Blog post #6 - due on Monday, April 4
Dear students,
Our topic this week will be Culture Shock; Another Perspective.
You have all talked in our classes about the culture shock you experienced when you came to the U.S. Now, think about what it would be like for a tourist in your native country. What if your teacher ( I, Diana) were coming for a trip? What advice do you have for me? What should I know, before I travel to your country? What should I do and not do, in order to have a successful experience?
Several of you come from the same countries. I hope you will say different things!
I look forward to hearing from you all.
Best,
Diana
1, When I came to USA, one of the culture shock for me is greeting strangers. In China, we don't simile or say "hi" to strangers. When you do that in my country, some people may think you have some purpose on them. But I feel great for this. It really makes feel happy to see everyone are friendly to me, and the world is fall of positive things. Other culture shocks are some etiquettes. For example, eating when you walk on the street, or yawn without keep out, etc. Those behaviors are ok in our country, but not ok in there.
ReplyDelete2, China have very different culture with US. You may surprised when people whom you just meet to ask your age, marry condition, or your job. But it just is kind of way to chatting. If you travel to China with your kids, especially the one who has blond hair and blue eyes, you will find many strangers are friendly to you and your kid. They will try to make your kid funny, and even by touch their body and check, or feed them food. You may think this behavior is rude, but it just kind of culture things. Chinese respect older people, and love little child.
3, If you go to China, I suggest you to take some tissues when you go out, because most of public restrooms in China don't provide tissues. So if you hang out without tissues, you may in a predicament. One good thing for you is that you don't need to pay tip for waiter or room service. We don't have this custom. Some restaurants don't allow their waiters accept extra money from customers, even their work is good. When you go to big city, you will find everywhere is crowded, therefore, take care your kids and your stuffs. Because of Chinese people always respect older people, so people will offer their seat to you, even in a crowded subway train or bus.
If you would like to come to Saudi Arabia, you have to put the dress code in consideration. There is something called Abaya which is long black cape and you have to wear it when you go outside. It is obligatory. Do not get people wrong when they urge you for dinner, peoole are very generous there and they usually use that way to pay for you the dinner or lunch when you are out with them. Maybe you will feel it is too much, it is just one of Arabs' traditions which is generosity. Fortunately, there is no tips in Saudi Arabia. It is optional, but we dont have it asa custom.
ReplyDeleteThe dress code really shock me. I have similar experience when I traveled in Thailand. There have many temples, and we have to wear long cloak to cover our body. Wear shorts, mini skirts, or tank (all kinds of cloth that show off skin)is not allowed in the temples; they think it may offend their god. How about the movie stars in your country? I saw some female super stars are very pretty. Do they also must wear black cape when they go to the public place?
DeleteIt is good to dress Abaya. For me, it is new to experience others culture and religion.
DeleteANTHONY NYONG
ReplyDelete1. If my Professor Diana were to visit my country, Nigeria, as a tourist, I will advise her to be mindful of anybody.
Currently, Nigeria is ravaged by terrorism. A good number of people appear to be normal, but are pretenders. There is a chain of abduction, kidnapping and bombing. More often, the targets are foreigners. Most tourist go along with security guards. Hence, caution will be the watchword.
2. What she must know is that the level of disorderliness in Nigeria right now is so shocking. No good roads, no electricity, no good hospitals. For me, it is not a safe place for tourism at the moment. It is however good to note that there are beautiful tourists sites, but dreaded for security reasons.
3. What to do; A careful tourist can still come and return safely, despite the dangers listed above. You should be mindful of where you go, and when you go there. You could limit your visit to certain areas, and with caution.
What not to do; Do not presume anybody. Do not open up to anyone either, about your daily routine, so they don't follow you up, avoidably.
REACTION TO WASMIA'S POST:
It is so nice the aspect Wasmiah talks about the generous habit of the Saudis.
It is one place I long to visit and have a feel of real Islamic culture. I love other Religions, and I have always longed to reach out to the high centers of other people's culture.
If my professor, Diana come to my native country, China. I have some advises:
ReplyDeleteFirst, you have to know: in China, the way people write the address and name is totally different. We write address from big place to detail. Like from name of country, state, city, name of the road then the number in the road is in the end. Furthermore, we write family name before given name.
Second, when you walk on a park, you may see some people dancing together. Don't surprise for that. That is the way that Chinese parents or grandparents like for exercise. If you like, you can just join in them, there is always a leader, it is easy to follow them.
Last. in China, younger people usually give the seat to the older people in the bus or subway. It is Chinese traditional culture, which is"respect older people and giving love to the kids". So when you see people give out their seat in bus, they just show their respect.
My advice to tourist who wants to visit my country Saudi Arabia are many. The weather is hot. So the best time to visit it in winter.Woman cant drive cars , so you must have a driver or taxi . As our culture we respect older people . our weeding is totally different from US. we start our weeding at 10 pm , it is separate women from men. But woman have all the fun .We usually start at 10 for woman and stay until 4 am. For men from 8 to 12 am. In the woman section we have a singer that sing all the period and we enjoy eating snakes, Arabic coffee and tea. All our family and relative together . Some times the pride put in front the entrance here picture and a note to wish her luck.It is great experience for anyone. If you go to the restrooms dont surprise to see a water pipe with the tissues . It is very important to use both of the water and tissues to clean after .But here no one use it and it was hard for me to deal with it .
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your very interesting comments. You have prepared me very well for my trip. Now I would love to travel to China, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria!
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend,
Diana