On Friday, we discussed about what is the difference between our own country’s culture and American culture and found a lot of differences. Firstly, Depending on countries, people’s favorite sports are really different. In the movie which is “Happy Gilmore”, He used to be an ice hockey player then finally I became a golf player. Due to the fact, we realized that ice hockey and golf are one of the most interesting sports in the US. However, almost all students in our class mentioned that the both are not popular except Russians. For example, people in the US, Canada and Russia are really into Ice Hockey. Thus, we understood that sports are related with country’s culture geographically. Secondly, it is true that the way to respect elderly people is completely different each country. In the movie, we also watched Happy Gilmore’s behavior that he tends to fight with older people and abuse everyone when he was upset. On the other hand, people in Asia usually look up to elderly people, especially in Korea.
As a result, we are now able to find a lot of different American cultures such as sports and respect for the elderly, but I am still wondering why some countries should respect old people or other countries do not need to look up to them. I think it is hard to understand culture, but is really interesting to experience. Therefore, I believe that I am looking forward to something happening to me because of different culture.
Great questions, Sun. I don't want to pretend that I know all the answers, but I have also thought about these questions a bit and here is what I have concluded:
ReplyDeleteFirst, I think it's not that some countries or culture's DON'T respect or do not need to look up to the elderly. I think in most countries/cultures, if you asked a person a specific question about that subject (e.g., "do you think it is important to respect your elders?"), he or she would probably say yes. However, I think certain countries/cultures have different PRIORITIES and place more (or less) importance on certain things (e.g. respecting your elders).
While an American person might say (and might also truly believe) that it is important to respect the elderly, that same person might say and believe that it is MORE important or JUST AS important to respect oneself and one's own goals/interests as it is to respect the elderly. So to me, it's more a question of different perspectives than of different values. But that's just my two sense.
What do the rest of you think?
wow~ i am amazed what you said because they do not look like respecting elderly people. it is really helpful to understand foreigner's opinion as i thought that it is impolite to ask about that. I am now thinking that it seems that Korean respect the elderly too much even though they get stressed when they help them because they do not behave sincerely.
ReplyDeleteHmmm....kind of interesting. American mind seems very rational. Sometimes I feel that rational mind of America is more convenient when I was embarrassed due to the trouble with older people. Some of Korean people tend to dominate something abusing of culture to respect older people. Nevertheless, I still feel bad when I see young people threat old people resrespectfully.
ReplyDelete