Bài thảo luận tiếng anh chuyên ngành 2 đề tài cultural differences and how to avoid culture shock

Advantages -Create cultural diversity, learn from other culturesCulture includes not only so-called superficial factors such as music or food, but also the beliefs and values that the pe

TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC THƯƠNG MẠIKHOA KHÁCH SẠN - DU LỊCH

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HỌC PHẦN: TIẾNG ANH CHUYÊN NGÀNH 2ĐỀ TÀI: Cultural differences and how to avoid culture shock

Hà Nội - 2023

Table of contents

1 Cultural differences 5

1.1 What are Cultural differences and advantages & drawbacks of them? 5

1.1.1 What are cultural differences ? 5

1.1.2 Advantages 5

1.1.3 Drawbacks 6

1.2 Types of differences and examples 7

1.2.1 Differences in Physical Appearance 7

1.2.2 Differences in Belief 7

1.2.3 Cultural Differences in Communication 7

1.3 How To Manage Cultural Differences in the Workplace 8

2.1 What is Culture Shock? 10

2.2 Culture Shock Stages 10

2.2.1 The honeymoon stage 10

2.2.2 The frustration stage 10

2.2.3 The adjustment stage 11

2.2.4 The adaptation stage 11

2.3 Culture shock symptoms 11

2.3.1 Feeling Homesick 11

2.3.2 Depression and anxiety 11

2.3.3 Disorientation 12

2.3.4 Isolation 12

2.4 How to avoid Culture Shock 12

2.4.1 Remember that it’s normal 12

2.4.2 Research the culture 12

2.4.3 Keep an open mind 13

2.4.4 Focus on the positive 13

2.4.5 Find a support group 13

2.4.6 Maintain your own culture 14

References 16

On the current path of globalization and integration, people from all regions, localities and countries have more opportunities to exchange, cooperate and interact with each other Since then, cultural exchange between cultures has become more and more popular, requiring people to constantly absorb and improve culture to suit the current development situation, but not forgetting the part of preserving National cultural identity Along with that, the development of organizations in general and transnational organizations in particular is the most obvious manifestation of the above cultural exchange However, cultural exchange is not simple, but conflicts and contradictions are not as expected, profoundly affecting the activities of organizations

and countries Therefore, group 1 conducted a study on the topic of Culturaldifferences and how to avoid culture shock to better understand this familiar aspect.

1 Cultural differences

1.1 What are Cultural differences and advantages & drawbacks of them?

1.1.1 What are cultural differences ?

Cultural differences are distinct features, the uniqueness is affirmed and promoted in association with the life and culture of individuals in each locality, each region, and each country Man is a highly social creature, always in a state of communication or contact with others, especially in today's modern society So, respecting our differences is the key to a healthy society, to lasting relationships, and to the development of our own thinking and abilities.

1.1.2 Advantages

-Create cultural diversity, learn from other cultures

Culture includes not only (so-called superficial) factors such as music or food, but also the beliefs and values that the people living in that culture hold – as defined by UNESCO Man is a product of culture, but culture is also a product of man This said: we can learn from other cultures to improve our weaknesses and strengthen our cultural strengths For example, "pure customs" values will sometimes no longer be relevant in the present time In the past, women had to adhere to the "three obediences and four virtues", but in this day and age, this concept is no longer relevant.

-Cognitive diversity

Each region, each locality, each country will have different characteristics and cultures So it helps to increase people's cognitive ability in all aspects.

-Personal learning and growth

Cultural differences also play an important role in helping us develop ourselves By growing and learning from different cultures, we can expand our knowledge, improve our communication skills, become flexible and develop multi-dimensional thinking.

-International business development

Cultural differences are also essential to developing international business Understanding the regulations, laws, markets and cultures of different countries will help us strengthen our business strategies and make appropriate decisions to grow our business globally.

-Work effectively in a multicultural environment

In today's world, it is common to work with people from many different cultures Cultural differences will help us understand and avoid confusion in communication and develop better working relationships.

1.1.3 Drawbacks -Cultural conflicts

Reconciling cultural conflicts requires knowledge of cultural differences Today, cultural conflicts are more frequent, in part because it is easier to travel between countries than before More convenient online communication also makes cultural conflicts inevitable Most recently, a group of Korean tourists had a bad attitude when isolated due to the COVID-19 epidemic in Vietnam They do not understand Vietnam well, nor do they understand the traditional Vietnamese bread Language barriers can also be a reason If they had learned and realized the differences in the two cultures, perhaps it would not have been the case.

-Difficult communication

If you are living in a foreign country, it is natural to learn about the culture of the host country However, Vietnamese living in Vietnam also need to understand cultural differences Vietnam is integrating very quickly with the world, there will be more and more people from many other countries coming to travel or live Besides, with the help of technology, every day we are communicating with people from many different cultures on social networks Therefore, understanding the culture of their country will help a lot in the communication process.

