What are some deeply embedded beliefs in your culture? such as: 1. How important

Question

What are some deeply embedded beliefs in your culture?

such as:

1. How important is the individual in the culture? How important is the group?

2. How is space used (e.g., how close should two people who are social acquaintances stand next to one another when they are having a conversation?)

3. How is time understood and measured? (e.g., how late can you be to a business appointment before you are considered rude?)

4. Is change considered positive or negative?

5. What are the criteria for individual success?

6. What is the relationship between humans and nature? (e.g., do humans dominate nature? does nature dominate humans? do the two live in harmony?)

7. How is divine power viewed in relation to human effort?

8. Is the culture a high-context or low-context one?

9. What is humorous?

10. How do individuals “know” things? (e.g., are people encouraged to question things? are they encouraged to master accepted wisdom?)

11. Are people encouraged to be more action-oriented or to be more contemplative?

12. What is the role of luck in people’s lives?

If you could take some time to tell me about your country’s culture (other than America) that would be great.

Explanation / Answer

(1)

As per managerial terms and as per definition of E. B. Taylor who has defined culture as "that complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, art, morale, laws, customs and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society."

Example: Indian culture which is varied and combinations of various major religion like Hinduism, Muslims, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. And also has various geographical features and atmospheric conditions

Category of Culture:

Culture has been divided into two –

(1) Individual

(2) Group.

a. Attributes and importance of individual:

Culture identify man and society from animal. Man can be considered as social animal. Culture regulate man and prepare him to live life within set rules. Individual has been trained with set of cultural behaviour for certain situation. It also defines what man eat, drink, think, sleep, dance, cloths, certain activities, festivals, joy etc. Culture gives personality to individual by providing traits of personality, growth, qualities, opportunity to groom in certain environment. Certain rational interpretations are inherited to believe for individual

For example:

One should avoid going out during an eclipse (solar eclipse and lunar eclipse)

b. Attributes and importance of group:

Culture is equally important for groups. Culture develops group’s lives from individual. Groups have certain cultural regulations those have been obliged by group’s life which are foundation of society. Culture has provided way of thinking to the individual as well as groups. Culture forms concepts of groups, family, city, state, nation etc. and it sets drive for mankind to fulfil his morale and interest of groups and structure society

(2)

Culture thinks different about space is used while conversation among the people .It varies substantially in terms of greet or talk. There is no universal standard communication or spatial language for all culture . Personal space is distance that one may keep between him or her and another person. It varies highly and depends on culture of that particular person or groups.

For example :

In India , people like to fold hands when they meet and greet to another person or group . They prefer to keep space while talking with stranger or known person.

It is important to have knowledge about space requirement in different culture so you are not perceived as misbehaved in cultural terms.

(3)

Time is considered in business appointment varies Eastern and Western countries.

Multi-Active Time

In European countries people are multi-active . They plan and organized their task differently. These kind of peoples are not very actively involved in determined schedules or punctuality. They prefer to give priority relative to significant tasks.

Time consumptions will be subjected to human feelings for an Italian people. When business meetings are concerned, it is habit to not to stay strictly on time for Spanish peoples’ business appointments. In Spain, punctuality doesn’t not matter. Dates can be flexible because of relationship with business partners.

Linear Time

American believes in concept of time as time is important or time is money. In business terms. time is precious or commodity. They work accordingly planned or scheduled.

Chinese

In Chinese countries, when meetings are scheduled , they prefer arrive 10to 15 minutes early to finish the business talks on or before the time allocated for its discussion, it is believes that not stealing any of the other person’s personal time.

Japanese

In Japan, people are more e generous in scheduling of time with you for particular transaction. They formally believe in doing “right thing at the right time.” Form, symbols or guideline, quality are more important than subject for them.

In concept of time in business transactions, Thais, Japanese, Spanish people and many others people from other countries may have conflict with linear-oriented cultures in social and business spectrum.

(4)

It is difficult to say whether changes are positive or negative in terms of whether financially, emotionally or physically. It varies and depends on perception of individual or situations. It means what person interpreting situation that matters in daily lives regarding various issues, subjects of things by nature or by culture. Our positive and negative thinking are based on our perceptions and attitudes. It is to realize that how your interpretation means looking at situations of your personal problems is the key in solving your problems and if it is acceptable than it is considered as positive change in lives. It may be something that do not think as possibility of change. Thinking with negativity may rise chance of failure and lack of willingness to adopt change

For Example: In Indian Culture: Following are perceived as positive change in cultural terms

Family values

Religion

Diversity

Collectivism

Following are perceived as negative change in cultural terms for Indian culture.

Perceived as pessimistic when compared to American culture.
Indian weather is too hot.
People are somewhat cunning and manipulative when commercial or financially-oriented talks.
People are sticky and divisive based on religion, rules, norms language, and caste

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