Tiếng anh chuyên ngành 2 topic cultural differences, cultural awareness, how to avoid culture sock

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Tiếng Anh Chuyên ngành 2

Cultural differences, cultural awareness, how to avoid culture sock.

Table of Contents

I.Cultural differences 2

1.1 Definition of culture and cultural differences 2

1.2 A comparison between Western and Eastern cultures 3

II.Reasons for culture shocks 4

2.1. Communication language: 4

2.2 Market price: 4

2.3 Food and Eating Habits : 4

2.4 People : 4

2.5 Change in living environment: 4

III Consequences of culture shocks 5

3.2 For Worker 6

IV How to deal with cultural differences 6

4.1 For workers or students 7

4.2 For travelers 8

V How to raise cultural awareness/ avoid culture shocks 9

5.1 Prepare your mindset: 9

5.2 Research: 9

5.3 Be open-minded: 10

5.4 Actively practice the language: 10

5.5 Make local friends: 10

5.6 Be open to all senses of humor: 10

Culture is a multifaceted concept that shapes the way we perceive the world, interact with others, and interpret various aspects of life As individuals traverse across geographical boundaries for travel, work, or even relocation, they inevitably encounter cultural differences that can sometimes lead to a phenomenon known as culture shock This phenomenon can manifest in various ways, impacting travelers and workers alike Therefore, it becomes imperative to not only understand the concept of cultural differences but also to develop strategies to navigate through them effectively

In this discussion, we will delve into the intricacies of cultural differences, explore the reasons behind culture shock, examine its consequences, and propose methods to

mitigate its effects, ultimately aiming to enhance cultural awareness and facilitate smoother intercultural interactions.

I.Cultural differences

I.1 Definition of culture and cultural differences

Culture encompasses the shared attributes, beliefs, practices, and values of a group

of people It shapes our identities, influences our interactions, and adds vibrancy to our world Some key points about culture:

Culture is not innate; it is learned As individuals, we acquire cultural knowledge through socialization, education, and exposure to our surroundings.

Each culture has its unique set of traits These can include language, clothing styles, rituals, music, art, and more For instance: Language (the words we speak and the way we communicate shape our cultural identity), Dress (clothing choices reflect cultural

norms and aesthetics), and Religion (beliefs and practices vary across cultures For example, dietary restrictions differ between Christians and Muslims), Social Mores (cultural norms guide behavior, etiquette, and social interactions).

Cultural differences refer to the distinctive characteristics that differentiate one

group of people from another regarding their behaviors, beliefs, customs, traditions, languages, and expressions Some key points about cultural differences:

Integrated System of Values and Conduct Cultural differences involve an integrated and maintained system of socially acquired values, beliefs, and rules of conduct These differences impact the range of accepted behaviors and are distinguishable across societal groups.

Behavioral and Personality Variations Cultural differences contribute to how individuals relate to their external environment These groupings result in identifiable behavioral and personality differences Social competencies may include variations in self-disclosure, assertiveness, cooperation, and interpersonal style For instance, cultures that emphasize individual dominance versus those promoting harmony exhibit contrasting worldviews.

Childhood Development and Cultural Competence By age 5, children become aware of their cultural and ethnic backgrounds They demonstrate cultural competence through appropriate social relationships, language use, and behavior Valuing cultural differences can be fostered in classrooms by encouraging children to share their own cultural heritage, promoting pride and self-understanding.

Parent–Teacher Relationships Inviting teachers and parents from diverse cultural groups into the home helps children become comfortable with differences Effective communication between parents and teachers enhances understanding of cultural perceptions and expectations Awareness of stereotypes and social injustices associated with cultural differences is crucial

I.2 A comparison between Western and Eastern culture

Western and Eastern culture have a lot of differences Recently, because of globalization, some of the differences have disappeared But some of those still remain until now The differences between these two cultures are evident in various aspects, including social behavior, lifestyle, beliefs, and values In this paragraph, we will explore the Eastern vs Western cultures.

First of all, I will show the difference in Social Behaviour Social behavior is one of the most significant differences between Western countries and Eastern cultures In Western countries, individualism is highly valued, and people tend to be more direct and assertive In contrast, Eastern cultures place greater emphasis on collective harmony, and people tend to be more indirect and avoid conflict.

Second, in their lifestyle, Western culture places a greater emphasis on personal achievement, independence, and self-expression In contrast, Eastern culture places more emphasis on family, community, and communal harmony As a result, Western societies tend to be more fast-paced and individualistic, while Eastern societies are more relaxed and family-oriented

The last one is Communication style Communication style is another area where Western and Eastern cultures differ significantly In Western cultures, people tend to be more direct in their communication style, while in Eastern cultures, people tend to be more indirect and use nonverbal cues to convey their message.

When you first arrive in a foreign country, you may be exhausted and tired from the journey, which can add to the feeling of culture shock as you try to get to know your new surroundings People may not speak a language you know, or even though you have learned it, you still have difficulty communicating, and as a result you may feel anxious.

2. Market price

With exchange rate differences and economic development, you will be overwhelmed by the price of goods when you convert to Vietnamese currency This is also a problem that most international students and traveler feel

3. Food and Eating Habits

Foods and dishes can be completely different between cultures People from one country may have difficulty eating foods that are new, unfamiliar, and even have different flavors or preparations Differences in lifestyle nutrition and eating habits can cause stress and imbalance It can be difficult for newcomers to try to learn and learn the ropes of new eating rules and habits.

