BLESSED CHRISTIAN SCHOOL DE STA. ROSA, INC.
Main: East Drive Village, Pooc, Sta. Rosa City
Annex: Rizal Blvd., Balibago, Sta. Rosa City
Understanding Culture, Society
and Politics
Module for Class Simulation
/Dry Run
Grade 11 - ABM
Prepared by: Angelyn E. Lingatong
Handout #1 Introduction to Culture
Motivation: Share your ideas about the following quotations below.
1.
NO ONE IS EXACTLY LIKE ME.”
2.
“WE HAVE SOMETHINGIN COMMON.”
Unit 1: Introduction to Culture
What is culture? The word culture is used frequently, and not just by language teachers or cultural specialists.
Pretty much everyone feels comfortable using the term. But how can we define it? I invite you to try right now to define
the term culture. If you're listening to this as a sound or video file, press pause and try to put into words what culture
means. If you're reading, set this text aside while you try to define culture.
Self-Reflection Activity: Give yourself at least 5 minutes to write a definition for the word culture. Then complete
the statement:
CULTURE IS __________________________________________________________________________
…How did it go? What does your definition include? When you start really thinking about culture, you realize
that it includes or at least influences nearly everything in the human experience. Anthropologist John H. Bodley defined
culture as, "what people think, make, and do" (1994, p. 22). This broad definition has been developed in further detail by
what is called the 3P model of culture (Frank, 2014). The 3P's are perspectives, practices, and products. Let us look at
each of these.
Perspectives describe "what members of a culture think, feel, and value" (Frank, 2014, p. 3). This includes ideas
about what is important in life, and beliefs about how younger people should relate to older members of society.
Perspectives define what members of a particular culture consider appropriate and inappropriate behavior.
Perspectives shape practices. Practices include the traditions and typical behaviors in a culture. The way people
communicate can differ greatly from one culture to another, not just in terms of language but also what people talk
about; with whom; how direct they are when communicating; the gestures they use; their use of eye contact; etc.
Practices include other behaviors as well, from the formal – for example wedding ceremony traditions – to the informal,
such as how people dress and eat on a day-to-day basis.
Food is often the first cultural product that people think of when they think about another culture. The special
foods associated with a particular culture are often the first thing someone unfamiliar with the culture learns about it.
Other cultural products include clothing, music, and literature,hundreds of years is a very strong tradition. Culture is not
static, however. On the contrary, culture is dynamic. A culture's perspectives, practices, and products can change over
time. As we will discuss in later modules, this is particularly likely when there is contact between cultures.
Culture is strengthened through its expression. The more people engage in the traditions and ways of living of
their culture, the more that culture's perspectives, practices, and products are reinforced. A tradition that has been
practiced for hundreds of years is a very strong tradition. Culture is not static, however. On the contrary, culture is
dynamic. A culture's perspectives, practices, and products can change over time. As we will discuss in later modules, this
is particularly likely when there is contact between cultures.
In today’s globalized world, most people have encounters with members of other cultures, and for many people,
this is on a regular basis. These encounters happen in social, political, and commercial contexts. It is therefore important
for people, in all areas of their lives, to be able to interact successfully with people who are from cultures that are
different from theirs. This ability is called intercultural competence. Intercultural competence is needed for people from
different cultures – with their different values, practices, and ways of communicating – to avoid conflict and
misunderstanding. Intercultural competence requires people to be flexible in their thinking and to recognize that people
are complex. To see people in ways that are simple and not complex is to stereotype people.
Intercultural competence is not an all-or-nothing ability. People have different levels of intercultural
competence, among themselves, and from context to context. People’s intercultural competence will be more or less
effective depending on their familiarity with the particular culture they are encountering and the particular stereotypes
that they may believe.
No one can be completely prepared for all the intercultural experiences they will have in the future, and so
intercultural competence requires flexibility. It requires the ability to think critically about differences. Critical thinking is
also necessary to negotiate differences and use strategies to minimize conflict and misunderstandings.
A necessary step in developing intercultural competence is to have a very clear understanding of oneself as a
cultural being. That is, we need to understand what our own culture is and how it affects us day to day.
