Text I
Cultural Differences?
Or, are we really that different?
Differences between people within any given nation or culture are much greater than differences between
groups. Education, social standing, religion, personality, belief structure, past experience, affection shown in
the home, and a myriad of other factors will affect human behavior and culture.
Sure there are differences in approach as to what is considered polite and appropriate behavior both on
[5] and off the job. In some cultures “yes” means “l hear you” more than “I agree”. Length of pleasantries and
greetings before getting down to business; level of tolerance for being around someone speaking a foreign
(not-understood) language; politeness measured in terms of gallantry or etiquette (e.g., standing up for a
woman who approaches a table, yielding1 a seat on the bus to an older person, etc.); and of expected dress
are all examples of possible cultural differences and traditions.
[10] In Mexico it is customary for the arriving person to greet the others. For instance, someone who walks into a
group of persons eating would say provecho (enjoy your meal). In Chile, women often greet both other
women and men with a kiss on the cheek. In Russia, women often walk arm in arm with their female
friends. Paying attention to customs and cultural differences can give someone outside that culture a
better chance of assimilation or acceptance. Ignoring these can get an unsuspecting person into trouble.
[15] There are cultural and ideological differences and it is good to have an understanding about a culture’s
customs and ways. Aaron Pun, a Canadian ODCnet correspondent, wrote: “In studying cross cultural
differences, we are not looking at individuals but a comparison of one ethnic group against others. Hence,
we are comparing two bell curves2 and generalization cannot be avoided.” Another correspondent explained
the human need to categorize. True and true, but the danger comes when we act on some of
[20] these generalizations, especially when they are based on faulty3 observation. Acting on generalizations
about such matters as eye contact, personal space, touch, and interest in participation can have serious
negative consequences.
Stereotyping can have intense negative effects, especially when educators or managers make fewer
attempts to involve those of other cultures because they have been taught not to expect participation. Or
[25] they do not realize there may be something wrong when a student or employee of a different ethnicity makes
little eye contact with them. Faye Lee, a concerned Japanese-American wrote: “How anyone can try to make
generalizations about an entire continent of people, plus all the Asian Americans and the infinite
permutations of people’s differing experiences, is beyond me.”
As we interact with others of different cultures, there is no good substitute for receptiveness to
[30] interpersonal feedback, good observation skills, effective questions, and some horse sense4. There is much
to be gained by observing how people of the same culture interact with each other. Don’t be afraid to ask
questions as most people respond very positively to inquiries5 about their culture. Ask a variety of people so
you can get a balanced view.
Making a genuine effort to find the positive historical, literary, and cultural contributions of a society;
[35] learning a few polite expressions in another person’s language; and showing appreciation for the food and
music of another culture can have especially positive effects.
Differences between cultures and peoples are real and can add richness (and humor) to the fabric of life.
People everywhere have much in common, such as a need for affiliation and love, participation, and
contribution. When the exterior is peeled off6, there are not so many differences after all.
(Adapted from an article by Gregorio Billikopf - University of California - 2009, in Party-Directed Mediation: Helping Others Resolve Differences, California: The Regents, 1999)
Glossary
1 yielding - ceder, dar
2 bell curves - gráficos em forma de sino
3 faulty - equivocada
4 horse sense - senso comum
5 inquiries - perguntas
6 peeled off - desnudado
Text II
http:/www.weblogcartoons.com/
In “There is much to be gained by observing how people of the same culture interact with each other” (lines 30-31), the expression in bold could be replaced by
