Task 13. Read the text “Social Behaviour” and translate it.

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 376.

Task 14. Find answers to the following questions in the text and write them down:

1. Where do differences in social behaviour develop?

2. Where are public displays of affections considered crude and offensive?

3. In what cultures is laughter considered a spontaneous display of pleasure?

4. Is laughter a controlled behaviour?

5. Where is sorrow expressed with loud and uncontrolled wailing?

6. What is the attitude to combining business and social pleasure in different cultures?

7. Should we always guard against ethnocentrism?

SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

From culture to culture, differences in social behaviour develop. To illustrate, in some Asian cultures public displays of affection are strongly frowned upon – in fact, considered crude and offensive. Westerners, on the other hand, accept at least a moderate display of affection. To Wester­ners, laughter is a spontaneous dis­play of pleasure, but in some cultures (Japanese, for one), laughter can also be a con­trolled behaviour – to be used in certain social situations. Even such emotional displays as sorrow are influenced by culture. In some Middle Eastern cultures, sor­row is exp­ressed with loud, seemingly uncontrolled wailing. In similar situa­tions, Westerners typically respond with subdued and controlled emotions.

Some cultures combine business and social plea­sure; others do not. Some expect to engage in aggressive bargaining in business trans­actions; others prefer straightforward dealings. Some talk loudly and with emotion; others communicate orally in a subdued manner. Some communicate with emphasis on economy of expression; others communicate with an abundance of verbiage.

The comparisons could go on and on, for there are countless differences in cultures. But it is not necessary to review them all. What is important is that we recognise their existence, that we look for them and that we understand them. Always we should guard against ethnocentrism, using our cultural practices as standards for determining meaning in cross-cultural communication.