The development of intercultural competence is an ongoing process; it never ends. In many activities in this
course, we will explore our own cultural perspectives, as well as other cultural perspectives. This will put us in an
excellent position to help our students go through a similar process.
REFERENCE:
World Learning. (2018). Introduction to culture. In “Integrating Critical Thinking Skills into the Exploration of Culture in
an EFL Setting" [MOOC].
REVIEW: After the discussion about culture, now is the time to define culture based on what you have learn. Complete
the phrase:
CULTURE IS_________________________________________________________________
Test your Knowledge:
TRUE OR FALSE: Read the following statements below. Write TRUE if the statement is correct, and write FALSE if the
statement is incorrect.
____________1.Perspective shapes practices.
____________2. Culture is static.
____________3. Culture is based on human experiences alone.
____________4. Food is the first cultural product that people think of if you ask about culture.
____________5. Possessing intercultural competence means you have deeper and flexible understanding about culture.
Assignment:
Answer “define your own culture” activity sheet.
Read “Article about Unique Cultures Around the World .”
NAME:___________________________________ DATE:___________________
YEAR AND SECTION:______________________
Assignment: Defining Culture
Activity 1: Everyone Has a Culture—Everyone Is Different
Directions: Write one sentence or phrase about each topic. Then rate each item
from 1-10 (1 is most important) according to what value this topic has in your culture.
Rank
_____ What language(s) do you speak?
_____ What is your religion?
_____ What music do you listen to?
_____ What dances do you know?
_____ What foods do you eat at home?
_____ What do you wear on special occasions?
_____ What holidays and ceremonies are important?
_____ What is most important to you?
_____ What things do you believe are right and wrong?
_____ How important is your extended family?
The name of my culture is ____________________________.
0 “UNIQUE” Cultural Traditions Around the World
by BERNADINE RACOMA- ,DECEMBER 11, 2018
Each society in the world has its own cultural traditions that identify their heritage and makes them
uniquely different. But some people, especially those new to a foreign country expect the locals to act and
behave as they do.
Like language, cultural traditions identify a person’s heritage. Cultural traditions and customs are
ingrained in a person. They are practices and beliefs that are learned since birth. Thus, people from another
country should not think that what they consider sensible and polite behavior, facial expressions, hand
gestures and cultural practices in their country are perceived similarly in another.
Unique cultural traditions around the world
In order not to be considered disrespectful or rude when you’re visiting another country, learn some of
the unique cultural traditions and customs around the world.
1. Choose the flowers you give to a Russian
If you have Russian business associates or friends, be careful of the flowers you give them. Avoid flowers with
yellow colors as they represent a break-up of a relationship or deceit. Red carnations are taboo as well because
these are flowers presented to veterans who survived the war and on the graves of those who have left this
earth.
2. Be careful of what you give to Chinese colleagues
While China has opened its doors to the West, the cultural traditions of the Chinese will never be erased. They
are one of the oldest civilizations in the world, so you have to understand that their cultural traditions were
developed for millennia and handed down from generation to generation. Majority of the Chinese are
superstitious as well and attach meanings to various things. When presenting your Chinese friends with
flowers, avoid using white, which they associate with ghosts and death. In the United States, white flowers
symbolize innocence and purity. Likewise, avoid flowers with thorny stems. Other things that are not good
gifts for the Chinese are:
Clock. Its name in Chinese (sòng zhōng, meaning send clock) sounds like sòng zhōng or funeral rite. It is also
taken to mean that time is running out, or life and relationship can end.
Handkerchief .–In Chinese, it sounds like a farewell greeting.
Umbrella. Offering or giving your Chinese friend or colleague an umbrella is a subtle hint of ending a
relationship. You can share your umbrella but you have to take it back with you.
Gifts that come in sets of four. The number 4 is associated with death.
Straw sandals, shoes. It is also taken to mean that you want to part ways.
Green hat. Green is considered lucky by other people because it is the color of money. For the Chinese
however, a green hat means that the wife is being unfaithful.
3. Don’t ask for salt when dining in Egypt
In many cultures, like the United States, it is all right to ask for salt to add to your food. But if you are dining
with friends and colleagues in Egypt, keep in mind to avoid asking for salt. It is taken as an insult to the host,
as Egyptians take it to mean that you are repulsed by the taste of the meal served to you.
