Click, click, click... what is your cultural background

For me the concept of intercultural communication was very interesting. I grew up in the beyond small town of Westhaven Ca., where most of the kids I grew up with were all the same as me… white, middle class, and appeared overall happy. To me we were all from the same culture and our parents seemed to be about the same. It wasn't until I moved to Auburn that I was introduced to the cultural world of clicks. I was the new kid and from the “back woods”. When I moved here in 1986 Auburn was probably half the size it is now, and I thought it was a huge city. On the first day of school I went up to a little girl and tried to say hello, she stuck her nose up at me and said I dressed weird. I will never forget the feeling of being the outcast.  We moved again 8 months later to Applegate, and my parents gave me the choice of staying at my current school or changing to the school in the new area and it took me less than 2 seconds to decide I wanted a new school, that I was tired of being the “weird” kid. The interesting thing was that at the new school, I wasn't the weird kid. Again, I was just like everyone else. I made friends with people that to this day we still talk, and hang out. Funny how a little thing like clothing can make or break the idea of clicks for a child. It wasn't race or religion, it was the fact that I liked to wear boy’s pants and climbed trees, and played outside. The way we define culture is personal, and unless we teach our kids acceptance it will never end.

revenge of the clones

I do agree with Ruth Benedict's that we are" creatures of culture". In America we are brought up to be independent, and self-reliant, but in many other cultures children are brought up knowing that the family will rely on them one day in the family unit is interdependent. Our beliefs are completely cultural. In the United States the majority of people are brought up with "Christian beliefs". Our morals and values are based on our religion, history, and upbringing. In other countries their beliefs are based on their history, beliefs, and upbringing; however, they are different from ours. Here's a simple example: Americans think sex and the body are private matters to only be discussed in particular settings, however in Europe sex and the body are celebrated, and discussed openly in public without hesitation. This is a cultural example based on location.

I think that being open-minded, and exploring other cultures, will help us to intermingle multiple ideas, and understand the differences within cultures. The United States is a multicultural country, with multi-religions, multi-ethnicities, and multiple beliefs trying to get along and live together. Although we are much more liberal when it comes to accepting other cultures, there are still the close minded and discontent who think we should all be clones, and those who don't want to join the clone culture should leave.

The good, the bad, and the incorrigible

Trenholm (2011) defines the premises as: “the rationality premise – the belief that most people are capable of discovering the truth through logical analysis. The perfectibility premise is based on the old Puritan idea that humans are born in sin but are capable of achieving goodness through effort and control. Finally, the mutability premise assumes that human behavior is shaped by environmental factors and that the way to improve humans is to improve their physical and psychological circumstances” (p. 334).

 I do not believe in the total concept of the rationality, perfectibility, and mutability premises, but I do think that parts of them are important in American culture.

The rationality premise is based on the idea that most people can use logic to find the truth; however, I think that there are some people in America who just don't have the thinking power to be that logical. I have seen lots of people out there who do not make good decisions. Also, there is no one truth to most situations. People have different perspectives of the same situation and make different decisions based on those perspectives. However, I do think that the American culture is built on the idea that individuals should have the opportunity to provide for themselves; after all, that is the American dream...right?
The perfectibility premise is based on the idea that people are born in sin, but can overcome it through hard work and self-control. I do not believe that people are born in sin or that proclaiming control over basic human nature is necessary to achieve good. I do believe that acceptable cultural and moral behavior needs to be learned. Also, hard work and individual achievement are big parts of American culture (otherwise we would all be rich and famous, and there would be no one to brag that point to). Individuals are expected to work hard and take advantage of the opportunity and freedom provided in America, the outcomes will vary based on the path people choose.

The mutability premise is that humans can be improved through their environment. I think this is generally true; but, I also believe it has to be willed by the person. I live in Auburn, I like to believe that it is a generally  good town. There are people that are brought here for their own personal reasons, who are not as "good" as society thinks they should be, but when put into a good situation, they do not always change their outlook on life, or their moral beliefs. Just because "bad" people are intermingled with "good" people does not mean the "bad" will turn good. 

Too hot, Too cold, Just right

I never really thought about it before, but I guess Temperature does have an effect on communication.  If I am hot and don’t want to be somewhere I tend to listen and/or pay attention less. For instance when we are at the fair and all the venders are trying to get our attention and sell stuff the last thing I want to do is stop in the heat and listen to someone talk about something I am not going to buy in the first place. In the same aspect if it’s cold and all I can think about is getting home to my fireplace and cozy blanket, I am not giving my full attention the teacher giving the lecture, or the friend at school who wants to stop and chat for a moment.  I wouldn't think about temperature as a tension to contend with, but I think the book is right, and it is a distraction and can cause irritability. We all have our vices and comforts, and even if we don’t realize it, temperature is one of them. 

"Shaka bra"

I can’t think of any nonverbal gesture that is one way here in California, but different on the East coast. I know there are plenty of verbal sayings that are different, but I think within the U.S. most gestures are the same. I know culturally there are differences within the U.S. but only because people from other countries bring their cultures and mannerisms with them. I was reading that a simple thumb up signifying a positive gesture here in the U.S. is offensive in the Middle East, and the simple head nod could mean “up yours” if you were in some Asian countries.  When we lived in Hawaii the locals use the Shaka sign, the unmistakable pinky and thumb salute, as the ultimate symbol of aloha and local culture in Hawaii. Interpreted to mean “hang loose” or “right on,” the Shaka is a constant reminder that in Hawaii, it is not the norm to worry or rush. The Shaka sign represents the embodiment of “island style.” It signals that everything is alright. Although there are a lot of people here in the lower U.S. that uses the Shaka sign, there is a cultural difference within the U.S.  Sometimes simple gestures that have been around a long time, tend to be forgotten as originating from a certain area or culture, and now are the norm so no one thinks any differences from them. 

I think I said... But what I meant was...

I am not sure I have necessarily misinterpreted a nonverbal communication, but there are sarcastic and condescending non-verbal communications that are easily misinterpreted. My husband is famous around our house for being a smart butt, and I am famous for being too literal and not getting his sarcasms. The problem is that in order to tell if he is being sarcastic most of the time I need to see his facial expressions. I find it humorous that most of the time I don’t think his humor is funny. I guess if people were more intuitive and better listeners they could increase the accuracy with which they interrupt nonverbal messages. I, however, think that if the sender was a little clearer, and the receiver paid a little better attention and they met in the middle the world may be a little better place. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of patience and taking a moment to appreciate the people around us.