Cultural Differences
Put your articles on a cultural difference here for the Writing 12 class to read (and for our class, too, of course). Have all work posted by Tuesday at 6:00.
NEW: Please pay attention to your word count! Maximum is 350 or so (but shorter is better).
Read examples from The Pearson Buzz.
11 comments:
Hi, Brad:
I just want to know how many words I should put in this article. I check the posted ones and they all seem over 300.
Hi Andrew,
Yes, some are over, it's true. Kamila's is about 300; Ruth's is about 350. You could over 300 by a bit, but try to keep short!
The Dressing Code
Every time on my way to the adult learning center I always slow down to observe those energetic teenagers passing by me, a little astonished about the way they dress themselves: moderate make-up and exaggerated gold circle ornament plus a short T-shirt just revealing her bellybutton ring; different color and style of hair with a suite of cut-in-knee sportswear and about to walk in the physical lab. All seem very nature and appropriate, whereas these boys and girls will be definitely kicked out of school at once, if they are in China.
I still remember a famous Chinese saying:” You students come to school only for knowledge accomplishment”. That means, if one day you light yourself maybe just a tiny lipstick, the teacher will probably have a serious conversation about” watch your focus as a student” and then give a call to your parents to discuss your learning attitude. Therefore, those who have nature instinct of beauty will be considered loafing time.
Strangely, in China, after you step into the society, if you don’t wear Armani on all occasions, you are not at the higher level of food chain. I could easily spot overdressed people wandering around the public facilities, showing off their success.
Since I move to Canada, I notice that the dressing code between west and east are pretty obvious and cultural-oriented. The Canadians are used to dressing in a more self-centred, comfortable and casual way; on the other hand, Chinese people favour putting more thoughts on clothes to attract more eyes and indicate social status.
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 when you open the door and comes a well-dressed, shinning hair and politely notify that your order of spring roll is ready.
Actually this dressing code doesn’t matter me. Jeans and jackets are my long-term partner. But what that represents really reminds me to be aware of and respect different background culture around the world. (336 words)
Coming for Supper?
“Will you be there in time for supper?” my aunt wants to know. Of course I will I think to myself, but stop in time to realize that what my aunt means is not the same as it is for me here on the west coast.
When I travel to Alberta, I need to know the difference between dinner and supper. In Vancouver, I’ve always used the terms interchangeably. Mostly, we say dinner, but supper is acceptable, too.
Not so in Alberta! There, you need to know that “supper” is the noon meal. Be prepared for a bigger than usual lunch, too, if you happen to be visiting a family farm.
My aunt places a beef roast into the oven before 10 in the morning; it’s nothing out of the ordinary to have beef and potatoes at noon. In summer, dinner is served after the men have returned from the fields, and the leftovers from supper make another appearance on the table.
Another difference is the number of times you’ll see beef on your plate at Alberta suppers and dinners. I can visit a relative’s house for the weekend and eat beef at three or four meals.
Canada is a multicultural country and, within each identifiable group, variations of culture occur. The differences between my Alberta relatives and myself are minor, but when it comes time to receive a supper invitation, I need to remember to show up at noon!
—240 words; first draft by Brad Hyde
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.
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, 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.
281 words
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. For first, I didn’t expect her saying that. Second, 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 felt stupid smiling to the person who is waiting for an answer, but it was less of harm for my mentality than try to come up with a sentence in foreign language I barely new.
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. And again was shocked how much information people are willing to discuss 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.
Canada is different.
I hear thousands of very personal stories every time on my shift. I still can’t come up with a respond on “I am not buying that for myself. I am an ex-alcoholic. I’ve been in rehab. So now I don’t drink.”
“Oh” plus understanding nodding is all that I can offer so far.
I like people, and I like to converse, and laugh, and tell jokes; but I was taught that there are boundaries between topics that you can discuss with a friend and topics for random people like clerks, cashiers, and other customer service staff. And this aspect doesn’t allow me to completely assimilate in Canada yet.
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 quarrel if they are met at the restaurant in China; they just compete 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.
One time, I introduced my friend’s daughter to a Canadian tutor. He asked to have a cup of coffee and discussed about his training plan and told me his appropriate, so 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 used to share paying with my western friends, and still grab off the bill with my Chinese friends. Learning cultural differences through a comprehensive studying opens a harmonious society to me. (210 words)
Expressing Love
The first thing I noticed that was very different in my culture and the western culture was the way people expressed their love for one another. I think the word "LOVE" is misused in the western culture. In our culture we don't express our desire very easily and also it takes many different forms in our culture for parents, children, friends, animals, etc. For example, parents never divulge their love for their children in adolescent or young age. "They love them in their heart." I learned about this phrase at a young age from one of my friends. Her husband had a very bad attitude toward his children and I asked my friend why he was so mean to his children and she said:" he always tells me we have to love our children in our heart". I don't know which one is better but I think people in western culture have become a costumed to using the words love and hate very easily in some situation but I feel love and hate for these people does not have a deep or hurtful meaning .(187 words)
Enjoy the School Life
“I like to stay in Canada. I don't want to return to China.” My son says this every time 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. The children have to be pushed by their parents to make the efforts to reach the entrances of the universities.
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 has little homework only some days. He is released from the chunk of homework.
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. 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.
(291 words)
Hate or Love!
Canadians are quite different from Americans even though they may speak the same language.United States has different spelling rules, like “color” or “colour”, “check” or “cheque”.
Anyway, it is an endless list that I will never accomplish to finish. All what I know is when I move to Canada I have to learn again new English grammar rules –Canada way-, I felt like a learning a new language. I used to get confused especially because writing is not my strength.
I remember one day I ask one of my teachers (I cannot mention any name, LOL) “What kind of spelling rules should I used?” Then, she told me “used what you feel is comfortable for you”. But,I really want to learn the Canadian way, so I strive myself until I got the right spelling of my new country.
Moreover, these people are quite different when they talk, you don’t want to hear an inhabitant from New York, compared to one from Alberta is so funny to hear their accent -the first one talks to fast like someone is chasing him, and the second one talks like he is riding a bull or a horse emphasizing a long strong accent-.
Canadians are more layback and peaceful the opposite Americans are more susceptible. Perhaps, not many people around the world like Americans because they stick their nose in so many different issues.
I guess having the opportunity to live in both countries has taught me a vast variety in behaviours. Both countries are not perfect and they have their own unique presentation to the world. Canadians like their poutine and love to say eh! And Americans love their Starbucks and love to say yeah!
287 words.
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