Culture MattersLauren Fahey

The Importance of Understanding!

One important goal in all aspects of living is learning to understand yourself and others. Not only should you learn the local language to communicate- but also the culture of the people.

You must learn what could possibly offend so you have a greater “respect, tolerance and acceptance…to interact successfully…”

One tip for success is to be wary of generalizations

What is culture? There are many components of culture; some

are more evident than others (like holidays customs and styles of dress) but all aspects come together to create the culture of a group of people

What people believe in and their values also have a large impact on how people behave

Universal, cultural and personal

These are three aspects of human culture: Universal: the way in which all people from all

groups are the same Cultural: what a certain group of people all

have the same, what makes them unique from other groups of people

Personal: how each individual differs from everyone else

How do people aquire their culture?

People will learn a culture in two ways: 1. In childhood- as a child you learn how to

perform basic day to day activities 2. As an adult- you must relearn these basic

activities based on how they differ in a new culture

If you are learning a new culture there are five steps that may make it easier

1. observe how the people in this culture act differently 2. Try and carry out this observed behavior on your own3. People will begin to encourage your new behavior, and over time, you this new behavior will

begin to become natural4. People will not need to give you encouragement and you will not need to focus as much

during your new behavior5. At this stage you will not need to focus at all, the action will be completely natural

The mindset of a culture

Two people from different cultures may look at the same situation completely different

Behaviors should be thought of in two separate ways:

1. “the meaning given to it by the person who does the action”

2. “the meaning given to it by the person who observes he action”

Fundamentals of culture

There are four main parts of culture:1. The concept of self2. Personal vs societal obligations3. The concept of time4. The locus of control

American culture and diversity

Its very important to know how your culture is different and similar to surrounding cultures

See how people are different in relation to YOU

Culture in casual expression

One easy way to observe a culture is to examine people engaging in casual, everyday conversations.

American views compared to those of

a host country1. American attitude towards age: “emphasize physical beauty/youth”-”fire older people to hire younger people for less money”-”judge a workers wotth based on production, rather than seniority”Age is not valued much in American culture2. Concept of fate and destiny-”you can be whatever you want to be”-”where theres a will theres a way”-”the American dream is rags-to-riches”In America, “the concept of self-determination negates much of the influence of

fate and destiny”

3. Human Nature “Courts consider a person innocent until he/she is proven guilty.

“ “People should be given the benefit of the doubt. ““If left alone, people will do the right thing.” “We need to discover how a vicious killer “went wrong.”In America people are thought of as inherently good4. Attitude towards change“New is better.” “A better way can always be found; things can always be im-

proved upon.” “Just because we’ve always done it that way doesn’t make it

right.”Change is considered positive because it usually is equal to

progress

5. Attitude towards taking risks“A low level of personal savings is typical.” “You can always start over. ““Nothing ventured, nothing gained. ““A high level of personal bankruptcies is common.”Americans feel as though there is no real danger in taking

risks because failure is only temporary6. Concept of suffering and misfortune“ People rush to cheer up a friend who’s depressed.” “ If you’re unhappy, take a pill or see a psychiatrist.” “Be happy”Since Americans feel as though they are incontrol of their

lives, they are willing to do anything to be in charge of their emotions

7. Concept of face“It’s important to tell it like it is, be straight with people”.“Confrontation is sometimes necessary to clear the air”. “ Honesty is the best policy.”8. Source of self esteem/ self worth“People judge you by how much money you make”. “ First question at a party is, “What do you do?” “ Material possessions are a measure of success.”Since America is an individualistic culture- you are what you

achieve9. Concept of Equality“ People try to treat everyone the same.”.” Putting on airs is frowned upon.”

10. Attitude Towards Formality“ Telling someone to help themselves to what’s in

the refrigerator is common”” Using first names with people you’ve just met is

fine.”“Using titles like “Dr”. for someone with a Ph.D. is

presumptuous.”11. Degree of Realism“ Things will get better.” “ Bad things happen for a reason”.“ It can’t get any worse.” “ Tag line of fairy tales: “They lived happily ever

after.”

12. Attitude Towards Doing“ Doing is preferred over talking.”“ The absent-minded professor, the ivory tower

reflectanti-intellectualism.” “ Be practical, Arts are an adornment of life but

not central to it.”13. View of the Natural WorldV”Building dams to control rivers”. “ Seeding clouds to produce rain. ““ Erecting earthquake-proof buildings.” “ Spending billions annually on weather

prediction.”

introduction Jamaica was “discovered” by Christopher

Columbus in 1494 and settled on by the Spanish. The Native tribe eventually were exterminated

and were replaced with African slaves The island was siexed by England in 1655 but

withdrew in 1962 There was major violence and crime during the

1970s and the poverty of this country makes it difficult for the government today

geography Located in the Carribean, south of Cuba Total area is 10,991 sq km It is slightly smaller than CT The climate is tropical There are heavy rates of deforestation and

coastal pollution, also there is damage to the coral reefs and air pollution

people The nationality of people is Jamaican The ethnic makeup is 91.2% black, 6.2% mixed,

2.6% other or unknown English and english patois are commonly

spoken The most common religion is protestant Roughly 2889187 people are living in Jamaica

How is Jamaica's culture changing?

Jamaican culture has changed significantly since it was settled upon and is changing even more in recent years.

The poverty is still rampant, there is also a lot of gang violence fueled by the drug trade which is brought on by unemployment

How have your expectations of

Jamaica changed? I still think that Jamaica has a fascinating

culture I thought it was terrible how high the

unemployment rate (27%) was and how it is pejoratively effecting the rate of crime

I also thought it was interesting how Jamaica is roughly the size of CT

sources https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-wor

ld-factbook/geos/jm.html http://wws.peacecorps.gov/wws/publications/cul

ture/pdf/introduction.pdf http://wws.peacecorps.gov/wws/publications/cul

ture/pdf/chapter1.pdf http://wws.peacecorps.gov/wws/publications/cul

ture/pdf/chapter2.pdf