Wednesday, June 3, 2015

LSS 2113 Intercultural Studies - 12 Dimensions Critical Reflection


  • Part 1

Firstly, communication is the way you communicate with others, and it’s either direct or indirect. In fact, I think communication is the most important skill of all life skills. Moreover, I strongly believe that both polarities should be used. Some cases need indirect communication skills and other needs direct ones. Being direct to a close person of yours is ok, but being direct with a stranger is not always ok, because the close person will understand and get your point without getting hurt unlike the stranger.

Moving on to context. It can be formal or informal. In my point of view, I think that in some cases you have to be formal, and informal in other. Lets take this as an example, an employee cant act informal with his boss. There should be a red line that the employee should consider and try not to cross it. On the other hand, talking to a friend of yours in an informal way is not a big deal, its actually okay.

Destiny can be directive or directed. In fact, directive is when you take control of your own life and make your own choices. Whereas directed is when someone else takes control of your life. According to that, some parents take control of their children’s life and don’t give them the freedom to make their own choices.

Last but not least, expression, and it can be concealed or revealed. Some people are more likely to conceal their expressions they don’t get to show you how do they really feel about a certain topic, and some are complete the opposite.


  • Part 2

Based on the CMI result, I can make the following conclusions about the dimensions and polarities that are more likely to describe me.

In the communication category, I tend to be more direct than indirect, and so does my group. In fact, I am a more direct oriented person and I totally agree with that, but it doesn’t mean that I don’t get to be indirect in some cases.

According to my questionnaire results, I seem to be a little bit more formal than informal, and its true! I really consider being formal in some situations and informal in other.

Moving to destiny, I tend to be more directive than directed and it’s totally true. My parents gave me the freedom to take control of my life and by that I can make my own decisions. But surly there are some lines that can’t be crossed.

Lastly, I tend to be more conceal oriented and I strongly agree. I prefer to keep my feelings to myself without expressing them to others. On the other hand, there are times I feel like my emotions should be expressed, but in a controlled way.

  • Part 3

I think that the results may change a little over the becoming years because nothing remains the same and there might be some lessons in the future that can make me change something to better, but for the mean time I’m satisfied with the results.



Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Exercise #6


Extra: Elect FNC members on qualifications


This article talks about  elections and how to vote and choose a candidate. The dimensions that I thought were so obvious and clear are status/ascribed and outlook/innovation. In addition, the status is ascribed because people vote for those whom well known by the name not the qualifications. Whereas the outlook is innovation is when Ali Al Nuaimi and Tariq Lootah mentioned that people should think of the benefits and qualifications before voting.

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Exercise #6

15 powerful quotes from the world's most humble president.


Quote
Dimension
Polarity
Why you think so?
1-On revolutions and revolts.
Accountability
Community
He thinks that we depend on society, so we can live.
2-On legalizing divorce
Outlook
Traditional
Because he's afraid of the changes that might happen in conservation and traditional opinion.
3-On materialism
Destiny
Directed
He believes that God takes control and organizes every single detail in our life.
4-On global consumption
Growth
Personal
He thinks about people and how their needs can be satisfied.
5-On Abortion and same sex-marriage
-
-
-
6-ending conflict
Relationship 
Universal He tries to help people as much as he can.
7-On staying humble in  office
Status 
Ascribed suddenly becoming kings. 
8-On redistribution of wealth
Growth
Personal
Because Mujica stated that the important investment we can make is in human resources.
9-On Age
Outlook
Innovation
Old people should become open-minded at some point because most of them are old because of whats in their heads, not because of their age. 
10-On Addiction
Communication
DirectHe mentioned that drugs, cigarettes and alcohol are bad addictions in a straight forward way.
11-On poorest president
Expression
Reveal
He revealed the way he feels, and he talked about how difficult his life used to be without feeling ashamed.
12- On donating
Decision making
Relationship  He chose to donate 90% of his salary to charity.
13- his goals
Outlook
innovationMujica is trying his best to achieve his goal. He's thinking about the future of Uruguay and hoping for others to continue his work.
14-On being a president
Context
InformalHe thinks that the ideal way of living is to live like the vast majority of people not as a president, and thats due to his humbleness.
15-On the secret of happiness
Communication
Direct
He tried to deliver the idea directly. 

Sunday, April 26, 2015


Exercise #5

"Outsourced" the movie study guide


Cultural Dimensions in Outsourced:

Cultural Dimension
Character
Todd, Puro, Aisha or other
Outsourced Scene
or Circumstance

Communication- direct/indirect
Todd and the manger DaveA direct communication when Todd was called by his manger Dave to the office.

Accountability – Individual / group
the indian employeesThe indian employees started to work together as a group so they can improve themselves.

Decision-making: rules / relations
Todd and his manger DaveTodd was forced to go to india and he've been told that he will loose his job if he didn't perform the order.

Expression – Reveal / conceal
ToddTodd revealed his expressions when his manger Dave told him about going to india and it was so obvious that he disliked the idea.

Connecting – Inclusive / exclusive
Indians People of india gets to celebrate the day of Holi with everyone even with foreigns. 

Context – Informal / formal

Todd and the indian employees The context was formal between Todd and the indian employees.


