This chapter on Intercultural Communication was different to me. I agree with parts of it and really disagree with others, I know these are my own bias coming into play. I was raised to adapt to the scenario that I am placed in, so if I was to go to Japan I would work to try to follow all of their customs, and would not expect any of mine to be catered to. In my family that was respect. The same thing applies to going to a friends home, follow their rules since it is not my space. I think this is where the idea of the guest comes into my own upbringing. The guest works to understand and gain knowledge about a new culture, by focusing on it and not oneself. I personally think that this is the proper role to take when encountering new cultures, because of my culture. I am not quite sure if that makes me a stranger though, since there is a focus on following my culture even when within another. But the example of going to a friends house is a good one for this.
The friend and their family are the indwellers in the situation, they know all of the customs both spoken and inarticulate. Coming into the home I have to chose to either be a stranger or a guest, by deciding to adapt to their rules and customs or to focus on how to get the needs of mine fulfilled. This may not be the giant intercultural exchanges we have, but it is one none the less, since the cultures vary from home to home. Does one wear shoes? Do you need to say sir and ma'am? Are certain topics open or closed? All of these questions are the same ones a person would face going to another country. Which makes this topic very important since we have to navigate the issues everyday.
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