3). Pick one concept from the assigned readings, other than what has already been discussed this week, that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
One concept from chapter three that I found interesting is the idea of expressiveness in language and social identity. The book defines expressiveness cultures as cultures that are, “open when it comes to displaying emotions. Hugging, touching, and crying may not be out of place, even in the workplace” (97). I have some good examples of this because I have travelled to Japan where their expressiveness is very different that ours here in America. For example, couples are rarely seen holding hands and families don’t often hug. I think that even some very old traditions such as bowing and hand shaking go far in showing the cultures preferred expressiveness culture.
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Hello Nicciri! It is interesting to read of your travels to Japan. Do you have any experiences of other physical expressions in the Japanese culture that we do not experience here on a normal basis? (You said couples are rarely seen holding hands. How do they express affection with one another?) What about other cultures? Have you noticed things about other cultures that are, perhaps similar to what you have experienced in Japan?
ReplyDeleteliving in san francisco i feel as though things operate a bit differently here than in the rest of the united states. overall i feel as though we're a fairly expressive society insofar as public displays of some emotions such as joy. but i still find it interesting how it kind of has to be an extraordinary occurance to witness men crying in public. it goes against gender norms within this country. i find there is a greater range of public emotion shown in countries like cuba, mexico and dominican republic than in the us. here in san francisco one will witness all sorts of emotions on display pubically.
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