10/24/17; Lesson 07: Response to “Differences in Manners”

Being polite might seem easy. But after seeing “Differences in Manners” video and reading about the manners in various countries, you find out that all depends on your location. Manners are different all over the world. Manners can differ from region to region, from neighborhood to neighborhood. Sometimes, the same sign has different meanings in different countries.

I searched the Internet and read the article “Modern Etiquette: Different cultures have different greetings.” (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-etiquette-olympics-cultures/modern-etiquette-different-cultures-have-different-greetings-idUSBRE87519320120806 )

The article offers information about greetings in different countries. People in most Asian countries are not comfortable with physical contact. It is not a good thing to initiate handshake when you want to start a friendship with an Asian person. In Japan, the bow is the customary greeting. But most Latins are more accustomed with physical contact.

Smiling is a gesture of friendliness in almost entire world. It is considered as such in America, but in some Latin cultures, the smile might be used to say “Excuse me” or “Please.” And, in some Asian cultures, smiling is a gesture used for informal occasions. An Asian person does not smile while being formally introduce because it would be considered disrespectful. Some of the manners I read resemble with those in Romania. For example, Romanians smile when introduced to someone in informal setting, but they do not smile in formal circumstances.

Readings on this topic, Manners in various cultures, help me to have a broader image of how a multicultural class might be. Knowledge about the differences in manners in different cultures and countries helps teachers to understand their students’ reactions and behaviors and find out ways to foster cross-cultural understanding in the classroom.  For example, a student from Asia is asked a question, but he does not answer; instead, he smiles. In Romania, this would be considered defiance. A teacher knowing that the smile means confusion in this case, will have an approach appropriate to the moment.

Sharing the knowledge with the students, as professor Ivers did in his videos, and offering them explanations will help and encourage students to be more inclusive and friendly to each other.