“From Foreign to Familiar” Discussion

[Daycee]

I love these topics! When you make a new friend from another country, start thinking about how they relate to the world and watch what influences how they make decisions.

[Emma Hodges]

– In cold cultures efficiency is thought to be a higher priority then relationships with other people.

– How there is a difference in where your identity comes from in both hot and cold cultures. People in hot cultures often relate to their groups, whereas people in cold cultures often see themselves as independent from their groups.

– People in hot culture contexts know that they are automatically involved in social gatherings whereas people in cold culture contexts may expect an invitation instead.

I think I relate to both a hot and cold culture context in different ways. In the ways I think about time and identity things, I would relate more with a cold culture. I like to be efficient and appreciate efficiency in others and sometimes have a hard time associating myself with a group. But in close relationships with others, I think I relate more to hot culture contexts.

[Taliya]

1. In hot cultures, time is lenient (which I would get frustrated at in my cold culture) but the reason for it is based in honour, people wouldn’t start an event without everyone present.

2. In hot cultures, it’s not desirable to be left to oneself but in cold cultures having time for yourself is good, almost a goal to achieve. This makes me a little nervous to be in a hot culture because I defiantly have a social battery limit and I don’t want to be rude and isolate myself if we have plans with a group or a guest over, but I also know I will need time to myself to rejuvenate.

3. Hot cultures are very group orientated and the responsibility is shared by a group. In cold cultures its very individualistic so people are left to fend for themselves and if they mess up, they’re expected to deal with it themselves unless they ask for help.

I grew up in a cold culture but there are definitely aspect of hot cultures that I am drawn to. Hugh and I host often and care a lot about our relationships. There are also some values held by cold cultures that I recognize are required of me here but I’m uncomfortable with like speaking directly and prioritizing efficiency. It will still be a huge shift to move into a hot culture but I hope that with understanding behind behaviours will come an easier acceptance and adoption of those behaviours.