-Causes difficulties in business and orientation

If not handled effectively, cultural differences can cause difficulties in business development and direction, when an organization or business does not understand and apply the policy of cultural values culture of another country or region This will not only affect the business of a business, but also the economy of a country, a country.

-Causing ignorance

Cultural differences can also cause ignorance and prejudice, when people do not understand or accept the different values, beliefs or actions of others.

-Causing segregation and stigma

When one cultural group feels constrained or lacks fairness in the social decisions made by another group, this can cause huge separation and stigma.

In short, cultural differences also bring advantages, helping us to expand our understanding and work effectively in a multicultural environment However, it also brings certain disadvantages Thus, properly understanding and dealing with these disadvantages can be overcome and cultural differences can bring many benefits to each person and organization.

1.2 Types of differences and examples

1.2.1 Differences in Physical Appearance

The first thing we notice about someone who is different from us is probably visual (unless visually impaired people) Outward markers of cultural difference are obvious and important ways that cultural identities are maintained These markers include:

-Dress (Clothing, Jewelry)

What we wear and how we wear it are universal markers of culture.Easterners tend to dress more conservatively than Westerners Wearing short, revealing clothes on the street is completely normal in Western culture, but it can be seen as offensive in the East Moreover, with people who follow religions or special cultures, they have their own unique clothes that you can recognize just by looking at them.

-Body modifications

Tattooing, scarring (scarification), and other modifications have existed in human culture for millennia In addition to still being prevalent in some traditional cultures, they have also been adopted as markers of numerous subcultures in modern societies, particularly in the West.

-Body language

Many cultures and subcultures use hand signals and other body language as non-verbal cues that mark cultural distinctiveness Some examples: Nodding your head generally means agreement or approval but, Bulgarians and Greeks are known for their unusual manner of saying yes and no Nodding up and down signifies a negative Or sitting cross legged is common in North America and some European countries but it’s viewed as disrespectful to show the sole of your shoe to another person in Asia and the Middle East.

1.2.2 Differences in Belief

People from different cultures believe different things For some cultures, this may be unimportant or trivial, but for others, a common set of beliefs that are unlike the beliefs of any other culture are what sets the culture apart This is a hallmark of religion as well as certain political cultures These are related to fundamental issues such as stances on bodily autonomy, personal liberty, the significance of the family, and many others.

1.2.3 Cultural Differences in Communication

Cultural differences that manifest in communication refer to the variations observed between people engaging in a conversation due to differences in their values, beliefs, norms, and behaviors One can address these differences and communicate effectively by being more culturally sensitive Cultural sensitivity is critical as it helps

people deliver content that is tailored to people in different regions Cultural sensitivity is critical as it helps people break the cultural barriers and understand ways in which they can appreciate people who are different from them This helps people with different cultural backgrounds to relate well Therefore, one can know how to communicate effectively and avoid words that can cause misunderstandings 1.3 How To Manage Cultural Differences in the Workplace

The best way to practice effective communication in a multi-cultural environment is by keeping an open mind, have some knowledge of cultural differences, practice active listening and watch your nonverbal communication as well your voice tone Kindness and empathy are much appreciated in this context.

1.3.1 Open Communication

When hiring any team member, it is crucial to have a chat about what they expect from the workplace, and get some of an idea of their needs This helps to build a positive workplace culture, and while it is important for any team member it is especially crucial for those of different cultures to have an open line of communication Make sure that you make it clear to your team that any comments, complaints or suggestions are always welcomed and encouraged.

Maintaining an inquisitive attitude, understanding cultural differences, exercising good listening skills (getting acclimated to other accents), and observing your non-verbal communication and tone of voice are some effective ways to practice good communication in order to manage cultural differences.

One great way to ensure open communication while having cultural diversity in the workplace is to have frequent meetings with your team, and address any issues or invite them to share any problems that they may have.Having a huddle room is great for small, casual meetings - and if your team is more remote, making use of an interactive display is a great idea, as they can join in the meeting from their personal device - it’s the next best thing to being there!

1.3.2 Cultural Appreciation

When hiring team members from different cultures, it is of tantamount importance to ensure that their culture is respected and appreciated

Make sure that everyone knows that xenophobic or racist comments, even if they are intended as a joke, are strictly not ok and will result in a disciplinary action While you’re at it, it’s a good idea to include any other prejudices in that: whether they be homophobic, sexist, ableist or sizeist - creating a diverse workplace is all about acceptance

Also be sure to appreciate any cultural needs that your team may have Some people wear headscarves for religious reasons, others don’t eat certain things Make

sure that all of these are accounted for and included, and make the rest of your team aware of them.

1.3.3 Pay attention to dressing sense

Even though most businesses need formal or at least appropriate attire, some civilizations, often in religious contexts, mandate a specific clothing code Some Islamic females wear the hijab, whereas Sikh males wear the turban Restricting someone's right to practice their faith is immoral.

