Get Off The Phone!
As we all know, cell phones are a huge part of people's lives. I know I can't live without mine. It's as if my whole life is in that little metal box. Well, the Chinese are no different.
Attending a lecture in China, I was surprised at the number of people who left their cell phones on. Throughout the whole lecture, these students were answering their phones, talking non-stop. No one seemed to care. As an American, this seemed highly disrespectful. For some Americans, their hearts jump when their phone starts ringing in class because they are so embarrassed. Why is there such a difference between the cultures? Are they too flexible? Are we too rigid?
Technology and communicating with the outside world seems to be a growing interest in China. The Chinese are on the Internet and learning English. Some of the girls I taught two years ago are still emailing me and asking me to help them come to the United States and to help them improve their English skills so that it is possible. Why do you think they are doing this?
Some people may argue they are trying to be like us. I recall some people on this blog asserting that people throughout the world want to be like us, and that is why they listen to our music and embrace our culture? I don't agree. I think that they are now more able to learn about other cultures. Everything outside of their bubble is foreign to them and they want to hold on to something different. Maybe they are getting more freedoms, and this allows them to feel fine talking on the phone during a lecture, and singing along to Britney Spears. Who knows...
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_39/b3901066.htm
posted by Jenn @ 4:27 PM
14 comments
14 Comments:
That is really amazing, that a culture that was known for being so very respectful towards elders or those a class above. Today have no qualms about talkin' on the line during a lecture. How did the speaker react? Were they mad that such was going on or were they too, nonchalant about it?
I think it just comes from wanting to learn about different cultures, and now they have the means to do it. There are people here in the US who are obsessed with the Japanese or British or whatever. It is just a part of humanity, we are either curious about what is unfamiliar, or we fear it. And I think it also wanting something we can’t really have; people are always unhappy with what they have and are continually seeking something else.
Well, the speaker was my mom and she didn't really react much. She just saw it as part of the culture, I guess. The translators didn't seem to care either though, which seems interesting.
I find it ironic that Bush's behavior was seen as very rude towards Hu. But, speaking on your cell phone is class, and using a hole rather than a toilet are seen as rude. It just shows the differences in culture.
Taking this blog and the previous blog regarding manners (President Bush tugging on Hu's sleeve) I think we again can draw the conclusion that what is considered disrespectful behavior in one culture is not in another. I think it is kind of sad that the aspect of society that most people in different nations emulate is popular culture. I am reminded of the previous blog about Western ideals influencing the eating habits, ideals of beauty, etc. If only we were more interested in the real people and the cultures of different nations, we might actually gain some understanding.
I think that Americans have become obsessed with other countries and cultures becoming “American.” The whole idea of different countries is having different ideas and embracing different cultures. As Americans we should be promoting individuality, not trying to build a bunch of United States’ around the world.
It is definitely a case of wanting to be like the US! They veiw us as rude and very errogant by the way we walk, talk, and have other interatctions with people. This is an assumption just like we assume so do they. Perhaps this is the way they view an American lecture taking place. Either way or not it should be seen in every culture as extremely rude and disrespectful! I give those students a wag of the finger (Stephen Colbert)!
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I don't know if I agree with everyone trying to be like us. They may like our music, our culture our clothing, but it's not them trying to emulate us. No matter where go it should be highly disrespectful to talk on the phone during a class, or anywhere where someone is speaking. If they are going to learn anything from us that should be it.
I don't think we're in any position to say what should ignore thousands of years of culture and say what should be universally disrespectful -- save maybe murder.
Talking on a cellphone during a lecture is at most an annoyance. If it's culturally acceptable in China, so be it.
Personally I think that it is totally rude when people answer their phones or text during a meeting or class. There are certain things that should be universally observed and talking on your phone during a meeting or class is one of them.
It's the same level of disrespect as not taking your shoes off when entering a home.
It's totally acceptable to walk into an American home with your shoes on. Perhaps this should be universally unnacceptable also.
I want to go to China but I don't think I will answer my phone next time it rings in class. Oh wait, it never will because I always turn it off! I know that embarrassing feeling that accompanies the ringing and vibrating of a forgotten phone. I would like to know what in their culture allows them to feel that this action is okay.
Cultural value is something that is accepted and shared by societies. If nobody finds wrong people answering cellphones in the middle of a conference, they are gonna keep doing it. The reason why Chinese people are becoming "weternized" is because of the media bombardment (that makes U.S goods and service appealing). The media used to promote movie premiers, tv shows and U.S. products make U.S. look as a "wonderland"; so everyone wants to come to the U.S.
I think that Globalization is making this happen. Believe it or not, but the world evolves from the Western and first world nations.
I personally think that people shuld be answering the phone in the middle of a class. That's just totally rude.
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