In the beginning of our life in Canada, once we were invited for a visit by a Quebecois family; they said it would be a dinner in a home environment. A few other guests were invited, too. I must admit that we, Russians, love these kinds of ‘home-dinner-party’. Actually, it is in our culture.
As recommended, we bought a couple of bottle of wine, some chocolate, and I don’t even remember what else – it does not matter.
I should say that the way to their home took about one hour; so, when we showed up at their home I was a bit hungry.
Just to explain how it usually goes on in Russia: when everybody sits at the table, guests begin to eat and drink, and then the conversation starts. Wishing it was!
After hand-shaking and welcome kisses, the hosts gave us a tour of their home, represented to other guests and got us some Champaign. There were also some small pieces of food on the table aside. Not that much, I would say! And, you know what? We started a small talk, which was dragging on and on and on… How long? Maybe it was only my imagination but it seemed about one hour. Ah! On top of that! All that time we had been standing before we were finally asked to sit at the table.
So, I was drunk, exhausted, and starving to death!
Now, I see that the problem was in mismatch between my assumptions and expectations and the local traditions and customs of hospitality. They gave me the warmest welcome, but I could not enjoy it because I was not properly prepared.
It served me as a good example of intercultural communication conflict. After that, whenever I go for a dinner to a Canadian family, I eat in advance.
2012-03-26
full of allusions
it is like a conundrum full of allusions to american and sometimes international cultural artifacts like events, movies, heroes and so on.
we are supposed to be larger educated and well informed, in other words -- enculturated -- to fully enjoy all these parodies, to estimate its multilayered structure.
i really love such sophisticated stuff: it motivates me to learn culture.
try to guess what i am talking about!
we are supposed to be larger educated and well informed, in other words -- enculturated -- to fully enjoy all these parodies, to estimate its multilayered structure.
i really love such sophisticated stuff: it motivates me to learn culture.
try to guess what i am talking about!
2012-03-17
Epitome of American Humor: ‘Epic’ Daily Show Segment Blasts U.S. For Cutting Off UNESCO Funding
What I love about Americans that they do not take themselves too seriously.
I do not know this guy, but I am really impressed by his ability of making jokes with a dead-pan face!
Enjoy!
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/epic-daily-show-segment-blasts-u-s-for-cutting-off-unesco-funding/
I do not know this guy, but I am really impressed by his ability of making jokes with a dead-pan face!
Enjoy!
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/epic-daily-show-segment-blasts-u-s-for-cutting-off-unesco-funding/
2012-03-15
Cross-gender communication
It is hard to imagine society itself without cross-gender communication, which is really important because men and women are still different not only biologically.
Considering this communication as a form of intercultural communication will help us to better understand the ways to develop related skills when speaking across genders.
A quick glance on the history of the modern human society can shed light on the questions why men and women speak differently and why language generally implies different roles for them. Obviously, it is consequences of the agricultural and industrial revolutions, patriarchate dominance, and some other important acting factors like religion, etc.
For a member of society, gender predefines belonging to a family group like wife or husband; therefore, in certain cases, an ascribed societal role can lead to an achieved role. During life, some roles can be changed, but behavior expectations to each role, formed by society norms and mores, generally stay the same.
The first place in life where a child begins to adopt these norms and expectations is the family in which he or she lives. On the other hand, the most important mean of communication is the language the family speaks. Language usage reflects the roles ascribed to men and women, and it is mirrored even in grammatical gender. Diversity of cultural and historical backgrounds has huge impact on forming gender specific aspects of every language.
For example, in Arabic, the question How many children do you have? sounds literally like How many boys do you have? The word ‘girl’ in German (Mädchen) is treated as neuter. In Russian, it is impossible to call some professions like blacksmith, carpenter, etc. as feminine. (In fact, in Russian, everything is possible to say, but it would be really awkward and funny.)
Another interesting phenomenon is the way of speaking that is commonly expected from men and women in a particular society. Not to make anyone blushing by giving examples, but ladies are not supposed to use some expressions and so on.
Moreover, in culturally mixed environments, like that in Canada, the situation at the family and society level can be more complex because of the different norms and behavioural patterns added by immigrants to the whole mosaic.
All in all, to speak effectively, to be understood correctly, to avoid risqué situations when it comes to cross-gender communication, it requires special linguistic practices and knowing the cultural background and context.
Considering this communication as a form of intercultural communication will help us to better understand the ways to develop related skills when speaking across genders.
A quick glance on the history of the modern human society can shed light on the questions why men and women speak differently and why language generally implies different roles for them. Obviously, it is consequences of the agricultural and industrial revolutions, patriarchate dominance, and some other important acting factors like religion, etc.
For a member of society, gender predefines belonging to a family group like wife or husband; therefore, in certain cases, an ascribed societal role can lead to an achieved role. During life, some roles can be changed, but behavior expectations to each role, formed by society norms and mores, generally stay the same.
The first place in life where a child begins to adopt these norms and expectations is the family in which he or she lives. On the other hand, the most important mean of communication is the language the family speaks. Language usage reflects the roles ascribed to men and women, and it is mirrored even in grammatical gender. Diversity of cultural and historical backgrounds has huge impact on forming gender specific aspects of every language.
For example, in Arabic, the question How many children do you have? sounds literally like How many boys do you have? The word ‘girl’ in German (Mädchen) is treated as neuter. In Russian, it is impossible to call some professions like blacksmith, carpenter, etc. as feminine. (In fact, in Russian, everything is possible to say, but it would be really awkward and funny.)
Another interesting phenomenon is the way of speaking that is commonly expected from men and women in a particular society. Not to make anyone blushing by giving examples, but ladies are not supposed to use some expressions and so on.
Moreover, in culturally mixed environments, like that in Canada, the situation at the family and society level can be more complex because of the different norms and behavioural patterns added by immigrants to the whole mosaic.
All in all, to speak effectively, to be understood correctly, to avoid risqué situations when it comes to cross-gender communication, it requires special linguistic practices and knowing the cultural background and context.
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