4. A question of being punctual
The value of being on time depends on the country. In Venezuela, it is actually a norm to arrive about 10 to 15
minutes late for a dinner invitation. Being early for the Venezuelans means the person is either overly eager or
greedy. Americans are a stickler for punctuality, just like the Germans, South Koreans and the Japanese. It’s
incredible how in Malaysia, being five minutes late (which can actually extend to 60 minutes)
is acceptable and you do not need to apologize, too. What’s extreme is how meeting at the exact time is
immaterial in Morocco, where it is totally all right to be late for an hour or an entire day! It’s fine for the
Chinese if you are late for 10 minutes while Mexicans and Greeks will excuse you if you arrive 30 minutes after
the appointed time.
5. Mind your table manners in Norway
In some cultures, it is acceptable to eat food with your bare hands. But as etiquette would have it, it is often
required that you use utensils such as a spoon and fork, chopsticks, or spoon, knife and fork when having a
meal. Be sure to brush up on how to eat with a knife and fork before you travel to Norway. In this
Scandinavian country, even sandwiches are eaten using a fork and a knife.
6. “No” to sharp objects
The cultural traditions of the Netherlands and China are vastly different. But in one thing, they are very
similar and that is in the receiving gifts that are pointed and sharp, such as scissors and kitchen knives. Do not
forget this – giving pointed and sharp objects to your friends or colleagues in the Netherlands (and in China) is
a big no-no. For the Dutch, sharp objects are considered unlucky gifts, while for the Chinese, it means you
want to break or cut ties with them.
7. Losing a tooth in Greece
For many cultures, children are told to keep their baby teeth under their pillow and the Tooth Fairy will give
them money in exchange for their teeth. But Greek children are told to toss their tooth onto their roofs. The
cultural tradition is meant for the child to have a healthy tooth as well as good luck to the family.
8. Say cheers but don’t clink glasses in Hungary
It’s almost customary when sharing a drink especially when there is a celebration to say cheers and clink your
glasses. But the traditional practice is not done in Hungary. You see, Hungarian forces were severely and
savagely defeated during their war with Austria in 1849 and they witnessed Austrian generals celebrating the
occasion by drinking beer and clinking their glasses. Hungarians swore not to clink their glasses when having
a drink for 150 years. The vow ended in 1999 but a majority of Hungarians continues the cultural tradition.
9. Choose the right occasion to discuss business in Bolivia
If you are in Bolivia to discuss business and your time is limited, it will still be considered rude to discuss
business during a dinner party or any social occasion. Bolivians believe that a dinner is for improving personal
relationships. If you are invited to a business lunch or dinner, do not bring up the topic of business on the
table, unless your Bolivian host is the first to bring it up. Otherwise, simply savor the meal and foster better
relations with your Bolivian host by talking about family.
10. Don’t try to ”go Dutch” in Turkey
In some cultures, it is acceptable to split the meal tab even if the lunch or dinner is given in your honor, but
this is not acceptable when you are in Turkey. Offering to pay for half of the meal is considered polite, but
your host will be offended if you insist. It is all right to reciprocate by inviting your host to a follow-up meal so
you can have your turn to pay for the lunch or dinner.
11. Avoid using red ink for writing names of your friends in South Korea
Pen inks come in a wide array of colors and sometimes it is fun to use them to make colorful doodles,
drawings and whatever. For some people, it does not matter what ink color you use to write their names with,
as long as their names are spelled correctly. For South Koreans however, you can use other
colors except red because for them red ink symbolizes death.
12. A trip to the sauna in Finland
For many people, going to the sauna is a personal thing. A trip to the sauna is a favorable way to relieve stress
and relax. It is also one way to socialize. The Finns think the same way, but if your business client or
counterpart invites you to the sauna after your meeting, do not be alarmed. This means that your business
meeting is successful.
13. Where do you sit when taking a taxi?
In movies and pictures, it is customary to see people taking a ride in a taxicab sitting in the back of the vehicle.
Your Etiquette 101 class might have taught you that it is the proper way to ride a taxi if you are the only one in
it. But in Australia, it is considered snobbish to sit at the back. Australians often sit in front with the taxi driver.
14. Greeting a magpie on its own in the UK
In many parts of the United Kingdom, it is customary for people to greet a lone magpie to avoid having bad
luck.
