跨文化交际作业

Question:Cultures differ in their value orientation and these differences (Reread Chapter 3) can cause conflict in the workplace as well as in interpersonal interactions. Please use the American movie “Outsourced ” as a text and analyze how differences in the US American and Indian cultural value orientations have affected the interactions between the hero of the movie and his Indian trainees in the workplace as well as other Indian people.1. IntroductionValues are, according to Rokeach, “a learned orga nization of rules for making choices and for resolving conflicts.”These “rules” and guideposts are normative and teach us what is useful, good, right, wrong, what to strive for, how to live our lives, and even what to die for. As albert says, a value syst em “represents what is expected or hoped for, required or forbidden. It is not a report of actual conduct but is the system of criteria by which conduct is judged and sanctions applied.” Cultures differ in their value orientation and these differences can cause conflict in the workplace as well as in interpersonal interactions. Using the American movie “Outsourced ” as a text，it is not hard to find that differences in the US American and Indian cultural value orientations have affected the interactions between the hero of the movie and his Indian trainees in the workplace as well as other Indian people.2. Value differences2.1 collectivism and individualismcollectivism is the ideology which stresses the priority of group goals over individual goals and the importance of cohesion within social groups. Collectivists usually focus on community, society, or nation. In this kind of society, people fit in the powerful and close group since they were born. The group provides perpetualprotect to gain people’s abso lute loyalty to it. However, individualism is the ideology which emphasizes the moral worth of the individual and core family. Individualists promote the exercise of one's goals and desires and so value independence and self-reliance and advocate that interests of the individual should achieve precedence over the state or a social group, while opposing external interference upon one's own interests by society or institutions such as the government.American is a typical individualism country, and India is a collectivism country. When Puro heard that Toad did not live with his parents and they lived not far but hardly meet, he thought that was strange and unbelievable. At that time, Toad could not give his reason, for that is just American value. While, Indians live with their extended family members, for example, Sanchi put all his family members’ picture on his desk. There were too many pictures, which amazed Toad. In addition, even in workplace, Indians want to see their family members’ pictures, for they miss them and they promote collectivism. Besides, Auntie-Ji asked Toad the profession of his father, for Indians promote the close relationship of family members. Toad had booked Gharapuri Palace Hotel, but Puro insisted to lead him to Auntie-Ji's guest house, for he thought Auntie-Ji will take care of him better than his own real mother and hotel will make him lonely. In fact, Puro wanted to give Toad the felling of family, but Toad preferred alone. Toad asked Asha whether she want to live in America, said she will miss her parents, for they value family. Auntie-Ji asked Toad about his personal affaires and actively introduced Indian girls to him, which shows the Indian tradition that the old cared about the young.2.2beliefToad, as an American, likes eating cheeseburgers which contains beef. And American use red hot irons to keep track of baby cows. While India regard cows as their holisom, and cows cannot be killed or eaten. Indians put their pictures of god in the bed room, which seems like a terror to Toad. In Toad’s home, he put the image of Washington, the father of the nation. India has three gods: the god of creation, the god of protection, and the god of destruction. Especially for the god of destruction, Toad could not understand why Indians worship her. But Indians thought destruction was agood thing, for destruction ends one cycle so a new one can begin. Because of the astrology, Bhagyash ree’s moons are lined up, auspicious time, so she must get marriage in that year.2.3cleanlinessAmerican value cleanliness, but Indians seems value less of that. Indian urinates in the street and sells unclean water ice that make Toad have diarrhea. Children in India always dressed themselves dirty.2.4Extending individualityToad liked others calling his name, but Indians tended to call him Mr. Toad. And when Auntie-Ji met Toad, she asked him“What is your good name”. Indians tend to emphasize etiquette. Toad always smiled when speaking, while Puro seemed serious. In any case, toad expressed his opinion freely. He said what he really do was sell kitch to rednecks and then he had to train some schmuck to do that. He spoke out that Indians were schmuck.2.5seeking the wealthToad did not willing to work in India, but at last he went to there, because he wanted to get his stock. Puro could not understand that and asked him “you hate your boss and you don’t like this company. Why not choose something else”. Toad’s answ er was that he didn’t know but just know work hard. When Indians lose their jibs, they did not feel distressed for they could find new jobs with their capability.2.6Individual freedomToad invited Asha to the place where he staying to have some teas, but Asha refused because people might talk. Toad did not care whether people talk and thought was a free woman. Toad thought should speak intensely as she want and do not worry what people think. What’s more, was engaged when she was four years old. had no right to choose for herself and she seemed willingly accept his parents’ arrangement. She was willing to learn to love his husband, Ashok. The only reason is that Indians obey their parents’ arrangement for their marriage and never doubt that.2.7attitudes toward love affairesToad treated having sex before marriage was doesn’t matter and he did that evenafter he knowing Asha had engaged. While for Asha, she feared others knowing her disloyalty. She was eager to have it and regarded it as holiday in Goa.2.8dailylifeThere is no toilet paper in india toilet, which made Toad uncomfortable. Indians add four spoon of sugar in the drink, while one spoon is enough for Toad. Indians dress traditional costume to work, while American dress formally. The different names of objects made Americans misunderstood the meaning of Indians, rubber and eraser is an example. Puro liked the day of holi most when he was young, while Toad liked Halloween most. Toad likes eating beef, but Indians like curry and spice. And Indian had no real Mcdonald. Indians gave their leftovers to the poor. Some cities are a same name, and every town in India has an MG road, which stands for Mahatma Ghand, the father of India. So the shipment that carried the products went to a wrong place. In india, transportation was not convenient, and few cars in the street. Because ferry was blowing up, Toad and Asha had to stay at the island. Americans liked small talk, so Toad taught his subordinates to make small talk and spoke with American accent. The subordinates2.9equalityAmerican emphasizes equality, while Indian is not. Toad actively apologized to his subordinates and promote Asha for her was the best. But Puro thought Toad had no need to apologize and woman should not be promoted as a leader. Then Toad said Asha could do everything.2.10 bargainIndians are good at bargain. The taxi driver said it was too far to Bombay and asked 6000 rupees at first and 4000 rupees at last which seemed still too much. Toad knows little about bargain.2.11 telling liesToad told his subordinates to say they were in Chicago. The Indians said they would not tell lies. Then, Toad did not know how to answer that.2.22 long-term orientation and short-term orientationLong-term orientation means the orientation of cultivating the morality ofpursuing future return, especially tenacity and economy. Short-term orientation means the orientation of cultivating the morality about the future and the current, especially respecting the tradition, safeguarding face, and performing social duty. In order to get his stocks, Toad went to India and persisted to get the MPl down to six point zero from 15 minutes. 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