Comments | rougedragon: I don't understand

rougedragon

I don't understand

Jan 17, 2007 18:00

I have noticed not only in myself, but the other Monash Uni students, that when we arrived, we were all happy and positive, but we've gradually turned cynical and upset. And I was discussing it with them today and they all agreed with me; that we'd turned into sour grapes ( Read more... )

Comments 10

roccondilrinon January 17 2007, 08:22:11 UTC

It's simple to understand. It's a culture of liars; hide your true feelings or be shunned. America is also a culture of liars. That said, although I wasn't there for nearly as long, I didn't encounter anything like this problem ( ... )

rougedragon January 17 2007, 08:37:44 UTC

i agree with assimilation for long periods (ie; immigration) as well, but for what I'm doing, I don't.

I don't know what I'm into anymore.

But yes, I think I am liking the artsy side and the history and language.I just hate the culture of every day society because it is the opposite of what I believe in and what I am.

rougedragon January 17 2007, 08:39:59 UTC

oh, but i do also believe in assisting and working with cultural differences as well. not just "BANG! be like us now!"

foxindocs January 17 2007, 11:44:53 UTC

"It's a very (immature) masculine viewpoint really..."

you know, i hadn't thought of it that way before, but you're right you know. it's very much the way 10 year old boys in western society interact with eachother.

lainex January 17 2007, 09:17:16 UTC

Mmm... I hate to say it, but I've had no problems on my part. Partly because I'm oblivious, as you know by now, and that the Chinese are also very conservative with their feelings. What I think the issue is, is that because Australian and Japanese culture are so different, it's necessary for the host families to explain -why- things are done in a certain way. However, this cannot be achieved without understanding one's own culture in contrast to another's.

Basically, when I arrived here, I figured I'll be on my own for the coming two months, and that I'd better get used to doing things on my own. You're probably -too- used to being an independent that it's difficult to retrain your habits to suit the lifestyle here. Am I making sense? >_>;;???

rougedragon January 17 2007, 09:24:10 UTC

yes, you make sense.

rougedragon January 17 2007, 09:26:40 UTC

oh, and the main reason for choosing my project topic that i did (differences in cultural values) is so that I can try and understand the cultural differences more. I just hope people are honest with me in my interviews tomorrow.

pelethetart January 17 2007, 15:50:10 UTC

I can tell you that I know Americans who have had tremendous issues there, and one who ended up coming home early.
She loved everything about it before she went and when she was there on vacation, and now, she doesn't even want to hear the language.
Her statement was that if she wanted to live in a place so fake and so cold, she'd go to an ice hotel.

Two of my friends were wrecks by the time they got home.

However, I also know someone who loved it, met his wife there wants to move there (but she wants to live here, even though she is having trouble assimilating here).

The major difference I have noticed overall is that the men I know seem to have an easier time than the women.
Have you noticed anything like that there?

(Americans are a culture of liars? That's harsh!)

roccondilrinon January 18 2007, 09:23:31 UTC

America is a culture of liars - but in a different way from the Japanese. Countries are like people. Japan is a little boy still on ADHD treatments and afraid of cooties. America is a belligerent teenager - similar but more dangerous. Canada is a woman in her thirties; France is a hippie; England is a sprightly grandfather. Iraq is the kid who everyone bullied and now has depression to the point of attempting suicide. Israel is the mild-mannered victim of a miscarriage of justice who comes out of prison the most hardened criminal, by virtue of his interactions with the other inmates. Mexico is the poor kid from the wrong side of town who wants to play with the other kids. China is the suspiciously fat and wealthy businessman. Australia is Jack Nicholson.

(Full credit to Douglas Adams for some of those comparisons. I cast no nasturtiums on any countries; the ones that aren't his just came to me now and even I'm not sure what they mean.)

angelus7 January 17 2007, 21:57:21 UTC

It reminds me a little bit of that episode of the Simpsons (sorry, I know I shouldn't...) where Marge wants Lisa to pretend to be happy so that she will fit in and everyone will know what a good mother she has. It ties in two or three things. It is about your "parent" not losing face (in this case your host mum and her culture). It is about being a good little girl, so nice and polite (similar to what Pele was saying about women having a harder time, I think because they are expected to be quiet and obedient, which occurs in many cultures). It is also about not rocking the boat and making others uncomfortable ( ... )