Reflections:

3. When he gets on the train, he cannot find an empty seat. How is this problem
solved for him? How might this be a cultural solution?
 Todd got on the train and couldn't find an empty seat. Therefor, an indian kid gave up on his seat to Todd. In return to that, Todd enabled the kid to sit on his lap. I think that this is a cultural solution because respecting older people is a must in every culture.

4. As any exchange student, he has a lot of experiences trying new food. His first
encounter is with an iced drink. What happens?
As soon as Todd got in the car with Puro, he was offered to drink an iced drink. And then Puro told him that a lot of tourists got sick and ill after trying this iced drink. Todd felt the stomachache right after he knew.  

7. Todd wants to check in to a hotel. But Puro insists he comes to a boarding house.
What is the reason he gives Todd?

Puro didn't want Todd to feel lonely in the hotel, he insisted that he goes to a boarding house so he can have someone to take care of him and keep him in company.

8. As soon as they meet, Auntie Ji starts asking very intimate questions that
Americans who have just met would never ask. What kind of things does she ask?
Auntie Ji asked Todd a very direct personal questions such as how much is your salary? do you have a girl friend? Are you willing to get married?. Todd was shocked about being asked about his personal life by a person he just met.


Monday, April 20, 2015

Exercise #4


CULTURES AROUND THE WORLD MAKE DECISIONS

How does culture and the 12 dimensions influences:
  •  Life choices.
  • Thinking.
  • Sense of group \ accountability.


One Asian model

 Communication, expression and connecting are the three dimensions that the model I chose is mainly focusing in. First of all, communication is Asia is indirect. Individuals can't talk to the head directly or in a straightway, they must talk to the person who's in charge to deliver the talk, whom most probably be the group leader. Secondly, Asians are more likely to conceal their expressions, they doesn't depend on self-expressions and they don't get the chance to express the way they feel. Thus, Asians can't give out their point of view about anything and they can't make their own choices. Thirdly, the way Asians connect is exclusive. They only connect with people from their own society or people they personally know. In other words, they are isolated together. 
In my point of view, these dimensions affected on people's life choices. In addition, they can't think more than what they are allowed to think of. Asians must think of the group they're in before thinking about themselves, and if a person objected or disagreed on something he will be judged and considered odd. Moreover, here in the United Arab Emirates women's choices are limited whereas men get to do whatever they want. Women should think about culture and traditions before making any step, and they get judged about anything they make wether is it a good thing or not. I think that self-expression is so important and every person should have the right to express their own feelings, but women here mostly conceal their expressions and only reveal it in some situations.   

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Presentation #2


"Emirati Women marrying foreign men."
Group members: Alyazyeh AlShehhi and Fatima AlZaabi 

  • Background facts:  Historic & Present. (Fatima)
  • Describe the conflict and participants. (Fatima)
  • Root causes (possible minor symptoms of these) (Fatima)
  • Apply the WorldViews for All participants: HS / GI / PF (others?) (Alyazyeh)
  • What is a suitable Re-solution to this conflict? (Alyazyeh)
  • How can this situation be avoided in the future in other cases? (Alyazyeh)


Resources
  • "Maryam's Thoughts: Emirati Women and Foreign Men." Maryams Advice. N.p., 30 Nov. 2013. Web. 13 Mar. 2015. <https://maryamsadvice.wordpress.com/2013/11/30/maryams-thoughts-emirati-women-and-foreign-men/comment-page-1/>.
  • "More Emirati Women Marrying Foreigners | The National." More Emirati Women Marrying Foreigners | The National. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2015. <http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/more-emirati-women-marrying-foreigners>.
  • "IS IT TRUE ..PEOPLE in DUBAI Cant Marry from Another Country." IS IT TRUE ..PEOPLE in DUBAI Cant Marry from Another Country. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2015. <http://www.dubaiforums.com/ar/is-it-true-people-in-dubai-cant-marry-from-another-country-29-22953.htm>.
  • "Sharjah Ruler Issues Citizenship Decree | The National." Sharjah Decree: Children of Emirati Mothers and Foreign Fathers to Get Equal Pay as Citizens. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2015. <http://www.thenational.ae/uae/government/sharjah-ruler-issues-citizenship-decree>.
  • "Children of Emirati Mothers, Expatriate Fathers Offered Citizenship | The National." Children of Emirati Mothers, Expatriate Fathers Offered Citizenship | The National. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2015. <http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/children-of-emirati-mothers-expatriate-fathers-offered-citizenship>.


Thursday, March 5, 2015

Exercise #3

Adapting to a new culture - Avoiding conflict
Able or Unable


Mrs. Hardcastle: Was able to adapt by having the manger's (Patel) room instead of her room because the room she booked for has no doors.

Mr. Graham: He was looking for an address and he didn't find it, unfortunately. In fact, he was able to adapt with Indian kids by playing cricket with them and trying to enjoy every single moment. 
  
Mrs. Donelly: She travelled to India to get her hip replaced, and she kept saying that she wants to go back to england as soon as possible. In addition, she tried to avoid her surroundings which means that she refused to adapt.

Mr + Mrs Ainslie: Mr.Ainslie went out to discover India and tried to communicate with people over there, whereas Mrs.Ainslie stayed at the hotel and it looks like she didn't like the atmosphere.