Topic Culture Cultural Differences, Cultural Awareness And How To Avoid Culture Shock.pdf

SUBJECT: ENGLISH COMMERCE 2

“CULTURE: CULTURAL DIFFERENCES,CULTURAL AWARENESS AND HOW TO

AVOID CULTURE SHOCK?”

GROUP: GROUP 3

LECTURER: MRS DANG THI KHANH HACLASS: 232_ENTI1012_74

2 Why does it matter? 7

II CULTURAL DIFFERENCES 8

1 Definition 8

2 Cross Cultural Differences 8

3 Different Cultures Around the World 9

III HOW TO FOSTER CULTURAL AWARENESS? 12

1 Definition 12

2 How to develop Cultural Awareness? 15

IV CULTURE SHOCK 16

1 What is Culture Shock? 17

2 How to avoid culture shock? 19

CONCLUSION 22

MEETING MINUTES 1GROUP: Group 3Time: 22:00 – 22:45, 19-02-2024

Place: Google Meetings

Participants: All group members

Contents for discussing: Culture: Cultural Differences, Cultural

Awareness and How to avoid Culture Shock?

Duties for participants:

Introduction, Conclusion, Check content + Word (1)

Nguyen Thuy Giang 25/2

What is Culture? (P2) (1) Ly Van Hieu 23/2 Cultural differences (P3) (1) Lai Thi Thu Ha 23/2

How to Foster Cultural Awareness? (P4) (1)

Nguyen Thi Minh Hanh 23/2

Culture Shock (P5) (1) Nguyen Thi Hong Hanh 23/2 Pptx + Check content (1) Le Thi Hao 28/2

Present@ All group members

- Check and fix word version - Division of work for each

- Summary of topic content - Take on the presentation of:

Lại Thị Thu Hà Member

- Completed the deadline on

- Take on the presentation of:

Lê Thị Hảo Member

- Completed the deadline on

Lý Văn Hiếu Member

- Completed the deadline on time

- Take on the presentation of:

CULTURE: CULTURAL DIFFERENCES, CULTURALAWARENESS AND HOW TO AVOID CULTURE SHOCK?

Culture is the intricate web of beliefs, customs, traditions, and values that shape the identity of a society or a group of people It is the lens through which individuals perceive the world around them and interpret their experiences However, within this tapestry of human existence, lie profound differences that distinguish one culture from another These disparities, while enriching the human experience, can also give rise to a phenomenon known as culture shock Whether it manifests in the form of confusion, frustration, or even anxiety, culture shock is a testament to the power of cultural diversity and the complexities of human interaction.

In exploring culture and its differences, it becomes evident that no two societies are alike From the customs and rituals that govern daily life to the language and communication styles used, each culture possesses its own unique set of norms and practices These differences not only shape individual identities but also influence broader social structures, institutions, and ideologies Understanding and navigating these cultural disparities is essential in today's interconnected world, where globalization has made cross-cultural interactions more prevalent than ever before Whether in the realms of business, diplomacy, or personal relationships, the ability to appreciate and respect cultural diversity is paramount in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation.

In this essay, we will provide an understanding of culturaldifferences and their accompanying consequences through threemain topics, namely cultural differences, cultural awareness, and how to cope withculture shock We hope to gain a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of human cultures that shape our world.

BODYI What is Culture?

1 What is Culture?

Culture encompasses religion, food, what we wear, how we wear it, our language, marriage, music and is different all over the world.

Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, encompassing language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts.

"Culture encompasses religion, food, what we wear, how we wear it, our language, marriage, music, what we believe is right or wrong, how we sit at the table, how we greet visitors, how we behave with loved ones and a million other things,".

2 Why does it matter?

2.1 Effective communication

If you are living abroad, it is natural to learn about the culture of that country However, Vietnamese people living in Vietnam also need to have knowledge about cultural differences.

Vietnam is integrating rapidly with the world, which means there will be more people from different countries coming to visit or live here Additionally, with the help of technology, we communicate with people from various cultural backgrounds on social media every day Therefore, understanding the culture of their countries will be very helpful in the communication process.