Another case of culture shock that must be mentioned is the case related to people Respecting differences, respecting personal freedom, open thinking or polite communication are things you will feel new in the country, however, these differences create culture shock

Living environment includes factors such as a person's place of residence, work, study, relationships, and daily lifestyle When there is a sudden change in any of these elements of the living environment, it can create instability and stress, causing culture shock

III Consequences of culture shocks

3.1 For Traveler

When traveling to a country with a different culture, tourists often encounter experiences known as 'culture shock.' These experiences can have significant effects on their mood, spirit, and emotions Here are the main consequences of experiencing culture shock:

Firstly, feeling discomfort and confusion: In a new environment, cultural

differences such as traffic rules, communication habits, and social values can make tourists feel uncomfortable and confused For example, Mr Daniel Ndukwu from the United States felt surprised and uncomfortable when faced with the habit of pushing while crossing the street in Nigeria.

Secondly, anxiety and stress: Differences in daily rules and behaviors can cause

anxiety and stress for tourists when they feel unsure how to adapt or interact with the new environment Mr Oman Hedvat experienced embarrassment in Japan due to not understanding the local traffic rules and customs.

In addition, surprise and bewilderment: Unfamiliar cultural expressions can

leave tourists feeling surprised when they encounter situations or actions that they cannot interpret For instance, Ms Swister Yong was surprised when she saw large phallic symbols on house walls in Bhutan and couldn't grasp their cultural significance.

Moreover, difficulty in facing cultural differences and accepting them:

Accepting and understanding cultural differences can be challenging when values and customs are contradictory Ms Lila Adamson was surprised and somewhat bewildered by the deep apologies and expressions of respect in the Dogeza culture when she visited Japan.

3.2 For Worker

Starting a job at a multinational company brings significant opportunities for personal and career development However, it also comes with a range of challenges, especially when the work environment requires adapting to different cultures The consequences of culture shock can be clearly reflected through feelings of stress, work pressure, and even loneliness.

Firstly, work pressure: Changes in the work environment and various cultural

factors can create significant pressure for new employees They may face new job demands, unfamiliar work methods, and expectations from colleagues and superiors Increased work pressure can lead to stress and affect mental well-being.

Furthermore, discrimination: In a multicultural environment, discrimination

based on origin, culture, or language can occur These instances can increase feelings of isolation and lack of confidence in new employees, causing stress and anxiety, impacting mental health.

Moreover, impact on mental and physical health: Feelings of stress and anxiety

from work pressure and discrimination can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress Additionally, stress and pressure can also affect physical health, leading to problems such as weight loss, uncontrollable weight gain, digestive issues, and high blood pressure.

Whether in the role of a tourist or a new employee in a multinational company, it can have significant consequences for individuals The important thing is to recognize and understand these consequences, in order to provide appropriate support measures and solutions to help individuals adapt and overcome culture shock effectively, while creating a positive work environment or travel experience and supporting personal development

IV How to deal with cultural differences

When working, studying or traveling in a completely new culture, people may not be able to avoid culture shock right away, especially when these occasions will sometimes happen suddenly with little time to prepare in advance If that “new culture” is still located in the same city or nation, it will be a bit easier in this matter, but if they live somewhere other than their native country, the situation will be different The passages below will describe in detail some unusual suggestions that many people overlook when

faced with this kind of issue 4.1 For workers or students

Workers and students who travel to new cultural environments, particularly those who must stay for an extended amount of time, often encounter culture shock resulting from unexplored cultural norms and practices

Unlike some notes that everybody often mentions when talking about important things that this group of people need to prepare to prevent anxiety when working or studying in a new environment, such as searching for information about that culture, learning new skills, basic language and some culture benchmarks…there is a seemingly innocuous note that is a great premise for all their activities in that new culture to make

their daily life in that culture smoother That suggestion is about managing expectations

before leaving the continent It is essential to understand that cultural adaptation is a gradual journey that requires time and patience, so when starting to embrace the process of stepping out of their comfort zone, they will have to keep in mind that too much confidence in their adaptability is also an obvious risk, which can lead to disappointment or even collapse from direct exposure to that culture The best solution is that they should

learn to manage expectations effectively so that they can deal with every problem that happens in the simplest and easiest way possible.

It could be quite hard for a person to fully get involved with the local community in the first place through local activities, so here are some tips for these newcomers on how to behave in daily life when suddenly exposed to other cultures For example, they will have to start practicing self-care as well as coping with challenges while still staying connected with some valuable relationships Firstly, prioritize self-care so that each individual can cultivate resilience, adapt more effectively to their new surroundings, and thrive in the face of cultural challenges To establish this lifestyle, they must first be disciplined, from the simplest hobbies to long-term habits such as regular exercise, getting enough sleep and always setting aside a fixed amount of time to regenerate their own energy source Secondly, when confronted with cultural differences, workers and

students must simultaneously cope with challenges and stay in touch with valuablerelationships such as family, close friends or even their lovers for various reasons The

most important reason is that it not only lessens feelings of isolation but also provides a sense of familiarity and emotional support during periods of adjustment Especially for sensitive people, adapting to big changes like this always takes more time than others because of their sense of insecurity and relatively low level of initiative in life Therefore, through the most common ways, such as video calls or messaging apps, those can provide comfort and a sense of connectedness for them so that they will have more motivation in this matter of adaptation If there is not enough time for those personal activities, they can try to find things that help them reconnect with their home during their time at the workplace, school, or through every movement in their daily lives

4.2 For travelers

Different from the two types of individuals mentioned above, tourists will have simpler ways to avoid some disadvantages, such as hiring a tour guide to avoid language and cultural barrier problems Although tourism activities usually only occur for a short period of time, making it difficult for cultural conflicts to occur in a serious way, it does