Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Cultural Differences: Final Copy

Post here by 6:00 on Tuesday, April 29.

Writing 12 Students: Top Ten Tips

Posted by Brad at 4/23/2008 03:46:00 PM

7 comments:

andrew said...

The Dress Code

Moderate make-up with thunder-and-lightning phoenix tattoos on the neck and a short T-shirt just revealing her bellybutton ring; Mohican hairstyle dyed in green with cut-in-knee sportswear and about to walk in the physical lab---Every time I see these passing-by teenagers in the campus, the way they dress themselves always astonishes me. Everyone seems very nature and enjoyable, but one thing I am pretty sure about them is that they would be definitely kicked out of school immediately, if in China.

There is a famous Chinese saying:” You students come to school only for knowledge accomplishment”. That means, if one day you beautify yourself maybe just a tiny lipstick, the teacher will have a serious conversation with you and probably give a call to your parents to discuss your learning attitude. Therefore, keeping your clothes tidy and clean becomes unwritten standard of beauty as a student.

Strangely, this code applies in adult inversely. In China, one of the symbols of success is wearing Armani almost on all occasions; however, most Vancouverites prefer casual outfit to business suite unless necessary.

So, don’t freak out when you find out the guy wearing a ragged sweater owns half commercial of Vancouver; and don’t drop your glasses after you open the door and comes a well-dressed, shiny hair delivery guy, who warmly guides you to the nearest Beijing Opera theatre.

In fact, the dress code between west and east is obvious and cultural-oriented. One of my Caucasian friends says to me: “Whenever you are ready to the naked beach, you will be a real Canadian.” I know he is teasing me, but actually this dress code doesn’t matter me, since jeans and jackets are my long-term partner! (283words)

April 27, 2008 at 8:20 PM
Lola said...

Who Pays the Bill?

“Give me a chance to pay the bill this time.”
“Are you kidding? It must be paid by me!”

Don’t think the two are quarreling if they are met at the restaurant in China; they just arguing about in who pays—to pay is an honor.


In China, we often fight over who pays, and this honor is not easily given out, others put up a good fight, usually belonging to the one who invited everyone out.


Differently, other various paying methods are used and accepted by the equal-right spirit Canadians.


One time, I introduced my friend’s daughter to a Canadian tutor.
“Thank you very much, Lola.” he invited me, “Could we have a cup of coffee to talk about my training plan?”
I gladly accepted.

When we were done, the tutor made no sign whatever of wanting to pay for us. He didn’t get out his wallet, nor did he even ask the waitress over first. When I wanted to end up paying, he suggested we shared it. At that moment, I felt a little bit shame for my naively thought—whoever invited is going to pay it.


After several moments of awkwardness, I adjust to share paying with my western friends. We simply pay half of the gas money after a road trip to US and the fee from camping. Shares bring relaxed friendship to us.

I still grab off the bill with my Chinese friends. We love to keep that going and enjoy this traditional reaction from friends which makes us like a family.

Learning cultural differences through a comprehensive studying opens a harmonious society to me. (297 words)

April 29, 2008 at 5:03 PM
Claudia said...

Eh! Or Yeah!

“Excuse me! “

I told my English teacher at the end of my English class.

“Why did you mark me wrong the word color?” I asked

“Because it is the way Canadians spell (colour)” she explained.

It was the first time,I realized how Canadians were different from Americans even though they supposed to speak the same language.

Both countries have different spelling rules, like “color” or “colour”, “check” or “cheque”. It is an endless list that I will not bother to look for.

All what I know is when I moved to Canada I have to learn new English spelling rules –Canadian way-.I used to be so confused especially because writing is not my strength.
However, I succeeded with a long strive.

But wait! That was not the end, Canadians and Americans have their unique accent too. Next time please pay close attention to an inhabitant from New York, compared to a resident from Alberta it is hilarious to hear both of them.

New Yorkers talk to fast like someone is chasing them, and Albertans talk like they are riding a bull or a horse like they want to yell.

So, remember if you are learning English I will recommend following what you feel most comfortable.

Having the opportunity to live in both countries has taught me a vast variety about spelling and accents.

Both countries are not perfect, yet they have their own distinctive presentation to the world.

Canadians fond their poutine and love to say eh! Indeed, Americans adore their Starbucks and care to say yeah!

261 words

April 29, 2008 at 10:32 PM
CATALINA19 said...

HALLOWEEN EVERYDAY


When I moved here, everything was so different but interesting. I used to go out all the time because I was amazed with all these new experiences. Something that called my attention was the way of dressing. I was shocked.Is this a Halloween party?


In Colombia, most of the people wear the same. We follow what is up to day and almost every one wears what fashion offers. Therefore; everyone is similar and if someone wears something different is rejected right away.


One of my first rides in the sky train was funny. I was with my sister and we were laughing because we were not use to see many people wearing all kinds of different clothes from different times, countries and cultures.

Some of them were dressing as we did-jeans, and running shoes, very simple- but some others wore clothing of loud colors and funny designs, others had turbans and long pink, red or orange dresses. Some guys had purses - we never see this in Colombia -. Most of the teenagers were up to date, but others wore the “hip – hop” clothing with all these big, shinny accessories, like rings or necklaces with huge crosses and crowns. I was impressed because I only saw that on TV. We never though that real people wear all those outfits.

