跨文化中的美国和印度价值观差异论文Value Orientation of the Americans and the Indians

6班2012220094 钟琪瑶

Value Orientation of the Americans and the Indians

Key words: Individualism and collectivism Class distinctions the faith In some countries including India, the people believe in collectivism, which means the benefit of a family, a country and society is the most important, individual profit can be abandoned if it is necessary. They are more likely to be considerate, because they try to satisfy everybody, they care about what others say and do. Consequently, Indians hang onto each other and cooperate with others because of this value orientation. In contrast, Americans emphasize individualism. They are more self-centered and like chasing freedom. When they work with others, a group success is achieved by individual values reaching first.

In the movie Outsourced, when Mr. Toad arrived at an Indian house for the first time, the hostess asked him some questions, such as “how much do you earn?”“Did you get married?”“Do you have girl friend?”and “Why didn’t you get married?”which seemed that improper for an American in that it was private matter. The hostess was expressing her care while asking, but for Toad, it may be bothered or even impolite. In American culture, one’s private issue has nothing to do with others. Asking or trying to know one’s privacy can be seen as kind of invasion. Whereas, as for Indians, asking is equal to caring. The link of Indian families is knowing each other deeply, to some extents. However, Americans do not hold the concept family like this. Even now, Americans are stressing individualism more than family. In their minds, when a person grows up, they can have their own life, what they do and think is less to do with their families. In the end of the film, Toad comes back to America, living alone in his own house. And through the movie, he never mentions his parents; maybe it indicates American views of family.

Class distinctions tend to be more obvious in India. The superior and the subordinate, the old and the young, the master and the servant are distinguished by the call, the right and the obligation. The Americans regard these things as less important, and they focus more on personal capacity. They hold an easy attitude toward class distinctions. Among the people, there is more equality and freedom.

In the movie, regardless of whether old or young, all the people in India call Toad “Mr. Toad”. But Americans are accustomed to call others name directly. In the career field, the subordinate

obey the superior, sometimes blindly. Indians marriage is arranged by parents. Asha had a fiancéwhen she was a child. In public, she needs to keep a proper distance with Toad. When they say good bye, anything more than shaking hand seems like improper. Every day, the host family of Toad gives their leftovers to the workers outside the wall. It shows the class distinction so vividly.

Indians worship Hinduism, and they believe in metempsychosis. Everything they have done in this life must relate to what they had done in their former lives. The ox is sacred for them, and an ox should die naturally. Even on the street, the people need to give way to an ox. Indians respect the nature, but Americans think the people can change the nature.

In many scene of the movie, such as the house, the office and the temple, there are strong religious atmosphere. Toad can hardly be used to that at first. Indians depend more on destiny.

In conclusion, although there are many differences or even some conflicts between American and Indian culture and their value orientation, differences make the world colorful. Culture conflicts simulate cultural diversification. There is no definite measurement to judge which value orientation is good and which is bad. They can totally live and develop together.