Thoughts to Ponder 1

React on this conversation:

Alice: I heard your son is getting married. Congratulations.
Fatima: Thank you. The wedding will be next spring.
Alice: How nice for you. How did they meet?
Fatima: Oh, they haven’t actually met.
This may serve as an illustration of a fixed marriage between two families. Some
families have a custom of planning their daughters' and sons' weddings among their
neighbors or friends. They believed that keeping close friendships will act as a deep
connection in their relationships with one another. This tradition is followed by many
nations worldwide. This practice has a long history in China, India, Korea, Japan,
Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The mentioned marriage is also referred to as a betrothal.
This arrangement is more complex because it might be attached to an unbreakable
vow. This practice is common among church congregations, and the majority of people
view it as "divine."

Thoughts to Ponder 3
Based on the discussion in Chapter 2, explain using situations the quote below:
“Meanings are in people.” By David K. Berlo (1960)
Every human being's behavior has purpose. Individuals are frequently misinterpreted for
a variety of reasons. Communication is the only way to discover someone's motivation.
Interpersonal and intrapersonal communication take place on two different levels.
Communication between individuals is referred to as intrapersonal communication. The
communication between two or more persons is referred to as interpersonal
communication.

Thoughts to Ponder 4
Based on the sample scenario in the Six Levels of Meaning, what do you think did
Sarah mean when she asked Kyle? Support your answer.
Since women rarely approach men or make the initial move, this may fall under the
category of General Theories Level: Self, Others, and the World. Kyle may benefit from
having a different point of view when a woman starts up a dialogue and even suggests
meeting for coffee. Because we don't know the two's relationship, Kyle might not feel
emotionally linked, so we can simply attribute it to the unusual situation of a woman
asking his friend, likely, who he may come to know in middle school, and just trying to
break the ice by having a simple discussion over coffee.
Thoughts to Ponder 5
Give concrete examples of Multicultural, Cross Cultural, and Intercultural.

 Multicultural communication: Cultural Diversity in the Philippines

Filipino Culture the Philippines has a very diversified culture. This is a result of our
country's colorful blending of several cultures. The Philippines' complicated past, which
resulted from the mixing of indigenous Pre-Hispanic Archipelago civilizations, reflects
the culture there. It is a nation with numerous ethnic groupings and more than a
hundred dialects. In addition to those, the culture is immensely diverse due to the
nation's archipelagic geography and its history. Every province in the nation celebrates
cuisines, folklore, and festivities in a superficial manner without engaging in serious
learning. Furthermore, it is acknowledged that members of many cultural groups coexist
side by side, occasionally apart from one another, as was the case with the Filipinos
from the beginning.
Source: https://dameandedimarmockingjay.wordpress.com/

 Cross-cultural communication: People from Malaysia are compared to Filipinos

There are misunderstandings and frequent confusion between the two definitions in the
Philippines. Malays are seen by Filipinos as being indigenous to Brunei, Indonesia,
Malaysia, and the Philippines. As a result, Filipinos mistakenly refer to the Malay race
when they identify as Malay. Malay and Tagalog appear to be complementary
languages at first appearance. There are various comparable words in both languages.
Because "mahal" (expensive) and "murah" (cheap) are the identical words in both
languages, arguing over costs was made simpler. The religious landscape in Malaysia
and the Philippines is one of the most significant cultural divides. In contrast to the
Philippines, where Catholicism is the dominant religion, Malaysia is predominately a
Muslim nation. In Malaysia, you'll note that people dress much more modestly, alcohol
is more expensive and harder to find, and PDAs are hardly ever used. And lastly, a
country that is most similar to the culture of the Philippines is Indonesia and Malaysia.
Source: https://jala.net/blog/story/66/is-tagalog-similar-to-malay

 Intercultural communication: business sector and road signs, particularly for

foreigners
The names of their products' labels are translated based on the language of the nation
where they will be advertised on the market by the majority of well-known companies in
the world. People will be able to appreciate what the product might offer and why they
have to get it, which may be beneficial for sales. However, when translating words
based on a particular country's language, some businesses must exercise caution
because the definitions of their target audiences may differ, particularly if the translated
phrase has a particular connotation in their language. Another illustration is the signage
found in hotels, shopping centers, airports, and other public places. Given that they
respect several nations' languages; this is a clear example of interculturalism. Once
they enter another country, foreigners will now find it simpler to perform simple tasks.
Source: https://www.frontsigns.com/blog/the-difference-of-world-traffic-signs/

