Southeastern Georgia Caucasian and Chinese Cultures - Term Paper Example

Cultural Exploration: Southeastern Georgia Caucasian and Chinese Cultures Semester, Name of Institution Dated Introduction Culture is not frozen or fixated in time or space. Rather, it is a very dynamic phenomenon. It does vary from one society to the other and from one period to the other. Given the fact that human beings are social, the aspect of the varying aspects of culture from time to time and from place to place plays a very significant role. This is because there is need for human beings to interact from time to time due to their social nature. As they interact, there comes a time when it becomes necessary for one culture to interact with the other. As this interaction takes place, there are potential effects that are brought about by the cultural patterns of the two cultures as they interact. These cultural patterns, which include beliefs, values, norms and social practices, do affect the quality of communication that takes place as the people from these different cultures interact. The result is either an enhanced quality of communication or a total breakdown in communication. To avoid this breakdown in communication, and to enhance the quality of communication between the different parties, it is very important for the two people who are communicating to be aware of the various attributes of the other culture. This way, mistakes that can be avoided and that can cause a breakdown in communication are identified. The cultural patterns of the two cultures might either lead to a competent intercultural communication or problems as far as the communication is concerned. This paper is going to examine the cultural patterns of two cultures and how the interplay between these patterns affects the intercultural communication of people from these cultures. The first culture is that of the writer, Southeastern Georgia Caucasian, and that of Chinese. Objectives of the Study Throughout this paper, the writer will be guided by one major objective. This will be the exploration of the various potential effects of the cultural patterns of Southeastern Georgia Caucasian and Chinese on intercultural communication between the two. To achieve the major objective, the writer will be guided by several specific objectives. It is through the address of these specific objectives that the writer will have effectively dealt with the major one. These specific ones are as follows: 1. An analysis of cultural value orientations of southeastern Georgia Caucasian and Chinese using the globe taxonomy approach 2. An analysis of verbal communication norms of the two cultures 3. An analysis of non-verbal communication norms of the two cultures 4. An analysis of relational communication norms of the two cultures The writer will not merely describe the cultural patterns of the two cultures picked. Rather, this will be a comprehensive analysis of the effects that the interplay between this set of pattern has on intercultural communication. Does it make it more productive or does it make it less productive and problematic 1: Cultural Value Orientations of Georgian and Chinese Cultures This analysis will be conducted using the GLOBE cultural taxonomy approach. This approach identifies nine dimensions of culture that are regarded important or ideal in a particular culture. These nine dimensions are a description of what people actually do, or what Millet (1) refers to as cultural practices. They also identify cultural values or what is regarded as ideal practice or conduct in the society under examination (Millet: 1). Power Distance Dimension Power distance dimension describes the degrees to which members of the society that are less powerful both "expect and accept that power is distributed unequally" (Leadlay & Jomy: 38). It is a fact that in any one society, there are differences in the distribution of power, resulting in powerful individuals and less powerful ones. But the differences between the societies occur because, to some, as much as the power differential is unavoidable, it is sometimes ignored or opposed by the less powerful. In other societies, the less powerful have been brought up to believe that these power differentials are legitimate and as such, unquestionable. China is a high power distance society. What this means is that people in this society accept and in fact expect power to be distributed unequally within the society (Leadlay& Jomy: 47). That is the reason why one is likely to find women who are insubordinates to men but they do not question, or a populace that is subordinated to the ruling elite. On the other hand, Georgia is a low power distance society. People in this society expect people to interact more democratically and on a relatively equal basis regardless of their power or lack of it thereof. When it comes to intercultural communication, this aspect poses a problem to the two people from these varying cultures. The Georgian finds it hard to believe that the Chinese woman can accept to be an insubordinate to her man. A woman from the Georgian culture, for example, will not let a Chinese man insubordinate her, and as such, the two cannot communicate effectively. The Chinese man will read hard headedness in the Georgian woman while the Georgian woman will read male chauvinism on the Chinese man. Both are unacceptable to the other and the two will end up failing to communicate. Uncertainty Avoidance This is a measure of how the members of the two cultures try to mitigate anxiety by minimizing cases of uncertainty (Millet: 1). Chinese is a high uncertainty avoidance culture. This is marked by the explicit rules that are present in the society which govern the conduct of the various members. For example, there are explicit rules that govern how women should conduct themselves in front of men. There are explicit rules, like Guanxi, that govern the relationship between the different people in the society. Many Chinese hate spending and would rather save. This is conservativeness, a hallmark of a high uncertainty avoidance society. On the other hand, Georgia is a low uncertainty avoidance society. People are risk takers, and they derive pleasure by taking huge risks and then overcoming them. When a Georgian and a Chinese are interacting, the former will tend to be more daring. For example, a Georgian man will tend to hug and embrace the Chinese, while the Chinese tries to avoid intimacy with strangers. This will make the interaction between the two awkward, especially the few minutes after they meet. Gender Egalitarianism This aspect measures the value placed on roles that have been traditionally regarded as masculine or feminine (Adeloitte: 580). China is a traditional society, despite the fact that it is a highly industrialized country. The traditional values that set apart the roles that are played