Knowledge about cultural differences also helps us fully comprehend various sources of information (books, newspapers, etc.) in different languages Language is not just a means of communication but also carries the cultural essence of the language-speaking region.

2.2 Building positive relationships

Enhancing awareness of cultural disparities facilitates deeper empathy and comprehension By grasping the nuances of diverse cultural norms, beliefs, and behaviors, we can cultivate a stronger sense of empathy towards others This understanding enables us to sidestep snap judgments, prevent misunderstandings, and forge connections grounded in mutual regard.

Moreover, cultural sensitivity nurtures trust and encourages cooperation among individuals hailing from varied cultural milieus When individuals perceive their cultural identities as respected and appreciated, they are inclined to trust and engage in collaborative endeavors, fostering harmonious and fruitful relationships.

2.3 Avoiding misunderstandings and conflicts

Nowadays, cultural conflicts occur more frequently, partly because travel between countries has become easier than before The convenience of online communication has also contributed to the inevitability of cultural clashes To avoid these undesirable conflicts, we need to understand cultural differences.

The most recent example is when a group of Korean tourists displayed a negative attitude when they were placed under quarantine in Vietnam due to COVID-19 They did not have a clear understanding of Vietnam, nor did they understand the significance of traditional Vietnamese bread Language barriers may also have played a role If they had researched and been aware of the cultural differences between the two countries, perhaps the situation would have been different.

II Cultural differences

1 Definition

Cultural differences are the various beliefs, behaviors, languages, practices and expressions considered unique to members of a specific ethnicity, race or national origin.

Some examples of cultural differences as they pertain to the workplace include employees who are younger or older than their co-workers, employees who hold higher degrees than others in the workplace and individuals who grew up in either metropolitan areas or small towns It is said that employees often have more similarities than they do differences, but those differences can sometimes outweigh the similarities While these various differences can create a more vibrant office, they can also lead to more than a few problems resulting from culture clash.

2 Cross Cultural Differences

One of the most apparent differences is a linguistic one People from different countries might face language barriers Insufficient language competence might lead to conflicts Translators and interpreters can help the parties understand each other These experts need specialized culture-specific knowledge to succeed

There are many culture-specific linguistic elements Some are metaphors, proverbs, and references to national literature and folklore These things are difficult to translate without specific knowledge One should be aware of the cultural implications behind such words There is such a phenomenon as culture-bound lacunae These words denote some concepts that do not exist in the other party’s culture There is no adequate analog in the other language Problems may arise even if both speakers use one language There are many differences in the use of it For instance, both speakers may be from the US, the UK, and Australia They will see many variations in the vocabulary of each other All parties can speak English and have trouble understanding each other.

Insufficient cultural awareness leads to conflicts One may offend a person of a different culture without a purpose It happens because of stereotypes, prejudices, and inadequate perceptions False expectations based on stereotypes and prejudices lead to false assumptions People hear what they expect to hear rather than what others mean This leads to incorrect conclusions. Cultural differences are apparent when comparing the norms of conduct The rules of social interaction vary in different countries Sometimes they differ even in the regions of the same country The rules of etiquette include: 

Business cards exchange;

Non-verbal signals and their meaning; Appropriate topics for small talk and more.

3 Different Cultures Around the World

Globalization and global expansion is the latest trend to have affected the world landscape of today Not surprisingly, the one thing that makes this globalization possible is cross-border communication and correspondence Along with

language, a country’s culture, norms, and values play a significant role in making this communication possible A country’s culture is more than just the way its people practice their traditions—it’s a complete way of life, communication, norms, and values that shape how society is formed.

China is known for coming up with some of the most unusual traditions like a uniform code of conduct Moreover, the factor of giving respect to the elders is a big must One unexpected fact about Chinese culture is that the red colour signifies happiness in the country.

We all should thank China for bringing Chow Mein and Manchurian to other plates China is also extremely particular about its work culture In other words, Chinese culture highlights the outstanding structure of different cultures around the world.

