Cultural Literacy Example

Cultural Literacy Example Cultural Literacy – Coursework Example Cultural Literacy Key differences between American and Chinese culture originate in the differences in people’s lifestyles, socializing habits, and cuisines and eating habits etcetera. While Americans are more independently going, self-oriented, and have well-defined personal space, Chinese are more community-oriented with strong family ties and robust social network. If I were to do business in China, I would have to be more open and vivacious in greeting others. I would be expected to have a lot of friends and Chinese people are not difficult to make friends as they are quite friendly and easy going. Once upon a time, I was in a gathering. There were my American neighbors and a couple from the Middle East. Handshaking between men and women is a common practice in the US. People shake hands all the time, whether they are in office, park, or at home with friends. My American neighbor John, who also happens to be my close friend, was the host. While we were attending the guests , John offered the Middle Eastern couple some wine, but they respectfully refused. I could sense that John did not like that since he had spent a lot on wine. This was where I intruded and said with a wide grin on my face,†haha; America is a melting pot of cultures, beautifully blending yet retaining their originality; right John?† John got the point and joined in the conversation. What could otherwise have been jeopardized in a misunderstanding, sprang into a strong networking with good understanding of and respect for the cultural differences as a result of my intervention.