I felt in a Halloween party, but I got use to it very fast because I liked it. I think is good that people develop their personalities in their way by wearing clothing of their preference. I don’t think that rejecting people just because they don’t want to wear what everyone uses, will let them develop their own personality. Now, I wear what I want, and I feel happy for it.


292 words

April 29, 2008 at 11:33 PM
Sunny said...

Enjoy the School Life

“I like to stay in Canada. I don't want to return to China.” My son always answers this way when my relatives and friends ask him if he wants to go back to China or not.

Why he insists on staying in Canada? I think it because the education is quite different between China and Canada.

In China, every child is told that only the people who enter the university can get the high life standard. Compared to the large population, China is lack of the universities. Furthermore, only the students who graduated from the high school, and get the high marks from the annual national exam can apply for the universities. They have to work hard.

My son got up at 6:00 am before he came to Canada because he had to go to school at 7:00. He finished the classes at 5:00 pm. As soon as he went back to home, he started to work on a lot of homework. Sometimes he would finish at 10:00 at night; even he was only at grade three.

Now, my son can arrive at school at 8:50, and the classes are finished at 2:45. He is released from the chunk of homework. There are many different ways to enter the universities in Canada.

Otherwise, in China, the education emphasizes morality rather than independent thinking. The children absorb the knowledge according to what the teachers say. In Canada, the children have many chances to ask the teachers different questions. They can think widely.

Therefore, in China, the children have little time to do physical activities. More than 70 percent high school students wear glasses. In Canada, they can freely select the activities what they like.

The different culture causes the varied attitude and response. I prefer to accept the Canadian education. My son is lucky to enjoy his school time.

(312 words)

April 30, 2008 at 7:48 AM
Victoria said...

Friendly Canada

“Oh my God! Such lovely earrings you have there. Where did you get those?” the cashier of Save-on-Foods store smiled showing all of her “thirty six” teeth.
I was quite in shock. I didn’t expect her saying that Moreover, I didn’t speak much English and my prepared speech contained “hi, how are you?”, “thank you”, and “have a good day.” I had nothing in my vocabulary about earrings. So, I smiled.
I was warned that Canadian people are very talkative and friendly when I moved to Vancouver. But I had no idea how much friendlier they can get.
After I gain a bit of confidence in speaking English, I found a job at the Liquor store. I was amazed by how much information people dump at you while they shop.
The matter is that back home we usually don’t start conversation about personal matter with a cashier while buying goods.
We keep the conversation very simple unless we know a person well.
“The weather is very nice today, isn’t it?” And then, after a positive or negative feed back we continue with our business. .
Canada is different.
I hear thousands of very personal stories every time on my shift. I feel like I am a psychologist (a cheaper version of it). Stories about ex-wives, ex-boyfriends, ex-bosses and also the whole medical history of many of my customers became an essential part of my shifts. I try to keep track of who cheated on whom, who had psoriasis and whose dog ate a bone bigger than itself. But I am failing for number of those who wishes to confess becomes bigger every day.
I like people. I like to converse. However, I was taught that there are boundaries between topics that you can discuss with a friend and topics for random people like clerks and cashiers.
Being as open and as friendly as Canadians is the hardest adjustment in assimilating in this country. Nevertheless, I am getting there.

April 30, 2008 at 7:04 PM
Gwyneth said...

“Ask the White Girl”

Canada may be a great place to live to avoid, for the most part, cultural persecution. However now you are exposed to cultural stereotypes in extreme. I acknowledge that I am visually white. If I had a penny for every occasion I was referenced to as “the white girl” I would be a very wealthy woman. However in my family I am considered just the opposite. I am visually coloured. My cultural heritage consists of five different backgrounds. To the general public none of these backgrounds are acknowledged. I am simply “Canadian” and live accordingly to western society however in work and in personal life each of these backgrounds play an integral role.

When I am at one job I am Slavic for the day. I relate and converse with my employers and coworkers as well as the clients in this manner. Sometimes my accent may change and hand gestures differentiate in accordance to who I am with. At another job I am British for the day, with changes in speech patterns and verbal references. For my other job my cultural backgrounds play out together so I may connect with the diverse crowd I associate with, sometimes modifying my actions to match specific customs. At home I primarily identify with my Slavic and Eastern roots through natural rhythms and patterns.

When having five different cultures in one family you’re guaranteed some interesting family reunions. Cynicism and a laid back nature are not character traits when you’re at the dinner table, they’re cultural traits. Each family member debates what side of the family you received the trait from in their thick barely distinguishable accents and which culture it originated from. Then you explain that despite how saddened you’ll be by leaving the interesting cross-cultural debate you must meet you’re Indo-Canadian friend who with pride identifies herself as “brown” but who’s family calls her “white” because of assimilation, for coffee at the Shandar Hut for a Matcha Chillo. Who’s cultured now?- you or society? But that really doesn’t seem to matter because once you put on your Vintage earrings, tragus ring, blue jeans, RW&Co shirt and Banana jacket you’re just some white girl meeting a friend for drinks at the local restaurant.

June 10, 2008 at 1:57 AM

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