1. PROFESSOR : JESSICA VÀSQUEZ SUBJECT : AUDIOLINGUISTIC LAB TOPIC : REPORT OF CULTURE INTEGRATORS : SUSANA GOMEZ ILSE COMPARAZ FEDERICO VAUGH DELIVER DATE : AUGUST, 17, 2019

3.  Every country has an identity. Every region has an identity. In fact, every alley has its identity. And this identity is curiously aligned to culture, which is referred to as a by-product of race or ethnicity.  While there are instances inscribed in history in which people from different cultures have been at loggerheads, there are other instances where people embraced each other because of it.  And then, there are some cultures, which are so intriguing that people are keen to study them further. Take for instance, the Maori culture.  Every country has an identity. Every region has an identity. In fact, every alley has its identity. And this identity is curiously aligned to culture, which is referred to as a by-product of race or ethnicity.  While there are instances inscribed in history in which people from different cultures have been at loggerheads, there are other instances where people embraced each other because of it.  And then, there are some cultures, which are so intriguing that people are keen to study them further. Take for instance, the Maori culture.

4.  Knowing when to bow in Japan can seem daunting for first-time visitors, particularly because bowing isn't so common in the West.  In Japan, great emphasis is placed on executing a proper bow; some Japanese companies hone employees' bowing etiquette even though people begin learning how to bow from a young age. Watch out: some employees are trained for drinking sessions, too!  During first-time meetings, many Japanese will avoid an awkward situation by offering to shake hands with Westerners instead. In formal settings and business engagements, sometimes a combination of handshakes and bows will ensue.

5.  We discovered that simple cultural differences in giving flowers can make all the difference. Take the potted plant. In Brazil, it makes a great gift at dinner parties so the anfitrião (host) or anfitriã (hostess) won’t have to scramble for a vase.  In Japan, however, you should never give a sick person a potted plant. A potted plant takes root, and the Japanese expression for “taking root” is 根付く, pronounced “nezuku.”  But in Mexico a host do not gift red and yellow flower the mexican people.

7. COLOMBIA  Colombians are generally very happy, outgoing people, who set great store by social interactions. They love to tell people about almost every aspect of their country and its culture and history, and they do so with such enthusiasm that it may seem like boasting. It is important not to snub any aspect of Colombia, as this is likely to get you off on the wrong foot with the proud locals.  Family is also a very important part of Colombian life, and as such expect to see traditional roles maintained in the household. Meeting with family members will take priority over friends and business colleagues, so do not be offended if you appear to be ‘blow off’ in favour of a family event. Unfortunately, this focus on family can also make it difficult for foreigners to get integrated into Colombian society.

8.  It’s important to remove both your coat and your shoes when entering someone’s home. Your host may even have slippers for you to wear while you are there. Bring a small gift. Flowers are very well received but ensure they are an odd number, as even numbers are associated with burials. Yellow flowers in the house are considered bad luck.  When entering a place of worship, women should cover their head and shoulders. Many churches will not allow men or women in if they are wearing shorts. Men should also remove their hats when entering a church.