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Part Four Knowledge into action

Chapter Ten: Accepting Differences and appreciating similarities: A point of view

教学要点：

A philosophy of change

? The belief that improvement in inter-cultural communication is possible is based on two assumptions:

1. The brain is an open system 2. We have free choice

Potential problems in inter-cultural communication

? Avoidance of the unfamiliar, the desire to reduce uncertainty, diversity in communication purposes, stereotyping and prejudice, misuse of power, culture shock and ethno-centrism are major barriers to inter-cultural communication.

Improving inter-cultural communication

? Following some basic guidelines such as knowing yourself, considering the physical and human setting, seeking a shared code, developing empathy, encouraging feedback and learning about cultural adaptation can help improve inter-cultural communication.

Explain the following sentences in English, paying attention to the idioms (见课本257页)

It’s not surprising the guy couldn’t get to first base with his new business: he started with two strikes against him.

In baseball, if a batter has three strikes against him he is out. This means the ball is pitched to him three times and he misses it three times. So if a man goes into business with two strikes against him, it will be difficult for him to succeed.

2. Let’s put this plan to the acid test by looking at the nuts and bolts of the deal.

\not by testing it really hard. \looking at all the detail. Someone has a big idea, but he must at some time \

3. If we stop beating heads against a brick wall, we would not appear to be such wimps.

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\when it is clear there will be no chance of success. For example: Men trying to take her to dinner are beating their heads against a brick wall.

4. We need to be careful that the tail doesn’t wag the dog.

\We need to be careful that the small details do not change the big decision.\happens.

5. Do not listen to John---------he’s got an ax to grind. John is protecting or helping his own personal interests.

6. She’s not the least bit funny----------in fact, she’s laid an egg. In fact she's laid an egg means her attempt at humour has failed.

7. John dropped the ball on this one, and he’s sure ticked off.

\

8. If you think we are on the same wavelength, just give me a buzz, or we can play it by ear.

\“Give me a buzz” means give me a ring. \plan what we do, we just let things happen as they may.

9. We need to stop dilly-dallying and get off the dime.

\dilly-dallying\must start moving forward. A dime is an American coin, this must be an American expression.

Communication Analysis: Case 1

I have an American friend. I have invited him several times，and at long last he invited

me to his home one day. He told me to get there at 3 pm. I thought we could chat and have a meal together. I gave him a Chinese calendar，a man’s tie and a bottle of Chinese white wine. He only took out a dish of nuts，a plate of bread and a bottle of wine. After two hours chat，I found there was no hint of a meal and said good—bye to him. He only gave me a box of chocolate as a present for the New Year. After I got home，I found the box had already been opened. I was Very surprised. Question ：What surprised me?

Answer:

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1)In China，a visit to home always includes a meal．And the guest always brings a relatively rich present to the host．And the present should be well wrapped or untouched．

2)In the west，a visit to home only means a meeting，not necessarily including a meal．And the present is treated not as importantly as it is in China．

3)I acted in a way that was based on Chinese customs，So I felt the American way was very interesting(unusual)．

Case 2

Lin had traveled 20 hours from Beijing to New York. He needed a good meal. His American friend，Mike，met him. But Mike only offered him a plate of roasted chicken and a glass of orange juice. Lin was used to having a main course，and asked Mike if he had any rice. Mike said he only had fried noodles，and Lin had to make do with it. Though Lin knew Americans didn’t care very much about what food they ate，he still felt surprised because he had taken Mike to the most famous duck restaurant in Beijing, Quanjude, when he arrived in Beijing.

Question：

Why did Lin feel surprised? Offer some advice to him about adjusting to his new environment in America.

Answer:

1)On the topic of hospitality，the Chinese stress is on warmth and demonstrating friendship．They take the guest to a famous or luxurious restaurant to have a very good (expensive) meal to show their hospitality．And the Chinese are used to having a big meal. The more dishes they put out，the greater the warmth and friendship they show.

2)In western countries，people stress on freedom．They give the guest great freedom to choose their own foods． And westerners tend to have only one main course and some juice or dessert，which is viewed as casual in the eyes of the Chinese．[Note ! If the student answers that Western people have only three courses，this is also correct!]

3)Lin lived in American surroundings and should have adjusted himself quickly to the new world(1ifestyle)．He should have known the custom there first，and felt more at ease in Mike’s home．

Case 3

When Zhang Tao traveled in America，he lived in the home of his American friend，Bill.0nce after he had traveled back，he found Bill was in a bad mood. When he asked what the problem was，Bill told Zhang

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Tao that his son Adam got furious about the noise Zhang made when walking upstairs and also because he was using too much water in the solar powered shower and Adam had to have his shower in cold water. Bill told Zhang Tao that he should walk more softly in future，and have a fast shower to save water. Zhang Tao felt uneasy. How could the host set such rules for his guest!

Question：Why did Zhang Tao feel uneasy?

Answer: 1)In China，when people host someone，they put the guest in the place of honor to show hospitality．They try to take care of the guest，and try to make the guest feel comfortable and at ease．

2)In America，people tend to give the guest great freedom and treat a guest more casually，naturally and truthfully.

3)Zhang Tao knew he was a guest，and thought in terms of Chinese expectations of hospitality．He thought Bill should treat him courteously instead of setting rules for him

4)Since Zhang Tao lived in American surroundings，he should have known about the customs there sooner．

Case 4

Li Gang is a new Chinese student in an American university. He is very glad that one of his classmates, Peter, invites him to see a film one day. Li Gang goes to the cinema on time. When he gets there, Peter is waiting for him. Peter says, \your ticket.\

Question: Why does Li Gang get Surprised?

Answer:

1)In China, if somebody invites you to see a film, he will buy the ticket for you.

2)In America, invitation is very common. And people are used to paying individually.

3)Li Gang hasn't got used to this yet. He thought that Peter would buy the ticket for him.

Case 5

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Mrs. Chen has just moved to America. Her husband is a guest professor there. She finds that a car is very necessary in America, so she decides to buy one. After she has chosen a suitable car, she takes out the cash to pay. The salesman is very glad and surprised, \Chen gets confused.

Question: Why does Mrs. Chen get confused? Answer:

1)In China, people are used to paying in cash, especially in daily life.

2)Chinese people consume within their consumptive capability.

3)The Americans are used to paying in check or credit card. And they like consuming in advance. But the merchants prefer to have cash.

Case 6

Sarah and Daniel are a young American couple who are teaching English at Zhejiang University. They are leaning Chinese and enjoy their new lives. They have been eager to get to know Chinese people better so were pleased when Chen' Li, their new Chinese colleague invited them to her home for dinner at one weekend. When Sarah and Daniel arrived, Chen Li introduced them to her husband Wang Bing, asked them to sit down at a table containing 8 plates of various cold dishes served them tea and then disappeared with her husband into the kitchen. Sarah offered to help in the kitchen but Chen Li said she didn't need any help.

A half-hour later she came back and sat down and the three began to eat. Wang Bing came in from time to time to put several hot dishes on the table. Most of the food was wonderful and there was much more than Sarah and Daniel could eat. They wanted Wang Bing to sit down so that they could talk to him. Finally he did sit down and ate a bit, but quickly he turned on the TV to show them high tech features. Soon it was time for Sarah and Daniel to go home.

Sarah and Daniel felt slightly depressed by this experience, but returned the invitation one month later. They decided to make a nice American meal and felt lucky to find olives, tomato juice, butter and even some cheese in the hotel shop. They put these out as appetizers. For the main course they prepared spaghetti and a salad with dressing made from oil, vinegar, and some spices they found in the market.

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