Essay about Comparison of Japanese and American Cultures

COMPARISON OF JAPANESE AND AMERICAN CULTURES As Mahatma Gandhi said, â€Å"No culture can live, if it attempts to be exclusive† (Mahatma). Our culture identifies who we are and how we behave in social environments and provides us with a foundation in which to live our lives and raise our families. Each individual culture has certain customs and courtesies that are important. Exposure to the cultures of others can be intimidating and can leave a person feeling confused and unsure about how they fit in (Schaefer 60). Culture shock can leave a person feeling out of place in an unfamiliar culture (Schaefer 60). Our diverse societies demand understanding and acceptance of other cultures. Learning and understanding these cultures before being†¦show more content†¦Visits are generally arranged in advance and are very rarely spontaneous (Japan). When someone comes for a visit they must remove their shoes in the entry area of the home and place them together, pointing toward the outdoors; slippers are usually worn while inside (Japan). It is also customary to remove your coat prior to stepping into the entry area (Japan). Guests are usually modest and reserved when they are visiting and will be offered the most comfortable seat in the home (Japan). When offered a meal it is customary for the guest to hesitate slightly before accepting it and will then accept with gratitude (Japan). Guests do not usually offer compliments on household items, as this may embarrass the host (Japan). It is customary to bring fruit or cake to offer as a gift for the host which is given and accepted with both hands and a slight bow (Japan). It is considered rude for a host to open a gift from a visitor at the time it is given (Japan). Many of the customs followed by Americans come from the upbringing of the individual. As adults, Americans may form their own special customs that will be unique for their family. The greetings and visiting customs may vary from family to family, but generally most Americans have a simplistic approach. American greetings are generally informal. Men and women greet each other with a smile and a firm handshake (United States). Close friends and relatives will welcome each other with a hug or aShow MoreRelatedAmerican Comics And Japanese Manga1048 Words   |  5 PagesI. Abstract When mention comics, everyone can think of America comics and Japanese manga. They are two big parts of world comics and represent western and eastern comics. So they will have some differences in style, content and development. America comics is mainly about superheroes and reflects individualistic heroism. Japanese manga has many genres. II. Introduction Comics is a kind of medium that uses drawing and writing to tell a story. Cartooning is the most common mean in comics. ComicsRead MoreThe Second Hofstede Cultural Dimension Compared : Individualism Vs. Collectivism1643 Words   |  7 Pagesthemselves as individuals or associate themselves with a particular group. In Hofstede’s comparison of Japanese and American cultures, American culture scored relatively high (91) in the individualism dimension. On the contrary, the Japanese culture scored relatively low (46) which firmly categorizes the culture as Collectivist. To clarify, Americans places self over group (Individualist), whereas the Japanese value group over self (Collectivist). As it relates to Snap Fitness’s desire to open fitnessRead More Comparison of the North American and Japanese Educational Systems1744 Words   |  7 PagesComparison of the North American and Japanese Educational Systems The comparison between Japanese and North American educational systems is often used. The Japanese system, along with other Asian cultures, places importance on the group and the interdependence of its members (Cole Cole, 2001, p. 541). The North American model, in contrast, focuses on the ideals of individuality and independence (Cole Cole, 2001, p.541). This contrast is due to a conflicting cultural/social structure andRead MoreDifferences Between Japan And The United States1605 Words   |  7 PagesBusiness Culture and Ethics Between Japan and the United States Since Japan’s exit from isolation and entrance into global, cross cultural exchange, many aspects of the Japanese culture have been shaped and changed from their original traditionalism. Despite Western influence, however, Japan has been able to maintain a sense of cultural identity through unique practices that are rooted in the original culture. A prime example of this autonomy can be found when observing Japanese business culture andRead MoreThings Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe1341 Words   |  6 PagesNigeria’s white government and the culture of the Igbo people. Learning to Bow: Inside the Heart of Japan, by Bruce Feiler, covers Feiler’s journey to Japan to teach English and American culture for a year in the 1980’s. Throughout each novel, the reader is presented many different elements of each societies beliefs and culture. The central conflict surrounding each novel involves one unique, isolated, culture attempting to keep its traditions in a tim e where Western culture is demanding a change. ThingsRead MoreCulture And Causal Cognition, A Study Conducted By Ara Norensayan And Richard E.1057 Words   |  5 PagesCulture and Causal Cognition, a study conducted by Ara Norensayan and Richard E. Nisbett analyzes the differences of perception and cognition of two cultures; American and Eastern Asia. Each of the cross-cultural comparisons had pre-reviewed participants whom had similar demographic values and cognitive abilities in an attempt to control the attempted results with the only casual explanation being the cultural differences. The psychological phenomenon that the study centered around is the FAE, orRead MoreThe Japanese Criminal Justice System1203 Words   |  5 PagesFor some time now, the Japanese criminal justice system has been regarded or perceived to be a successful justice system model. The success is mainly attributed to Japan’s culture and even embedded in the language itself (Goold, 2004). The success has drawn interest among criminology scholars and practitioners either for the purpose of broadening their knowledge or to emulate its criminal justice system (Ebbe, 2000). The interest is based on statistical data that indicate low levels of criminalityRead MoreAmerican Culture Of People From Japan And Arab Countries910 Words   |  4 PagesFinal Essay In the United States many different nationalities and culture have come to reside by immigrating to this country. Although in the past being an immigrant in this country was often faced with hardship and discrimination the dream of a better and more promising future in America has always enticed people from places far and wide. Such has been the case with people from Japan and Arab countries. The differences in policies and treatment in the US varied, but their reasoning behind why theirRead MoreComparison of Another Culture1068 Words   |  5 PagesComparison of Another Culture Ronna Cassady NURS 321 Japan is a very respectful country and honors their elders. They will do what they are told without a doubt. They have an honor system and respect each other in many ways, as I will explain to you. Their food base is mainly from the sea, being that they are a bunch of scattered islands surrounded by the sea. The sea is basically a lifeline for them that is why their most popular servings are fish and rice. In Japan a greeting is a very bigRead MoreGuns, For Better Or For Worse887 Words   |  4 PagesGuns, for better or for worse, are a central part of many societies culture. Created in the 13th century, they have been around for an extremely long period of time. (Wikipedia). They revolutionized many aspects of life including hunting and how wars are fought. With the immense power guns offer, comes an immense danger and responsibility. It is up to each country to regulate the possession and usage of such dangerous and volatile objects. When in the wrong hands, they pose a threat to societies