Thoughts to Ponder 6:
Give examples of the Common Cultural Differences mentioned among cultures.
 Time - There are different times zones around the world. Additionally, while
Japanese prefer to do their activities one at a time, Americans are excellent
multitaskers.
 Space - Keep your distance when speaking with people in positions of authority.
 Face Saving - Some people are mindful of their eating habits and their skin care
regimen. Plastic surgery is accepted in some nations, such as Korea, but it is
taboo in the Philippines.
 Non-Verbal Communication - Each country has distinctive eye contact or hand
gestures. While in some regions of Asia and the Middle East eye contact might
be perceived as impolite or confrontational, in the west it denotes confidence.

Thoughts to Ponder 7:
Choose five areas in the questions about culture enumerated and answer them
elaborately.

 Family Structure
Who is considered to belong in the family?
Siblings may or may not count, but parents, spouses, and minor children are
generally always regarded as family members. Even when there is no biological
connection, adopted parents or kids are also regarded as direct relatives. It is unclear
how close relatives, including half-siblings and step-siblings, should be treated. Your
extended family would include any grandparents, grandchildren, cousins, uncles, aunts,
and other relatives.
What are the rights, roles and responsibilities of the members?
The father plays a number of roles in the family:
 Expressing affection and caring for the wife and kids.
 Giving the children moral guidance.
 Ensuring that the family has access to needs like food, shelter, and
clothing.
 Giving the kids access to a best education.
 Ensuring that his family is well in relation to his income.
 Security and safety. Father serves as the family's top security officer. He
sees to it that everyone in the family is protected from both personal and
societal threats.
The mother plays a number of roles within the household:
 Bearing and birthing a child.
 Preparing meals for the household.
 Keeping the surroundings and the house tidy.
 When required, providing financial support to the husband.
 Ensuring that children have a moral education.
 Preserving the family's tranquillity.
 Ensuring the family's good hygiene.
 Monitoring the homework of the kids.
In the household, the children play the following roles:
 Honoring the elders, particularly your parents.
 Helping with household chores, especially in the laundry, garden, and
cooking.
 Doing errands for the family's elderly people.
 Maintaining the family's positive traditions.
 Maintaining the family name.
 Preserving the family's good reputation while acting as good
representations of the family in public.

 Decorum and Discipline

How do people behave at home and in public?
People get along better at home and prevent problems by refraining from
undesirable conduct like talking back, expressing your responsibility to your parents,
and being attentive and caring. You occasionally display a close bond with your family
members while they are present. Expressing their love, caring, and affection.
People in public display a pattern of behavior that is expected of us. It is what
society anticipates, and we adapt as a result. We take a different strategy because the
situation is different. Because you engage with others while you are out in public, your
behavior is always different when you are at home. Even though you maintain some
space when you first meet someone you don't know, you should still treat people with
respect in public. Therefore, this explains why people behave differently in public.
What means of discipline are used?
Teaching your child what behaviors are appropriate and what behaviors are not
is the process of discipline. To put it another way, discipline educates a kid to abide by
the rules. Positive reinforcement, role modeling, and a caring and supporting family are
just a few of the many strategies used in effective discipline. Self-control comes from
having discipline. Either you are teaching children to behave correctly or you are
punishing and correcting them when you discipline children. The connotations of this
word nowadays can be greatly inferred from its etymology. Discipline gives people the
guidelines they need to lead productive lives. When you live a disciplined life, you may
sacrifice little things now for a better life afterwards. Discipline produces habits, which
produce routines, which produce everyday personas.

