1. What is Culture?

8. Culture
Culture is a society’s shared and socially transmitted ideas, values, and perceptions, which are used to make sense of experience which generates and are reflected in behavior.

9. Culture Shock
Culture shock is the personal disorientation a person may feel when experiencing an unfamiliar way of life due to immigration or a visit to a new country, a move between social environments.

10. Elements of Culture Society Traditions Religion Politics
Art & Literature
Ethics
Science & Technology

11. East vs. West What’s the difference?
Illustrations by Yang Liu from “East meets West” book –
What differences have you experienced?

12. Way to think 思维方式 West: Linear (direct associations)
East: Spiral (roundabout and subtle)

13. Way of life 生活方式 West: Individualistic, independent, values freedom
East: Group orientated, values harmony and stability

14. Punctuality 准时 West: Start and end on time
East: Appointment times flexible
Don’t be late (rude). Call in advance if you can’t make it.

15. Connections 人际关系 West: Small number of close connections
East: Highly connected web

16. Anger 对待愤怒 West: Argumentative, verbal
East: Difficult to say no, non-verbal
Show your feelings up front – people prefer to hear your problem before it becomes bigger

17. Queuing 排队 West: Manors important (be polite)
East: Each for his/her own

18. In the restaurant
在餐厅

19. Standard of beauty
美丽的标准
West: like dark skin
East: like white skin

20. Way to solve
problems
处理问题

21. Senior’s daily life
老人的日常生活

22. Shower time
洗浴时间

23. Boss 领导

24. The child 孩子

25. New things
对待新事物

26. Image of each other
想像中的对方

27. Cultural Differences * but of course there are obvious exceptions
West (US / Europe)
East (China / East Asia)
Logic
Linear (direct associations)
Spiral (roundabout)
Communication
Direct, verbal
Indirect, implied
Identity
Individual, independent
Group orientated
Agreement / Disagreement
Argumentative, verbal
Hard to say no, non-verbal
Punctuality
Start and end on time
Appointments flexible
Respect
Success, achievement
Seniority, wisdom
Business Relationship
Economics come first
Relationship comes first
Decision Making
Distributed, proactive
Manager has final say
Time Horizon
Short term (per quarter)
Long term (years ahead)
Risk / Spending
Risk-takers, spend
Risk-avoiders, save
* but of course there are obvious exceptions

28. Common Culture Shock - Activity
In groups, make a list and discuss some culture shock observations you have made since being in the U.S.

29. Common Culture Shock - US
Party culture - more parties, more dancing
Service industry (bank, store)
Strangers say hello in the streets
Tipping at restaurants
Eat fast food often, eat quickly
Food is different
Language barriers
Clothes/fashion is different
Architecture - shopping malls
Way of thinking
Climate

30. How to Deal with Culture Shock
When in Rome...
Ask why, why, why, why, why
Take a foreign culture break
OSU Counseling Services for international students

31. References http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Cambodia