by men and women are still adhered to. Women have their role to play, while men have theirs. On the other hand, Georgian is a modern or western society, where the distinction between gender roles is thin, if not completely obliterated. The women are daring, not as conservative as those in Chinese society. This becomes problematic when a man and a woman from either culture are communicating. A Chinese man, when challenged by the Georgian woman as far as his decisions are concerned, will lose Mianxi, or face (Adeloitte: 581). In-group Collectivism This is a measure of how loyal individuals are to the group within which they belong and also, how high they place the group above themselves and their personal goals (Leadlay & Jomy: 47). A Chinese is very loyal to his/her group, may it be their family, their society or their work group. That is the reason why a Chinese will make sacrifices to save the honor of his society or his family. They are also loyal to their employers and spend a long time in their working place. On the other hand, Georgian and in-group loyalties are two disparate items. The Georgian, like all westerners, is a very individualistic fellow. His personal goals and ambitions come before those of his group. When a Chinese and a Georgian are communicating, the former will be surprised, if not appalled, by the latter's lack of loyalty. A Georgian employed by a Chinese will leave the employment as soon as a better chance avails itself. Institutional Collectivism This is the extent to which societal culture support, value and opts to distribute rewards in the society on the basis of what is good for the group, as opposed to that which is good for the individual. In other words, the society puts the group above the individual. Chinese is a high institutional collectivism society while Georgia is a low one. A Georgian will be appalled by how the Chinese will disregard him as he tries to go over him to the group. Assertiveness This is the degree to which people demand what they want, and let it be known by the others. A Chinese is a less assertive individual, and will find it hard to demand from their society. A Georgian is very assertive and will make the Chinese uncomfortable by the vigor with which he demands for what he wants. Others As far as performance orientation is concerned, a Georgian values personal success and achievement more than the Chinese. This will make the Chinese regard the former as a greedy individual. The Chinese is more future-oriented than the Georgian. He will save diligently for the future while the Georgian lives for the moment. The Chinese are also humane oriented as they reward members for being kind to the human race, unlike the Georgian. 2: Verbal Communication Norms When introduced to a Chinese, the Georgian might be taken aback by the seemingly cold reception that the Chinese offers. This is because the Chinese is not comfortable with the familiarity of the Georgian, that of for example addressing a person that they have just met by their first name (Przeworski: 80). For example, the term "comrade" will be considered as rudeness by the Chinese. After meeting a stranger, especially in their home ground, the Chinese are the ones who will take the initiative to start a conversation. It is rude for a waiguoren (westerner) to start chirping soon after the introductions are over (Przeworski: 89). The Chinese will also ask questions that the Georgian will regard as been very personal, for example age, marital status and such. These verbal communications put both parties at awkward positions. The Georgian will find the questions of the Chinese intruding on their privacy, while the Chinese will find the familiarity of the Georgian as a breach of their personal space. 3: Non-Verbal Communication Norms Chinese communication is laced with a lot of non-verbal cues (Adeloitte: 609). For example, the Chinese is taught from a very young age to avoid showing facial expressions like smiling and such. This is replaced by body language, where use of words is limited to the barest minimum. When meeting a stranger, Chinese will prefer a simple and firm handshake, unlike the Georgian who will want to put some hugs and kisses into it. The Chinese really hate to be touched, and this will make them uneasy. A nod or a slight bow on the part of the Chinese after introductions is an indication of the fact that they appreciate the person that they meet. This is not the case for the Georgian. Also, there are some gestures that are part of the Georgian's life but considered a taboo in the Chinese society. This is for example finger snapping and whistling (Millet: 1). This aspect also hinders intercultural communication between the two cultures. The Georgian will find it hard to adhere to the strict code of conduct of the Chinese while the Chinese will regard most of the non-verbal cues by the Georgian to be rude. 4: Relational Communication Norms When greeting a stranger, a formal handshake is enough for the Chinese but this will be found to be insufficient by the Georgian, who will prefer hugs and kisses. The Chinese also do not like dealing with strangers, and as such, they do value introductions very much (Leadlay & Jomy: 40). They like to introduce themselves by their last name first. It is considered rude by the Chinese to refer to someone by their last name. This again makes the communication between the Georgian and the Chinese a bit awkward. There are very many things that the Georgian has to avoid in order not to make the Chinese uncomfortable. This makes intercultural communication a bit hard especially in the first few minutes after two strangers-a Chinese and a Georgian-meet. Conclusion As earlier stated, cultural patterns are neither fixated in time nor space. Culture is a dynamic phenomenon. It varies from one society to the other and from one time to another. These are some of the facts that have to be put into consideration when individuals from varying cultural backgrounds are communicating. This paper analyzed the differences that occur between the expectations of a Chinese culture and that of a Georgian as far as communication is concerned. The writer explicitly put forth the hindrances that can be wrought as far as communication is concerned when people from varying cultures are communicating. References Adeloitte, Charles W. Asian Cultural Practices: A Case Study of Chinese Etiquette. London: London University Press, 2007. 580-610. Leadlay, Brwonski S. & Jomy, Tito A. Understanding American Cultural Practices. 3rd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2006. 37-48. Millet, Joyce. "Chinese Etiquette and Protocol." Retrieved from http://www.protocolprofessionals.com/articles_china_print.htm; on 3rd October, 2009. Przeworski, Susan C. Intercultural Communication: Challenges and Opportunities. Vermont: Free Press, 2009. 79-89. Read More