 Health and Hygiene

How are illness and death explained?
A person's self-identified ill health, frequently based on their personal
observations of mental or physical symptoms, is what is referred to as illness. This can
refer to serious health issues or sudden suffering in some instances, but it can also refer
to small or transient issues.
All biological processes that keep an organism alive come to a complete stop at
the moment of death. It can also be described as the complete and irreversible loss of
brain and brainstem function. Definitions of death occasionally include brain death.
How are specific illnesses treated?
Medical professionals cure diseases by using medication, therapy, surgery, and
other procedures to lessen their symptoms and impacts. These treatments occasionally
function as cures, or removal of the condition. Doctors, however, may favor using good
personal cleanliness to treat or prevent infections. Maintaining a clean environment and
consuming clean food and drink. Maintaining a clean environment and air is the
essential too.
  Dress and Personal Appearance
What significance does dress have for social identity?
Our social and personal identities are communicated by the way we are dressed.
It conveys our desires, emotions, and feelings as well as our sense of belonging to a
group. The traditions and cultural values of a country can be seen in the clothing, which
makes dressing an expression, image, and personality of that country. Since it is
impacted by societal habits and practices, clothing frequently cannot be separated from
the culture of a given society. Almost every culture places a great emphasis on clothing.
People start to transform their own cultures by adopting characteristics from other
civilizations when more and more cultures come into contact with one another. This
different factors to dressing.
What is the concept and value of beauty and attractiveness?
Personal attractiveness can be influenced by a variety of things, including how
you dress, behave, and carry yourself, as well as pretty tough factors like social
standing, money, race, and physical characteristics like size and shape. But when we
first meet someone, we focus on their face. In addition to having character and being
kind to oneself and others, beauty is power and self-confidence in the knowledge that
you are truly beautiful whether you wear makeup or not. The things that make you feel
attractive must also be a part of what makes something lovely.

 Pets and Animals

Which animals are valued and for what reasons?
Animals are fed and cared for by owners to maintain their wellbeing, longevity,
capacity for labor, and capacity for procreation. Their worth is acknowledged at
significant events like births, weddings, and deaths. Animals are valuable and are
utilized as currency and savings. The most probable animals to have a close
relationship with people and to be highly respected are dogs and cats. They require little
maintenance and will welcome your attention when the time comes. However, taking
care of and petting a dog can help prevent depression and lower stress. With the daily
walks, a dog will also help you stay healthy and active and may even improve your
social life. Furthermore, cats can perform some basic self-cleaning and don't need
special training or to be let out several times every day.
What animals are considered appropriate as pets? Inappropriate?
Dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, and, more recently,
hedgehogs are some examples of animals that might be thought of as pets. Horses,
ponies, donkeys, and mules are examples of pets that must be kept outside in farm
fields. Many other bug species are also maintained as pets. Petting not only activates a
neuron in an animal, but also in humans. One of the reasons animals want to be
touched is because it gives them a pleasant experience. They find it so attractive since
the sensation is connected to their hair follicles. As a result, these domesticated animals
are seen as suitable companions for people. However, it is inappropriate to refer to wild
animals like lions, tigers, snakes, wolves, crocodiles, and others as pets. Viruses,
venoms, and diseases that are hazardous or lethal to people can be carried by wild
animals. Because of some of their characteristics and actions that could endanger
people, they are challenging to bond to and consider as pets. As a result, many experts
don't demand or prohibit individuals from keeping wild animals as pets.
Thoughts to Ponder 8:
Share an experience you had with a foreign culture. Analyze based on the discovering
characteristics of other cultures pointers mentioned in this chapter.
When I was a member of the student board at my old school in 2018, I had this
experience. Every time some of our sister schools from other countries, like Japan,
come to visit and take a short holiday, our school hosts an event. It was an honor to
participate in the events that were planned by our school for them as I am a member of
the student board. Being with them and treating them like a foster sister is one of the
things we do. We are all in the same place, and I talk to some of them. Some of them
speak English fairly well, while others don't. Although there is a language barrier, it is
nevertheless possible to experience the Japanese culture in action. I was rather taken
aback when they presented us with gifts made in their country and said that it was
traditional for them to present gifts to those who welcome them. I am aware that we also
follow this practice, in which both the hosts and the guests exchange gifts with each
other. I was therefore surprised to learn that Japan too upholds that standard of
morality. I notice that the Japanese are not overly loud, a little bit bashful, but they listen
well as I communicate with them. Similar to how we see in some Korean dramas when
two individuals who are not likely to be close show some respect and small distance
when they are conversing, they have this show of respect when they are speaking with
others. However, I was moved by how they listened and appeared to be paying
attention to the person speaking since I observed that they did not cut the speaker off in
the middle of their sentence. And with that, I appreciate them. They quickly adopt our
environment, yet they continue to behave ethically while they are not at home by adding
Japanese values.