There are three cultural features that make America unique. These are the cultural diversity of people, the prevailing individualistic mentality, and the focus on internal matters of the country rather than global ones. First of all, America can be considered a “melting pot” as the ethnic mix of America consists of indigenous people and immigrants from all over the world. Despite these differences, people are trying to connect to form the American identity (Campbell & Kean, 2016).
This identity connects to the idea that hard work leads to success, and this success is accessible to everyone. Besides, mass media is exceptionally focused on internal issues and demonstrates a conservative approach (“American culture. Core concepts”, n.d.). Therefore, Americans are perceived as determined individuals that value freedom and diversity and do their best to ensure the prosperity of the country.
Since I come from Nepal, I have another understanding of the core values and social norms. The core value for all Nepalese is their families and family relationships. Children and younger members of the family have to pay respect to the parents and the elderly. Therefore, it is considered highly moral to support the family and be kind to relatives and friends. Youngsters are not supposed to acquire bad habits, like smoking and drinking alcohol, because it is a sign of disrespect to their parents.
Moreover, a sharp division of responsibilities between men and women is present. Man is a breadwinner while a woman takes care of the household and raises children. These family values help Nepalese realize that people are more important than material benefits, and respect for others is deeply embedded in any relationship.
Family communication in Nepali families defines and shapes cultural values. For example, very often, relatives do not call each other by their names but use their family status. Everybody accepts the use of the specific communication code, which reinforces the value of family ties. This family hierarchy influences other forms of relationship, for instance, between a teacher and a student. As a result, students sustain a very formal and respectful way of communication with a teacher because he or she has a certain degree of authority. Consequently, language serves as a tool to express respect.
One of the cultural differences is that people in Nepal express their affection via touching. It is quite common among men to hold hands as friends or close relatives to show their bond. However, it is not encouraged for unmarried couples to do the same. Keeping an eye-contact is also common; however, people avoid doing it when talking to a person of a higher status. Besides, people never touch someone on the top of the head as it is regarded as the holiest part of the body. These nonverbal elements of the culture may pose a challenge in another country. For example, Americans will feel more open to touch or hug people, and it will not be considered inappropriate. In contrast, Nepalese will find it rude and disrespectful.
Leave it to Beaver sitcom attempts to underscore traditional family values. The formal family relationship between parents and children can easily be traced. Children always try to act according to high moral standards and obey their parents. Family and home is a stronghold of love, dignity, and mutual respect. Parents guide children through life and help them distinguish evil from good (De Sapio, 2017). Gender roles are clearly defined to ensure that men and women have different duties and responsibilities. In the present day, children have more freedom and an opportunity to speak against parents’ will. Children are not afraid of being punished as long as they have the right to make mistakes.
Religious beliefs affect the way people communicate daily. Religion determines which values are instilled in a person from early childhood. In Islam, everyone is expected to execute religious duties. For example, there is a need to recite poems five times a day, and an ability to communicate is bound to these duties. Christians believe an individual can build a personal connection with God, who will protect him or her from temptations.
In communication, they tend to be more giving and eager to help those in need. Jewish people are more connected to holy places and feel necessary to bring holiness into every aspect of life. Many of the religious traditions are transmitted through the family. Communal life is another crucial aspect of Judaism. Therefore, Jewish people value personal connections and a sense of belonging in the communication process. However, all three religions reiterate that good deeds will yield a prosperous life.
Effective communication in a multi-cultural environment is crucial for businesses to succeed. One of the most common challenges is the understanding of time, especially when it comes to setting deadlines. The perception of time and punctuality varies in different countries. In addition, jokes and humor may cause misunderstanding during the negotiation process. For instance, in Asian culture, it is not acceptable to use jokes, whereas, in England, people tend to be ironic.
Moreover, gestures and nonverbal communication pose a challenge for cross-cultural communication. Certain nationalities keep distance when they meet people; others are not afraid to come closer and even touch. An ultimate solution for business leaders is to develop cultural sensitivity. Cultural sensitivity helps to build respect for the cultural values without prejudice and, therefore, interact more coherently. When people practice cultural sensitivity, they are more willing to adapt to an alien cultural environment.
I want to focus on the uncertainty avoidance dimension, which determines how society feels about the ambiguity of future events. Latin American countries, like Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Peru, score high on the Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI) (“Country comparison, Hofstede insights”, n.d.). Middle Eastern countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, follow a similar pattern (“Country comparison, Hofstede insights”, n.d.). It means that communication in these regions is based on strict rules and codes of behavior. People feel the need to adhere to rules and laws.
North American cultures and many countries in Africa, like Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and Namibia score from 45 to 65 (“Country comparison, Hofstede insights”, n.d.). People with this kind of cultural background generally accept new ideas and express tolerance for opinions of anyone. Hence, it is easier for them to communicate more openly and discretely. The situation is different in Asia and Europe because these regions are diverse.
Japan and Korea have one of the highest scores of uncertainty avoidance, whereas China and Nepal demonstrate the opposite (“Country comparison, Hofstede insights”, n.d.). Similarly, people in Belgium, Portugal, and Italy tend to rely on rules and law, but Norwegians do not have any preference at all (“Country comparison, Hofstede insights”, n.d.). It is necessary to consider an exact country rather than a region because there is an impact of historical and economic factors.
References
American culture. Core concepts. (n.d.). Web.
Campbell, N., & Kean, A. (2016). American cultural studies (4th ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.
Country comparison. Hofstede insights, (n.d.). Web.
Country comparison. Hofstede insights, (n.d.). Web.
Country comparison. Hofstede insights, (n.d.). Web.
Country comparison. Hofstede insights, (n.d.). Web.
Country comparison. Hofstede insights, (n.d.). Web.
De Sapio, M. (2017). The moral imagination of “Leave It to Beaver.” The Imaginative Conservative. Web.