Main Languages: Fuzhou, Hokkien-Taiwanese, Xiang, and Gan.

Indian Culture

The glorious history of Indian culture speaks a lot about its vividness Also, Indian culture is the second most populated culture that wraps up an endless variety of lifestyles The coexistence of various religions in India strengthens its stand in front of the other cultures.

Besides, Indian architecture personifies the implausible touch of royalness That’s why most famous monuments like the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Qutub Minar are from India only The strong faith of Indians in the cycle of karma makes it an impactful culture that offers endless good lessons to learn from.

Main Languages: Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Kanada, Malayali, Tamil, Telugu, Assami and Orissi.

African Culture

African culture has attained a separate identity for its varied traditions, lifestyle, and languages The essence of this culture is that most of the tribes belong to Africa Hence, the culture follows a separate path of morals, aesthetics, and values Living on the rays of music, folk art, plus sculpture, African culture is more artistic and less political The courtship dance of the Wodaabe, the bull-jumping of the Hamar, the lip plates of the Mursi are the prosperous sides that empower the vibrance of African culture.

Abrahamic, Islam, and Christianity are the prominent religions that streamline the diversified perspective of the culture Here you can observe the remarkable variety of

vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes Also, the exploration of African culture seems like heaven for all those who love to explore the uniqueness of the Nigerian lifestyle.

Main Languages: Berber, Yoruba, Arabic, Igbo, Swahili, Hausa and Amharic.

III How to Foster Cultural Awareness?

1 Definition

What is Cultural Awareness?

Cultural awareness means being sensitive to the differences and similarities between two cultures when communicating or interacting with members of other cultural groups Cultural sensitivity involves inculcating values, attitudes, and knowledge that display openness and respect for different cultures, religions, languages, manner of dress, and communication styles

Being mindful of this diversity allows us to be more respectful of the way others operate based on their cultural backgrounds While you may not be intimately familiar with other cultures, if you at least understand your own culture and how it affects you, you can take the first step in developing a sense of cultural awareness when it comes to interacting with people who may have a different background than yourself.

Cultural awareness helps you understand yourself better, your weaknesses, your psychology, and how to become a better person It also helps with cognitive flexibility, problem-solving, decision–making, and improved communication skills

In the professional world, many people, including medical staff, diplomats, teachers, and business professionals, find that being culturally aware has a positive influence on their ability to perform their duties

In today’s increasingly global world, being culturally aware goes beyond speaking multiple languages and traveling to different countries across the globe Knowing what to do and what not to do in a foreign country, having intercultural communication skills, and being open to learning about new cultures are what makes someone more culturally aware.

Benefits of Cultural Awareness

Essentially, any person with some form of cultural understanding will benefit because cultural awareness is all about helping people get along without misunderstandings, confusion, or poor decisions getting in the way So, why is cultural awareness important?

It makes you more employable.

You might have heard that study abroad experiences and internships abroad are good resume boosters They sure

catch employers’ eyes but not only as academic accomplishments The fact that you’ve studied abroad means that you managed to leave your comfort zone and gain experience living in another country It also shows that you’ve studied or worked with people from different backgrounds, which is a great way of gaining cultural awareness.

You improve your communication skills.

Different cultures communicate differently A culturally aware person can navigate cultural differences in different contexts, both verbally and nonverbally For example, in some cultures, workplaces are more hierarchical than others In these countries, employees dress formally at work and communicate in the order of seniority Other cultures may be more relaxed, with more casual outfits and a more relaxed approach at work.

Your time abroad will be smoother.

We often talk about the exciting parts of going abroad but there are also some challenges involved, and culture shock is one of them Luckily, improving your cultural awareness skills before going abroad is a way of minimizing culture shock.

Especially if you’re going to a country with distinct lifestyle customs such as Japan, you might want to learn about its culture in advance This helps you set expectations and know what to do depending on the circumstance.

Travel will be more meaningful.

Culture is a big part of travel And cultural awareness enhances the travel experience! When you embrace local customs and traditions, you’re in for a more meaningful travel experience.