I interviewed an individual who comes from a different culture

I interviewed an individual who comes from a different culture

I interviewed an individual who comes from a different culture. Her name is Juliet, and she is an American native, 22 years of age and currently schooling in the Pace university college pursuing a degree in Psychology and Sociology. She is friendly as well as an outgoing individual that has been my friend since I arrived here for studies. She has taken me through the numerous predicaments I have encountered in my endeavour to adapt to the American culture or way of living

The interview

1. What are your family roles/gender roles? How are they the same as or different from those traditionally practised by your culture (who is the head of the household, who makes decisions, how are decisions made, etc.)?

Juliet: As a woman, my family roles are housekeeping, preparation of meals as well as laundry. These roles have remained the same since the time of our forefathers who believed that the critical functions of females were to stay back at home and run the household while men moved out to go and work to provide for their families. It is, however, essential to note that things have entirely changed since we have several women that are now empowered and also work.

2. What does your culture and family see as primary family goals (education, marriage, etc.)?

Juliet: The American culture much values education as a critical feature of the prosperity of its people. It also values the family and therefore encourages its people to marry and raise responsible families whenever their right time comes.

3. What is your culture’s view on alternative lifestyles (living together before marriage, domestic partnerships, single parenting, etc.)?

Juliet: According to the American tradition, it is a great mistake for people to start living together as man and wife before they are officially married to each other. The American culture has heavily browed from the Christianity point of view, which discourages the vice of cohabitation. Most Americans are Christians that highly adhere to Christianity values.

4. What are your family’s religious beliefs, and have they changed over generations?

Juliet: my family and I are staunch Christians and believe in one God the Almighty. Our religious believes have remained intact, and I do not see them changing any time soon.

5. What are your family’s spiritual beliefs around death and dying?

Juliet: Since we are Christians, my family believes in eternal life after death. We are told in the bible that there is life after death.

6. What are your culture’s education and occupational status within the family unit?

Juliet: The educational, as well as occupational status within my family, are of high status since we greatly value education as the key to success in life.

7. What is your culture’s preferred communication methods (verbal and nonverbal)?

Juliet: The most preferred form of communication in American culture is face to face verbal communication. This verbal communication is the perfect way of conveying a message.

8. How can you describe your take on world view?

Juliet: The world is a global village. With the constant advancements in technology, the world is turning to be a small global village. Therefore all of us should strive to understand and fit into different cultures globally.

9. What is your take on disability among individuals in society?

Juliet: Disability is not inability. It is my wish and appeals to all that we should treat all the disabled persons with the respect they deserve. It is my wish to one day see an American president that is disabled.

10. Why do American people often avoid asking about age, salary and religion in communication? “Liz”

It is considered rude and impolite to ask about age because people don’t like to get older and do not want people to think that they are old. People don’t ask about income because that leads to comparisons between who makes more money an who is better than whom. People do not ask about religion or politics because they want to get along with each other and not disagree as people often do disagree when they compare religions and political views.

Impact of cultural differences

During the interview, different similarities were evident, particularly in family responsibilities. According to the American culture, men played significant duties in the family. The interviewee ascertained that the men are the primary decision-makers in a family; no member of the family ought to question the powers. Male and female are viewed from different points as far as family roles are concerned. Men provide to their families. Females rarely work away from their homes. For instance, in the United States, female responsibilities were constrained to households until after the Second World War when they played significant roles in building the nation’s economy. With contemporary financial trends, females in the United States are taking up leadership responsibilities. Women now have the chance to work in what was perceived to be male careers such as pilots and doctors.

Further, in the American culture, the family is critical since kids learn significant family values that are passed down from one generation to the other (Volini, 2017). Nevertheless, according to the American culture, family comes before other interests. Every individual is expected to work for the benefit of his family. Further, the kids are brought up with gender-specific responsibilities. Boys’ responsibilities are outdoors while girls’ responsibilities are indoors assisting with cleaning and cooking. As kids grow, they may have the chance to attend a school or may stay at home even when learning opportunities are available.

Some of the cultural variations include types of communication, such as verbal or non-verbal. Four dimensions referred to power distance, individualism, masculinity, along with uncertainty avoidance, are noted as significant aspects differentiating the American and Chinese culture. The United States citizens prefer communicating directly. They tend to relay their wholistic message utilizing verbal means, paying little concentration to body language. It is anticipated that individuals ought to get the point. However, that does not mean that the Americans are not courteous in their communication. It essentially means that the American people might at times miss distinctions in their day to day discussions

Power Distance Dimension

This aspect refers to a traditional difference whereby the less powerful people in the society anticipate and accept that power is unevenly shared. From another perspective, this is a standard of unfairness owning to the ranks created by a power distance. In nations like the United States, where the power distance dimension is high, those with more and those with less power ought to be in uniform levels (Alban & Reeves 2014).

Individualism-collectivism Dimension

This aspect is a standard of the feeling of belonging, which duplicates the power distance aspect. In general, high power distance nations appear to be more collaborative, while nations with low power distance tend to be more individualistic. Individuals in a collaborative tradition are more personally incorporated, and their societal connections are more bound. However, at the same time, their personality is constrained, and their individual views are anticipated to be subject to the desire of the clique they relate with (Alban & Reeves, 2014). On the contrary, an individualistic tradition looks remote as well as objective in terms of societal connections, and individuals specifically value their expression like speaking an individual’s mind is a strength.

Masculinity and Uncertainty Avoidance dimensions.

The masculinity aspect has something that relates to females’ responsibilities. Nevertheless, on a wider sense, when used to refer to both male and female, a masculine community is regarded to be or is a performance community, where individuals are inspired by ambitions, material affluent along with personal achievement. On the other hand, a feminine community assumes that being unique from the rest is not admirable. The variation often results in the antagonistic attitudes towards life and work, like being alive to work or working to stay alive (Alban & Reeves. 2014).

Culture and Geographic

From the interview, I was able to learn that each place or society has a different culture that helps them in their daily work. For example, there are places where they believe in individualism, i.e. self-independence being their main virtue, they will be able to focus on their own. Also, the culture of the place plays an important role in determining the behaviour of people and how they conduct themselves through socializing and accommodating other people.

Conclusion

The interview was successful, and I was able to learn a lot of things both about the person and the values and cultures of the American people. America is a country with different tribes, and they believe in doing things individually and have a specific culture of not mixing home and work issues. The interview deepens my culture awareness by helping me knowing how countries work and how culture affects work in general.