for ur comment, but I'd like to tell u something. When u evaluate something, u have to show ur point of view. If u read my summary carefully, u will find that I show my opinion and then I support it with evidence.
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