Note that "culture" means the often unwritten rules we follow. For example, how long, in your culture, should a goodbye after a party take? In some cultures, goodbye may take an hour or more. In others, we say goodbye more quickly.
Friday, February 12, 2010
The Effect of Culture (100-Word Paragraph)
In what way has culture had an effect on you? Choose one good example and write a paragraph of about 100 words that follows the structure of a body paragraph (as in “A Unique Culture”).
Note that "culture" means the often unwritten rules we follow. For example, how long, in your culture, should a goodbye after a party take? In some cultures, goodbye may take an hour or more. In others, we say goodbye more quickly.
Note that "culture" means the often unwritten rules we follow. For example, how long, in your culture, should a goodbye after a party take? In some cultures, goodbye may take an hour or more. In others, we say goodbye more quickly.
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Rules for Essays from Class:
Essays have titles that follow a form and are interesting, attractive and unique. My Classmates is the “usual” title for today’s essay, but it would put Brad to sleep, so don’t write that.
Introduction opens generally and leads to the more specific thesis. In the modern world . . . Nowadays . . . (avoid the over general).
Three ideas may be named or not. Sometimes, when in a hurry, it is easier to say a little more general than naming three.
Standard essays are five paragraphs: intro/conc; body X 3.
Clear connection between the intro and the body, the thesis and the body paragraphs.
The conclusion structure is opposite to introduction structure. Go from specific back to general.
Transition words are mostly unnecessary in short essays.
Culture dictates the “how” of my behaviour. We all shop. But, depending on our culture, we may (or may not) do certain things. I often chat with my cashier (if not too busy) about something more than the weather. It’s thought of as good manners by many of my generation. My parents conversed with cashiers, and I follow their example. It seems odd for people to ignore the person serving them. More than once I’ve watched a customer talking on a cell phone throughout a retail transaction. I roll my eyes at a cashier and she shrugs. The way we behave socially, the “how” of culture affects me every day.
—110 words
Although we've subliminally inherited the traditional culture from our parents, we are sometimes affected by a new society. Every body greets. Taiwanese don't greet strangers even with a smile, yet we ask acquaintances and friends "Have you eaten?" or "Where are you going?" in an energetic voice rather than just "How are you?" We also have exact addresses for generations instead of directly calling people's name. But, in Canada, I start enjoying chatting with a stranger; I'm trying to call my teacher Brad naturally and remember the name of the people whom I meet. I've now altered by Canadian culture.
--100 words
As part of my culture, I was taught to show respect not just to our parents, but to everyone. I was taught to say thank you and to speak when spoken to. I watched my grandmother when we went out. She was so polite to everyone and talked highly of people. I remember her telling me, “Pretty is as pretty does.” At that time I really didn’t understand what it was she was saying, but I think I figure out. If you treat people with respect then you are a pretty person on the inside. If you act ugly, no one wants to be around you. That’s what my culture means to me.
Hana Elayafai Feb 16,2010
ID #45485
Culture is all the knowledge and values shared by a social group. It is something that we can learn from our family and surrounds. I learned from my parents how to treat and respect all people especially the elderly. I saw how they were kind and used gentle words to talk with their mother and father. They also took care of the older people in the community. I grew up in family that the young respect the old and the old are very kind and merciful to the young .Their behavior influenced me a lot that it is in my blood.
Korean has a unique table manner. We put all the plates and drinks in the middle of the table and share them. Korean has the inclination to share their foods, feelings, and many other things. My culture is more like “We” than “I”. Korean often says “our country,” “our family,” even strangely “our husband.” As I moved in Canada, My words and attitudes have been changed. I value myself as a unique person and I respect others individually.
80 words
Culture is a powerful tool to affect on our behavior, variations to think or interpret, and react on situation.
Behavior is one of the “easily seen” differences in cultures. If you ever been in Russia, you definitely noticed the “way different” style of driving: more aggressive, rood, and less predictable. I always say: “People drive the way they live”. Though it very dangerous to drive in Russia for an immigrant, it looks normal for Russian culture.
Interpretation or style of thinking is probably the hardest aspect to describe. I will not be original saying that some people can see the glass of water half way empty, but for others it is half way full. A good example of different interpretation might be opening Olympic Games Ceremony in Vancouver. The first question that Russian group of tourists asked me was: “Why was a boy flying so long? What does it mean?” It was really hard for me to explain the meaning of the book “Who Has Seen the Wind?” You should live here, breeze here to understand Canadian culture.
Different reaction on similar situation is another interesting thing of culture shade. I work in international company with different nationalities: Iranian, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and Filipinos. We often celebrate different evens, and when receptionist announces: “Welcome to Lunch Room to Celebrate”, I know for sure who will be the first, second and third coming in, and whom we will be waiting for. It is probably something that still “with us” as a part of a culture.
Culture influence us a lot in each aspect of our live.
In China, the culture my parents have taught me was to respect people elder than myself. I was taught that I was to address elder people by “aunt” or “uncle” instead of calling them by their names. Children would never call their parents by their first name, but always use titles such as “daddy” or “mummy”. If you were middle aged, you would still be expected to follow such rules. If you were to encounter an elderly lady, you would still address her as "grandmother" as after a certain age of a senior’s life; they will prefer to be addressed in such a way. These rules were taught to us by our parents when we were very young, but we use it for the rest of our lives, which shows how big of an impact culture can be on us.
The Chinese culture had already soaked me deeply to my blood. in Canada, I am like a juggler between two different cultures . In china, shopping is a very time-consuming process, from the basic needs (like vegetables, fruits, or meat) to the extra needs (like cars, jewelry, or computers). For several rounds, you have to bargain the prices by tricks. Here, shopping is a simple and pleasant experience. Just pick whatever you like and pay the money. But once I go to the Crystal Mall or Chinatown, it seems the Chinese Susan comes back. On purpose, I would say the clothes were not good, despite I was really fond of it. Naturally, I would negotiate the prices without any embarrassment. The Chinese Susan is being dyed by the western culture.
In every culture, people have their own family values. These values and tradition makes every culture “unique”. In Canada, students have a diffrent level of respect for their teacher then I am used too. For example, we never call our teacher by his/her name in India. We believe that it is disrespectful and were taught to use madam/sir when talking to our teacher. After moving to Vancouver in 2006, I was surprised when every student called thier teacher by names. In the beginning, it was very tough and awkward for me. In my culture, when the teacher came to the class for a lecture, all students stand up to respect their teacher. Every student is expected to ask for permission from the teacher if they want to come in or out of class. Everything is diffrent here, however, with new morning, I am ready and willing to adapt to the Canadian culture and customs.
--154 words
In Taiwan, we own “wine culture” because we love drinking wine during doing business. It is easily to negotiate with the conditions in business by drinking. We feel relax to modify the restrictions on the contract during drinking. Also, we are used to drinking wine during the weeding because we would like to join the celebrations. Furthermore, we could purchase wine any store without the license. According to law, the sores do not allow to sell wine to teenagers under 18 years old. Yet, some stores against the law and only focus on making money. Many people died in car accident because they are drunk to drive. In Canada, I prefer the sores selling wine with the license have standard business ethics.
--122 words
I have been Canada for five years, but I difficultly accept when children are 18 years old, they usually leave their parents. Although they already are an individual which they have their friends , thoughts and don’t need their parents, their parents are getting older and need to care. In china, parents normally living with their children, especially in the countryside. They like to “noisy” at their home because they can talk to their children or play with their grandchildren everyday, no only at a holiday. They don’t want be alone. Nowadays, I still unwilling to accept this culture, but I know I have to gradually change my attitude, for my son already is a “Canadian”.
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