东西方文化交流案例练习题及答案

1、东西方文化比较练习题：(1Jim-American Michiko-JapaneseJim: You know, Michiko. I really enjoy the time we spend together. I really like you. I ve been so happy since we meet.Michiko: Hmmm, thank you.Jim: I mean, I feel like Ive learned so much about you and your culture.Michiko: Yeah, its very interesting.Jim: I

2、 am so glad you came to the United States. Do you like it here?Michiko: Well, its pretty big. Its very nice here.Jim: What do you think about American?Michiko: I dont know. Maybe I havent been here long enough to know.Jim: You must think something.Michiko: Well, Id probably have to think about it.Ji

3、m: I mean, do you like us?Michiko: Well, I dont really know that many Americans yet.Please explain the conflicts between direct and indirect communication styles in the dialogue. With direct communication style, speaker expresses his intention (need and desire openly and directly. Direct styles are

4、often used in low-context,individualistic cultures. In an indirect communication style, which is often seen in high-context and collectivistic culture, speakers usually hide or hint their intentions during interaction. In this case, Jim is not going to get much of an answer from Michiko. Michiko con

5、tinues, throughout the dialogue using rather general answers to Jims very specific and direct questions about her feelings toward the United States. Michiko might believe that Jim is being far too direct and invading her privacy. Michiko cannot possibly say something critical about the United States

6、 because she would lose face, as would Jim, as a native. So she relies on imprecise and indefinite answers.(2Violation of Nonverbal ExpectationIn the following two scenarios, Jim, Akira, and Mitsuko interact. Akira and Mitsuko are exchange students from Japan who are spending a semester studying at

7、an American college.Jim and Akira are at a party.Jim: (Nudges Akira and says loudly This is a great party, eh?Akira: (Is startledstands backtries to put some distance between himself and Jim Yes, thank you.Jim: (Leaning forward toward Akira, with direct eye contact If you want to meet some girls, I

8、could introduce you.Akira: (Shocked by such an offer, he backs away But I dont know them. They might be upset.Jim: Well, how else are you going to meet them?Akira: (Uncomfortable Maybe during a class or something.Mitsuko, another Japanese exchange student, approaches Jim and Akira. She knows Akira,

9、but not Jim.Mitsuko: Hello, Akira. (Bows slightly and looks downAkira: Ah, Mitsuko, this is my friend Jim.Jim: Hi! (Forward leaning into her spaceMitsuko: Hi, Jim. (Bows slightly and does not make direct eye contactJim: Are you two friends? (Wonders why she wont look at him, thinks to himself, “Well

10、, Im not one of them. She probably thinks Im ugly.”Akira: Yes, we know each other.A long pause ensues.Jim: (Thinks to himself, “This is going nowhereIve got to think of something to say. ” He speaks rather loudly Great party, hey guys?Akira and Mitsuko both jump back.Akira: (Thinks to himself, “This

11、 guy is too weird” Yeah, this is fun.Please analyse how each of them violates the others expectations without realizing it using what you have learned about nonverbal communication. This case can reflect different nonverbal communication patterns exist in the actual intercultural communication. Nonv

12、erbal communication differsaccording to different cultures. People might have different opinions about the proper space, time, body language and paralanguage. If we dont pay attention to intercultural nonverbal communication, we will have somemisunderstanding and conflict. In this case, Jim (an Amer

13、ican, Mitsuko and Akira (two Japanese belong to totally different cultures; they have verydifferent opinions about the space and body languages. Therefore, Mitsuko and Akira felt uncomfortable when Jim gave some exaggerated body language and kept close space distance in communication.(3In the follow

14、ing exchange, Mr. Patterson, an American manager working in Korea, is meeting with his supervisor, Mr. Wyman, who is also American. The United States is considered an individualistic culture whereas Korea is considered collectivistic. In this scenario, Mr. Patterson reports to Mr. Wyman about some c

15、hanges he has madewithin several of his sales teams. Later, Park Young Sam, their Korean counterpart, enters into the dialogue.Mr. Patterson: Good morning, Mr. Wyman, thanks for meeting with me this morning. As you know, our division has been doing very well this quarter. In fact, our numbers are up

16、 across the board.Mr. Wyman: Yes, Ive seen your quarterly reports. Nice job!Mr. Patterson: Thanks. In order to recognize their hard work, Ive made some changes in our sales teams. Ive created team leaders in each group. In our product group, I promoted Lee Young-sam. In the marketing group, I promot

17、ed Chun Tae-woo, and in the technology group, I promoted Choi Mino. All of them have been real leaders. I think this idea will really motivate them. In fact, I met with the groups individually and announced the promotions.Mr. Wyman: Good job, Patterson. I can see youre really on top of things. Good

18、work.Two months laterMr. Patterson, Mr. Wyman, and Park Young Sam, a Korean manager, are discussing the poor performance of Mr. Pattersons sales teams.Mr. Wyman: Well, just look at these dismal results. The numbers for this quarter ar way down from last quarter. Whats happened?Mr. Patterson: I dont

19、know. Ever since I introduced the team leader concept the group s productivity has really plummeted. I thought it was a great idea. I guess I chose the wrong people to lead the teams. Ill assign new leaders tomorrow.Park Young Sam: Well you may select new leaders if you desire, but the men you chose

20、 were all very capable. However, by elevating them you made them stand out and disrupted the harmony of each group. In Korea, we all work hard for the group not just one person.Mr. Patterson: I guess I should have just left things as they were.Please analyse the scenario based on what you learned ab

21、out individualism and collectivism. Individualism and collectivism are terms that describe whole cultures. But cultures are not pure. Members of collectivist cultures may practiceindividualistic tendencies while members of individualist cultures may value collectivist ideals. Following their individ

22、ualistic orientations, Mr. Patterson and Mr. Wyman were perfectly comfortable with the idea of creating team leaders within the individual sales groups. However, as Park Young Sammentions, doing so upset the harmony of the groups, which in turn lead to poor performance. In the United States, workers

23、 are often motivated by theopportunity for promotion and advancement as this serves the individualistic drive for individual achievement. In collectivistic culture, however, workers may be motivated by being a part of a cohesive and productive team.(4Kelly: an AmericanKeiko: an JapaneseKeiko: Hey, K

24、elly, lets do something tonight.Kelly: All right.Keiko: Please come over to my house and Ill cook dinner for you.Kelly: I have invited some friends over to my house for dinner tonight, but I dont know if theyre coming.Keiko: Well as soon as you know if theyre coming, let me know.Kelly: I wont know u

25、ntil tonight.Keiko: What time?Kelly: I wont know until they call me. Theyll probably call later this afternoon. Keiko: How will you know whether or not to cook enough for everyone?Kelly: Oh, Ill make up something on the spot. I like to cook. Ill whip up something fast.Keiko: But what if they dont come? Wont they call and let you know?Kelly: No if they dont come, Ill know that something else came up. Ill let you know as soon as I