Cultural bridges

Task 2
Case study.
Read the case and respond to the questions below in written form. Then compare your answers with your partner and share them with the whole class.
What problem did happen in this case?
How should we behave when we greet an unfamiliar foreigner?
How do people greet each other in the world?
How would you behave if you are greeted in a way from different culture that is not known by you?
Johnson was a young doctor who came to India to conduct lectures on neurosurgery. The course was international so they had students from different countries like Saudi Arabia, Central Asia, Malaysia, Russia. Brazil Estonia, Cambodia, and others. It was the first day and everybody was greeting each other and getting acquainted. An Arabic doctor Muhammad al-Hakim approached Johnson and introduced himself. Johnson also introduced himself and gave a hand to shake as Muhammad pulled Johnson and tried to hug and to kiss on his chicks. Johnson was shocked he kicked him shouting angrily “What are you doing?” Muhammad was looking at him offended.

Task 3
Facts:
You are doing practical training in London. Your mentor is Phil, a 40-year old Londoner. Phil doesn't speak Uzbek and has never met people from your country before.
What would you do in the following situations?
1) Small-talk – you want to break the ice. Which topic would you choose?
a) family b) weather c) politics
2) There is a difference of opinion between you and Phil. How do you tell him that he is not right?
a) You are not right. b) I think this is not true. c) I understand your point of view, but ...
3) Phil accidently treads on your foot. How do you react?
a) Sorry. b) Never mind. c) Ouch!

Task 4
Read the situation and answer the given questions:
Laylo an Uzbek girl from the countryside of Uzbekistan was given an opportunity to study in the USA. She was calm, shy girl who loved poetry and literature. That is why she decided to be an English teacher and improve kid`s English via English literature. It was her first time being in the USA and she felt homesick. The first thing that made her shocked was that how students call the teacher. Just with the first name Tom. Another thing that was strange for her was that students come in and go out without getting permission from the teacher. She didn’t miss a class, took notes during the lessons, and submitted all written tasks required. However, she wasn’t so active in class and she had lack of confidence in oral presentations. When the scores started being announced she found out that her score was D. Laylo was confused by not knowing what is D and why D?
Why did the confusion happen?
What is the difference between educational culture in the USA and Uzbekistan?

Task 5 Look at these questions about behavior. How similar or different are your opinions?
a. How close do you usually stand to a friend while you are talking to them? What about if you are standing with a work colleague or a stranger? How close is too close?
b. How much eye contact do you think is too much? How much eye contact is too little? Why?
c. How comfortable are you when a friend touches your arm or pats you on the back? What about a colleague or an acquaintance? When does it become too much?
d. When do you usually arrive at a party: on time? 15 minutes late? 2.5 hours late? 10 minutes early? How about a business meeting?
Do you think your answers to these questions are influenced by your culture? Why/why not?
What other things do you think might be influenced by culture?
When you move to a new country, what aspects of culture are the most difficult to get used to? Why?