15. Birthday greetings in the Netherlands
You would not feel lonely when you celebrate your birthday in the Netherlands. In this country, it is a
tradition to greet the person celebrating the birthday as well as the person’s family and other relatives.
16. Greeting people in Japan and Germany
When you’re in Germany and invited to a gathering, it is a tradition to shake hands with everyone in the room.
You even have to shake the hands of children present. Greeting and thanking someone in Japan involves
bowing. The depth of the bow depends on the social status or age of the person you are greeting. Giving a
person a kiss on the cheek is a customary greeting in Argentina. It is customary for friends in Brazil to
exchange around three cheek kisses. In France, the cultural tradition of giving a kiss on the cheek depends on
the region. In Brest, it is acceptable to give a person a kiss on one cheek. In Toulouse, you can kiss both cheeks.
In Nantes however, it’s all right to give four kisses on the cheeks.
17. Finger-pulling in Austria
You might wonder when you see Austrian men engaged in finger-pulling. It is actually a serious traditional
sport and the rules of the game are quite strict. The game is called Fingerhakeln (finger-pulling), which is like a
mini version of tug-of-war. The objective is the same, to drag the opponent by the finger across the table.
Bavaria also plays this sport.
18. The dangers of remaining single after age 25
In some cultures, it is a tradition for families to marry off their children at a very young age. In several modern
countries where people have more freedom, it is up to them to decide if they want to marry or not and at what
age. But in some countries, friends and families can be “cruel.” In Germany for example, a person who’s still
single at age 25 is showered by friends with cinnamon powder throughout the day. It is worse if the person is
still single at 30 because they use pepper instead. In France, people buy funny hats for their 25-year old single
friends on November 25, which is Saint Catherine’s Day. In Germany, when a person reaches 25 and is still
single, friends will string socks from the celebrant’s home to the birthday party venue, with stops after a few
socks while friends encourage the birthday celebrant to have a drink.
19. Shoving your face on your birthday cake
In live action and animated films, shoving one’s face onto a birthday cake elicits a laugh. Some do it as a joke
and some do it out of disgust or anger. But in Mexico it is a cultural tradition, so the birthday celebrant does
not have any reason to get angry. It even follows a process. The cake is brought out and presented to the
person celebrating the birthday. Guests sing the birthday song and the candle is blown. The birthday girl or
boy takes a bite of the cake and as expected, someone will definitely shove her or his face on the cake.
20. Wife-carrying is a competitive sport in Finland
Who would believe that carrying your wife would be considered a sport? In Finland, wife-carrying
or eukonkanto in Finnish is even an endorsed sport and couples from other countries travel each year to
Sonkajarvi to participate in the activity that started in the 19th century. Since 1992, it has been called the Wife
Carrying World Championships. The prize is beer, with the amount corresponding to the weight of the wife.
Since 2005, the game has been held in other countries, such as Australia, United States, United Kingdom and
Asia.
ACTIVITY: Write a reaction essay about what you have read in the article .What are the things that amaze you
the most about this cultures? Does it have any resemblance with our own culture?
Minimum of 350 words. BE GUIDED on the grading rubrics below.
HANDOUT 2: Intercultural Encounters (Exercises)
A. Motivation:Review
Directions:Read the question and answer it based on what you have read in the given assigned article reading.
What is the most fascinating thing that you have learn in reading the article 20 Unique Cultures of the
World?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
[Link]: Guess the unique Philippine cultural traditions. Write your answer on the space provided.
________________1. What do we celebrate this month of August?
________________2.This refer to the spirit of communal unity, work and cooperation, work together to
achieve a particular goal.
________________3.A very famous annual religious and cultural festival in Cebu,where they celebrate in
commemoration of the birth of Christianity in the country.
________________4. A customary greetings among Filipino youth, taking the older relative’s hand and placing
it on his/her forehead to express profound respect for the elderly.
_______________5. It is known as the “bloodless revolution” in Philippine history and marked the end of
Marcos Regime.
[Link]: After reading the lecture what have you realize about culture ?Did you have experience in your
life that shows an intercultural encounter? Explain briefly.
[Link]: Kindly give one word about what you have learn about this lesson.