New generations, who prioritize individual expression above compliance and conventional professional attire, dress more informally at work than older generations, who favor uniformity and traditional professional wear The non-interference of religion or prejudices into professional activities is a requirement of secularism However, it does not strive to eliminate the viewpoint or practice in question; rather, it supports an individual's freedom to freely exercise it as long as it does not create any difficulty for others.

1.3.4 Avoid discrimination

It is important to implement company policies and discourage a hostile work environment

It is imperative to educate all employees on all forms of discrimination and the adverse effects it could have on them personally and on the company collectively A company should construct an employee handbook that establishes expectations and defines discrimination The employer should also warn of the potential disciplinary actions that could result in participating in discriminatory practices Training should be carried out routinely to ensure your company is proactive in tackling discrimination and addressing diversity in the workplace.

Training allows employers to define historical misconceptions and prejudice It provides an opportunity to explain inappropriate language and potential triggers that can spark a hospital work environment If possible, make time for team-building activities Team-building exercises boost communication and establish an understanding of one another Some examples of team-building exercises include a company dinner or retreat that introduces cultural discovery aimed to unite employees.

-Complaint Policy and Procedure

If an employee thinks they have experienced discrimination, they should feel comfortable reporting the discriminatory activity Many times after experiencing harsh discrimination, especially by a supervisor, an employee feels intimidated and fears they will be retaliated against or fired for reporting it.

-Communicate with Your Employees

Another good practice to prevent workplace discrimination is to communicate with your employees consistently It is helpful to gain feedback on their experience on the job and if they have experienced discrimination firsthand or witnessed it on the job Welcoming on-going communication will help your employees feel more comfortable relaying their concerns It also reassures them that you have their best interest in mind.

2 Culture Shock

2.1 What is Culture Shock?

Cultural shock is a term to describe the feelings of homesickness, loneliness, and alienation that are felt by people when they are away from their home environment This feeling can be aggravated for people who move to a different country or region of the world where they do not speak the language or understand cultural norms.

In other words, cultural shock is the feeling of disorientation that you get when you move from a familiar culture to an unfamiliar culture It includes the shock of being away from friends and family You may also feel overwhelmed by the sudden change in the environment and different people that you meet It can be caused by a range of things, both big and small, such as unfamiliar greetings and hand gestures, strange food, difficult language barriers, getting lost in a new city or making a cultural faux pas because you didn’t know the local custom

2.2 Culture Shock Stages

2.2.1 The honeymoon stage

The first stage is the honeymoon phase, which typically lasts anywhere from two days to a week This is when you're just so excited about discovering new things and seeing all of these different cultures that you feel like everything around you is a masterpiece.

During this phase, you’re quick to identify similarities between the new culture and your own From the place you live to the people you meet and the food you eat, everything about the place may feel good You might even be fine with traffic jams and noisy neighbors You feel comfortable in your own skin and are not intimidated by anything that anyone says In this phase, you might avoid negatives and see only positive things about the place.

2.2.2 The frustration stage

This usually hits around the three-month mark, although it can be earlier for some individuals As the excitement gradually disappears you are continually faced with difficulties or uncomfortable situations that may offend or make you feel disconnected You might feel scared about the unknown and how you will adapt You may be anxious to explore the new place Apart from that, you may feel lonely and

homesick during this period You will miss the feeling of being with your family and friends in your native place.

You may start noticing the little things that you didn't mind at the beginning of your adventure, such as poor public toilets, bad food, and high prices By this point in time, you may feel that the place is not for you because everything seems so different and strange For example, international students adjusting to life in the United States during study abroad programs can feel angry and anxious, leading to withdrawal from new friends Some experience eating and sleeping disorders during this stage and may contemplate going home early.

2.2.3 The adjustment stage

The third stage is the period of acceptance This is the stage where life gradually starts to get better and routine sets in You will feel more at ease and in control of your new surroundings You will start to acknowledge that this is your new home and develop a sense of belongingness Although you may still not like certain aspects, you won't let them bother you as much as they used to earlier You may still experience some difficulties at this stage, but you’re now able to handle them in a more rational and measured way.

You will understand that settling in a foreign would take some time and effort You will start adjusting to the cultural norms and mannerisms of that place You would start accepting unfamiliar faces and you will try to establish yourself in the new environment.

2.2.4 The adaptation stage

The fourth stage is the adaptation or adjustment stage Finally, you reach the adaptation stage, sometimes know as the bicultural stage You now feel comfortable in your new country and better integrated – you have successfully adapted to your new way of life The place is not unfamiliar anymore, at this point you might have learned so much about the place that you can be a local guide Now you have gotten used to the new environment and you will begin to like it more.

During this stage, the new culture, beliefs, and attitudes may not be completely understood Still, the realization may set in that complete understanding isn’t necessary to function and thrive in the new surroundings This has developed a positive feeling towards the new place and started appreciating the culture, people, and things that make your new home so special You are now ready to embrace this new culture and enjoy what it has to offer.

2.3 Culture shock symptoms

Culture shock is a common experience for people who are living or travelling in a foreign country It is a natural response to the stress of adapting to a new culture and