Manners And Verbal Expressions Across Cultures

 2/13/13    
       

       After watching this video, I found it very interesting to learn the different manners to be aware of towards different cultures.
       When listening of the story about Asian cultures or middle eastern cultures; they do not call people by their first name. According to the people of Asian people, they describe their relationships when speaking to someone rather than calling them by their first name. For Example, Amys mother; instead of saying Mary. I wonder if it is the same as my family saying Mormor , which is Swedish for saying Mothers mother also known as Grandma in American? Also when I was brought up , I was told when speaking to an adult it is respectful to approach them by addressing them as Mr. or Mrs. (last name). And listening more to the video, I learned that in some cultures their first name is really their last name but sequenced first ! I never knew that.
      Another part of the video I found interesting that it is not acceptable to compliment babies in Indian cultures. And that they put a mark on the babies head to remind people not to. Also complimenting or praising people from Philippians and Asian cultures. There causes a tension , because they think, wasn't I doing well before my compliment? Also that they do not want to accept a promotion because you are then taking them out of from what they know.
     When Norine Dresser spoke about people from other cultures not saying what they really mean; in the case of asking the class " does everybody understand?" and the class would say "yes " and node their heads when not being fully honest. I can understand the childern who do this, even though I am not from another culture as a child I would say yes because I didn't want to be pointed out as the only one who didn't know. Which in fact there were probably many other students in the class room who did not understand and could have benefited from any questions being asked. However she then spoke about what to say to a class instead which I was interested in learning a different technique. A different way of asking is phrasing the question in another way for example, "tell me what you don't understand", "what confuses you?" This is because students say what the teacher wants to hear, but they may not really understand.

Manners And Body Language Across Cultures

2/10/2013    

      I find body language so intriguing  there are so many different signals a person can do without even knowing they are talking without words.
      After watching the video of Norine Dresser speaking about manners along with body language, i feel following by receiving my class student list, that it is important to be aware of the students backgrounds. This takes you close to being aware of your surroundings and how to react properly.
      For instance, when I was younger and my mom would speak to my friends, she would expect them to look her in the eye. She found respect from making eye contact; this showed you were well engaged to the conversation. If you did not , you seemed to be not trust worthy or not paying attention. I understand some cultures eye contact is offensive; when being a younger kid they must obey and respect their elders. Therefore, as a teacher I will not be asking children to look me in the eye. There could be many other things in a child's life a teacher may not see right away; for instance child abuse. A child may not look into your eyes because they are being knocked around at home; or the child may have insecurities.
      The smiling part of this video chat, really surprised me. I did not know smiling was used for how angry a culture of people could be in photos. I really thought smiling was from a muscle contraction of happiness. However,  I suppose I can compare it to when people put on a fake smile but in really they are upset or crying. Body language can give away emotion from happy to sad to angry smiles.

Multicultural Manners In School

 2/10/2013      

       In this video, it brings to my attention how the priority of education differs among cultures.  I do believe that the role of education does so happen to differ depending on their economic and financial situation. The woman in this video spoke about the Latin Americans and Mexican cultures. These cultures consider family obligations their top priority.
        As a future teacher, I believe it is important to be aware of and respect family traditions and or beliefs. By putting aside work for the student when they plan on leaving , which the student will have to have completed and bring back with them when they are done. Also I will prepare extra help for these students that are in need. As a future teacher it is important to me to have the family comfortable as well as the student, however the family must understand and come to an agreement that their child must do work on the go. Family is very important and so is a child's education.