In our Emirati culture we have many cultural dimensions. Our first culture dimension is that, I and the other citizens are high context, we communicate with each other easily, trust each other because of the old tradition that we learned from our grandparents. The second cultural dimension is that we are collectivism. The third one is that we are a low power distance, where we can give and get from our leaders. Furthermore, Emirati citizens are all equal to each other such as employees, managers, and leaders. In UAE, there is high uncertainty avoidance, while compared to Jamaica and Singapore which are the two lowest countries in uncertainty avoidance. Finally, we as the Emiraties we are social orientation, like we do everything in a group because of the laziness of us that we cannot work alone, also we stick together as a one family.
Exercise #8c (extra): Fill in the answers from the film, Outsourced.
Reflection - For #8c
Create a reflection about the movie Outsourced using the sheets I give you. Show that you really understand the above cultural concepts by answering the following questions: (short answers OK)
1. As soon as Todd arrives, he experiences the discomfort of being disoriented in a
strange new place. What happens at the airport?
--His name wasn't written correct, so he took a taxi.
2. When a friendly traveler helps him get on the train, what does he tell him to do?
-He told him to jump into the train.
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?
-The kid gave Todd a space, it’s a solution that kids in India respects grownups.
4. As any exchange student, he has a lot of experiences trying new food. His first
encounter is with an iced drink. What happens?
- He’s suffered from a bad stomach ache .
5. First encounters with a culture can be shocking – Todd sees crowded streets with
cows, noise, and a man urinating in the street. But how does his host describe the
city?
-As a very clean and nice city.
6. Even though the host Puro speaks English, Todd uses American slang a lot
without thinking. So as not to insult Puro, what does he say the meaning of
Schmuck is?
-Very nice guy.
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?
-He wants to be lonely.
8. As soon as they meet, Aunti Ji starts asking very intimate questions that
Americans who have just met would never ask. What kind of things does she ask?
-Are you married, do you have a girlfriend?
9. During his first conversation with Aunti Ji he makes two big mistakes. What are
they?
-He was eating with his left hand.
10. The Golden Rule says do unto others as you would have them do unto you. That
means his Indian hosts and friends are trying to make him comfortable the way
they would be comfortable. How does this apply when the servant is preparing
tea for Todd?
-Extra for everything.
11. How does Todd figure out why one does not eat food with the left hand?
-As he goes to the bathroom he uses his left hand to clean.
12. What is ethnocentric about his statement "You need to learn about America"?
- He thought that Americans are better than Indians.
13. Why do they disagree on how a "native" speaks English?
-Because Todd wants the employees to use the American accent so they can have a proper conversation with the costumer without any misunderstanding.
14. What doesn't Todd understand about the Indians' response to the "cattle brand"?
-He was talking without knowing people in India and cows are consider as holy and they don’t eat beef.
15. What is Todd's reaction to "You need to learn about India"? What stage of culture
shock might it represent?
-He was confused about the Indian cultural and he was embarrassed.
16. He calls home several times. Why? What stage of culture shock might provoke
calls home?
- Because he wanted to finish his job and go back to America and he didn’t adapt the lifestyle in India.
17. What mistakes in language usage are represented in the recording of the call about
"a rubber"?
-That rubber means condom in America.
18. Why is he so eager to go to McDonnells?
-He wants to eat a cheeseburger.
19. Todd doesn't understand bargaining. How does the Indian respond to this?
-He keeps on decreasing the price.
20. What does I.N.D.I.A. stand for?
-I’ll Never Do It Again.
21. What advise does his fellow American have for him?
-Just give in.
22. When Todd develops the incentive system, he has begun to adapt to India. How
has he adapted?
-By celebrating the holy day which was a color festival.
23. When he looks at the cow in the office the second time, why is his reaction so
different?
-Because he has begun to adapt to india.
24. Explain the difference between American and Indian cultures when Todd and
Puro discuss how often he visits his family and why he doesn't live with them.
-American family each lives separately from each other and rarely they visit or see each other, while Indians they live with each other visit them everytime.
25. What cultural values are involved in the exchange between Aunti Ji and Todd
about ironing his underwear?
-Indian irons every clothing, while in America they don’t iron Todd’s underwear.
26. How well does Todd handle himself when he is invited over the wall to an Indian
home for a meal?
-He sat with them and he pretended he’s one of the family.
27. In what ways does he show he has adapted?
-He ate in the same way they hate, the Indian lady was happy from him.
28. When the call center floods and they are shut down, Todd finds an "Indian"
solution. What is it?
-He brought the Indian friend to help with the electric connections.
29. When Todd comes home, there are several signs that his Indian experience has
influenced him. Name three ways he has become more "Indian".
-He called his family to visit them.
-He adapted the Indian cultural.
-And he has the third eye that will look after him.
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