Welcome to Western Culture Etiquette Western Culture Etiquette

Welcome to. . . Western Culture & Etiquette

Western Culture & Etiquette Information & course materials are available at http: //westernculture. weebly. com Instructor: Erin Greenwalt 葛爱琳 Email: eringreenwalt@yahoo. com Peter Hall Room: A 301 Phone #: 6260 -1622 Cell #: 1 583 807 3297 Office Hours: TBA

Who am I?

My hometown: Chantilly, VA (metro DC)

Experience in the Work World n I’ve worked in several different companies including: A financial services company n A local hotel n A women’s rehabilitation center n

Course Materials n. Notebook n. Pen n. Homework/ Readings n. An alert mind (I want to see you happy & awake!) Please come to class with these four things everyday.

What is cheating? n n n Copying from another student on homework, a quiz, a test or any individual assignment. Copying and pasting from the internet and using that information for an assignment or speech in our class. Taking a test, doing assignments or attending class using another student’s name What is not cheating? n n n Discussing homework with another student, but using your own words for your work. Looking up information on the internet and writing or talking about it in your own words. You should also say where you found you’re the information. Using your own name for tests, homework, and other assignments.

Grading Policy 9)Your grade consists of the Normal Score, Midterm Exam, and Final Exam. 你的成绩是平 时成绩（40%），其中考试（20%），还有期 末考（40%）试组成的。 1) Normal score includes: daily grades, participation, homework, & quizzes. 平时成绩 包括：日常成绩，参加活动，做你的功课，还 有小考试的成绩。

Course Objective “To understand western culture and etiquette and recognize the differences between the east and the west as it applies to professionals in an international business environment. ”

Our Class & My Expectations for You n n n We will study different topics each week related to culture and etiquette. During class: n I will lecture and you will take notes. n You will participate in class discussions. n We will watch some films to clearly see and analyze cultural principles. n You will have quizzes on information learned in class. For homework: n Reading and writing assignments to solve etiquette problems. n Group projects on cultural topics. You should participate and complete ALL assignments.

My Expectations (cont. ) n n Expect a short quiz the next class period after we have discussed a topic. All homework must be written on clean paper, with your Chinese & English name & student ID number. I may or may not grade your homework each time. When I give you homework, you must have the homework finished and give it to me the next class period or you will earn a 0. I want us to learn a lot together, I very much want you to succeed. The harder you work, the better you will do. If you have a problem please come and talk with me about it early. If you wait until the last week or two before the final, it will be too late.

What is Culture? “customary belief, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group. ” Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 10 th ed. , 1997

What is Culture? n Culture is everything the people have created (everything except nature), to give purpose, meaning and value to live. n It can be material. All material things that humans create and is in the course of their lives (homes, cars, clothing, etc. ) n These things are TANGIBLE (perceptible esp. by the sense of touch)

American Culture n Spiritual Culture refers to the INTANGIBLE (incapable of being touched) things that people create and make use of in their lives, like: habits, customs, beliefs, values, traditions, rituals, and ideas. n Every society has its own culture, or a way it is organized through the material and spiritual phenomena (an observable fact or event) that separate it from other societies. n American culture in the ’ 90 s differs from the American culture of the ’ 50 s, and so on.

What is etiquette? A code of behavior that gives expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group. n Acceptable behavior within a society. n Rules of etiquette are usually unwritten, but usually reflect an ethical code, fashion or status. n Etiquette is different depending on status, job, and culture. n Etiquette & culture are directly related. n

Subculture n There can also be subcultures within subcultures, just smaller groups within these subcultures. n Subcultures arise from a common sharing of social positions that include class, race, job, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, politics, education, hobbies, geographic region, and many others.

Subculture n It is important to remember that a film may not reflect a society or culture as a whole n A subculture is distinct within smaller groups within societies. n They can reflect a particular social position within a larger culture, or historical experiences, interests, desires, needs, and a particular way of viewing life within a group of common people sharing a common social identity.

Guess the culture… 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Which culture(s) kiss when they greet each other? Which culture is a very modest culture? Which is not? In which culture is it VERY inappropriate to shake hands with the left hand? Which culture does not wish to accept clocks as gifts? Which culture has a holiday around December 25 th? In which culture do people pray 5 times a day? Which culture enjoys moon cakes during midautumn?

Etiquette Quiz 1) You should put eating utensils in: a. . in any order you want to. b. . determined by the host and/or waiter, so you should ask them. c. . from the inside towards the outside. d. . from the outside inwards. 2) What is the general rule for the foods you drink red and white wine with? a. Red with sweet things and meat and white only with appetizer. b. Red with meat and white with fish and seafood. c. You ask for one or the other as you like. d. White with dishes with more vegetables and red for dishes with less.

Etiquette Quiz (Cont. ) 3) Which statement is not true? a. The order of the use of the different types of glasses and silverware is fixed. b. Your bread plate should stay to the left and your glasses to the right. c. If there is a finger bowl it will probably have a slice of lemon in it. d. White wine and red wine glasses are always the same shape. 4) Which statement is not true? a. Western meals usually start with someone saying grace. b. Keep your elbows off the tables. c. You should scoop up soup into your spoon away from yourself. d. Fingerbowls are sometimes drunk.

Etiquette Quiz (Cont. ) 5) Which statement is not true? a. You might consider avoiding asking if somebody wants a second helping. b. The salt and pepper should be passed directly into the hands of the person requiring them. c. You must always use your fork to take something out of your mouth. d. You should normally put anything taken from your mouth on the side of your plate. 6) Which statement is not true? a. Crisp bacon can be eaten with the fingers. b. Bread should always be "torn" not cut with a knife. c. Hors d'oeuvres, if served at a formal meal, should be eaten with a fork. d. You often eat berries with a fork.

Aspects China U. S. A. Ethnic Culture · Centered around "relationships" · Each minds his/her own business (especially with "strangers" and people outside of the relationship network) · Source of Trust those around you; oral agreements are really important – don’t lose face!! Trust the contract; don't get into problems by not fulfilling the agreement Business Culture Quiet and reserved; not very effective ORAL communicators Outspoken; eloquent; effective ORAL communicators Negotiation Style Group decisions More individual authority Dealing with Business Counterparts Indirect; courteous; take things personally; always remember things (good or bad) Direct; more to the point; business comes first! Centered around "individuals" · “Let's save the world"

Aspects China U. S. A Interpersonal "Relationship" comes first "Economics" comes first On "Humility" viewed as a virtue "Humility" is a sign of weakness; there is every reason for the able to be proud What Commands Respect for seniority, wisdom, ability Respect for success, achievement, wealth On "Family" Children should learn to respect the elder, love the young, and rely on the "extended family" Children should learn to be independent On "the Strong" and "the Weak" It is not righteous to bully It is an honor to win; business is all a competition Discipline (in following procedures and schedules) Strong Depends on the individual Priorities Mixed: business, individual, nationalistic, and political Almost strictly business

Tell me about yourself. . . Please fill out the card for my personal records. In a few minutes, I will ask you to briefly introduce yourself. I will expect you to show me your student ID card next class.

What you hope to learn. . . In groups of 3 -4 students, please discuss & write down the answers on paper for the following questions. 1)Please write down 1 or 2 things you don’t understand about western culture or etiquette. 2) Is there a specific western country or culture you are interested in? Which one? 3) What is a topic you would really like to learn about this semester?

Next time… Come ready to learn and listen. Attendance is important! n The seat you sit in next class will be yours for the whole semester, so choose wisely. n