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Bridging The Cultural Gap

Indiana UniversityKelley School of BusinessC. Randall Powell, Ph.D

Contents used in this presentation are adapted from Career Planning Strategies and used with the permission of the author.

As Americans, Are We Aware that there is a Cultural Gap with much of

the Rest of the World?

BBridging the Cultural Gapridging the Cultural Gap

““The Cultural Gap?” Why bother….The Cultural Gap?” Why bother….

……because, like it or not, we because, like it or not, we exist in a global economy….exist in a global economy….

……and we are a focal point of and we are a focal point of global politics….global politics….

……like it or not….like it or not….

……and we are the world’s most and we are the world’s most pervasive cultural influence..pervasive cultural influence..

……like it or not….like it or not….

ARE WE STILLARE WE STILL

THE UGLYAMERICANS?

What IS the “Ugly What IS the “Ugly American”?American”?

. “The Ugly American was a caricature built on the reality of a boisterous, loud, uncultured, unsophisticated, arrogant, insensitive clod -- one who was prone to throwing around too much money, dressing absurdly, and acting oblivious to the subtleties of high culture.”

...Richard Crepeau, Professor of History, University of Central Florida-Orlando, “The Ugly American: Everybody Wants One”

http://www.poppolitics.com/articles/2001-05-08-american.shtml

Do Other Countries Have Similar Cultural Gaps?

So if we are so ugly…..So if we are so ugly…..

What United States Industry still has a

Huge Trade Surplus ?

A little more than 7% of Hollywood’s income A little more than 7% of Hollywood’s income comes from domestic theater ticket sales comes from domestic theater ticket sales whereas overseas ticket sales double that.whereas overseas ticket sales double that.

TheENTERTAINMENT

INDUSTRY !

..we have met the American, and he is ..we have met the American, and he is us….we wish…us….we wish…

“Large numbers of young Europeans have chosen to model their lives on what they find in American popular culture. The lure of MTV, the advertising machinery, and the movies have made the American "look" the ideal and standard for the new generation. The fact that this might irritate their parents only makes it more attractive.”

““The Ugly American:The Ugly American:Everybody Wants One.”Everybody Wants One.”

“…. this is not a temporary fascination with American culture. This is a taste that has been carefully constructed and cultivated by both producers and consumers and will be very

difficult to purge.”...Richard Crepeau, Professor of History, University of

Central Florida-Orlando, “The Ugly American: Everybody Wants One”

The Ugly American:The Ugly American:NOTNOT Everybody Wants One. Everybody Wants One.

Of course, while American cultural, political and economic influence pervades societies throughout the globe – most obviously in the Westernized or “First World” states – it also brings about backlash and rejection….

We must understand and accept We must understand and accept that there continue to be cultural that there continue to be cultural gaps with which we must cope.gaps with which we must cope.

…and if we are living and working in a foreign country, we certainly must learn to respect those cultural differences.

We are goal We are goal oriented!oriented!

We go to a foreign country with a goal.

Success in achieving that goal depends upon a sensitivity to the effect of cultural differences.

Some general truths:Some general truths:

Everything other than weather and gravity is shaped by the way we think as cultural beings.

The way we grew up affects our ways of expressing affection, dressing, eating… and thinking.

Many of you have visited or lived Many of you have visited or lived in other countries-to name a few:in other countries-to name a few:

Afghanistan Egypt IrelandArgentina Estonia IsraelAustralia Finland ItalyBelgium France JapanBelize Georgia JordanBurma Germany KazakhstanChile Greece LebanonChina Hong Kong NetherlandsCroatia Hungary NorwayCuba India PolandDenmark Indonesia South Africa

Let’s shareLet’s share….some of our

ownpersonal experiences.

Western versus non-Western Western versus non-Western cultural viewpoints….cultural viewpoints….WESTERN

Mastering environment

Time consciousness

No patience

NON-WESTERN

Part of nature, subject to same forces that determine environment

No time pressure

Patience revered and as a sign of strength. A focus on ceremony and personal relationships as much as on finished product

Western vs. Non-western: Cultural Western vs. Non-western: Cultural generalizations continued:generalizations continued:

Linear thinking: Decisions based on scientific and logical thinking.

Personal space and privacy

Truth is truth, yes means yes – no fear of embarrassing people

Non-linear thinking often based on anecdotes and personal experience.

Communal space and activities

Yes may not mean yes (fear of embarrassing others)

General truths: Continued:General truths: Continued:

We always tend to see other people through filters relative to our upbringing

Human thoughts in general are frequently based upon generalizations and/or stereotypes.

Stereotyping…..Stereotyping…..While there is a real danger

of stereotyping – and being stereotyped – when one discusses cultural differences, they do exist.

The Ugly American, the Cunning Asian, the Reserved Brit, the Excitable Arab…these are all stereotypes.

What is a stereotype?What is a stereotype?

Taking one thing about one individual and applying it to the whole group to which that individual belongs…..

A lazy way of categorizing people !

Stereotyping activity….Stereotyping activity….

Always examine your assumptions Always examine your assumptions by asking:by asking:

Am I making assumptions on that person based on the person being in a particular category?

Am I being sensitive to national culture when doing business?

Am I being respectful and attentive to the culture that I am in contact with?

?

Remember….Remember….We ALL are conditioned by our

environmentBeing conscious of ways our

culture impacts on others leads to a better understanding of how to influence people positively.

Therefore:Therefore:

Approach those we deal with with more humility.

Listen, ask questions, watch carefully and try to understand why they behave the way they do.

And…..And…..

Never, repeat - never assume that simply because a foreign national speaks English that he/she

“thinks American”

ABOVE ALL:ABOVE ALL:Enjoy your stay in the foreign landDo your business to help them and

help yourselves.…….and always remember to

respect the beliefs and cultures of other societies.

Evaluation QuestionsEvaluation Questionsa. Strongly agreea. Strongly agreeb. Agreeb. Agreec. Disagreec. Disagreed. Strongly disagreed. Strongly disagreee. Don’t knowe. Don’t know

1. I found the presentation of material easy to understand.

2. This session increased my knowledge on the subject presented.

3. I will be able to use some of the information from this session in the future.

4. The presenter was well prepared for this session.

5. The presentation should be repeated in the future.

Bridging the American

Cultural Gap

If you would like to If you would like to learn more, learn more, Career Career Planning StrategiesPlanning Strategies textbook will supply textbook will supply additional additional information on this information on this topic.topic.