Wednesday, March 23, 2011
#1 Introduction to American Culture
After reading the introduction and Chapter 1 from American Ways, go out into the Tucson and/or UA community to observe Americans and take notes. I suggest you go to a place like a coffee shop, park or mall where you can observe Americans and even "overhear" what they talk about. Remember our discussion about acting like an anthropologist or sociologist. When you have completed your observation notes, write a blog entry comparing the reading from American Ways with your own experience observing Americans. What similarities of differences did you find? What was interesting or noteworthy from your observations?
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Hello,
ReplyDeleteI went to Starbucks cafe, and I heard a conversation of five UOFA students. They were talking about three different topics.
First, they were talking about the spring break; they have traveled together. I have observed many thing from that topic:
- Each one of them had the right to express about his/her opinion freely about how it was. (Individualism)
- They planned well for the best places and activities that they have done. (Achievement/Directness)
Second, they talked about the UOFA, and from what I had heard I observed :
- There was a girl who talked about her study "Accounting", she was very ambitious about her future; she was thinking about getting the PHD in this field, and her friends were very happy and supported. (Work/Future)
The third topic was about Japan earthquake:
- They had a conversation about Japan earthquake; how bad was it, and how did it affect Japan and the Japanese. (Informality)
- They thought about the donation and thought that they might donate. (Goodness of Humanity)
Hey,,,
ReplyDeleteI had heard a conversation in Chipotle restaurant...
Three UofA students were talking about how they were going to spend the weekend...
One of the guy's wanted to go to Las Vegas and go to shows etc... he had planned for the whole thing from what time to leave and how much time to spend at each activity... (Time)
While his friend suggested to sit at home and watch the BasketBall games... (Individualism)
And the last guy was pleased with both suggestions but couldn't decide to chose what to do for the weekend... And after 15 minutes he decided to flip a coin... (Directness) And The winner was the guy who planned for the Las Vegas Trip ...
Hey!!!
ReplyDeleteI went supermarket this weekend.
On the way to the supermarket, i heard two U of A students talked about their courses and someting about the Spring break.
One of them felt confused about her courses the next semester. Because she didn't know how many credits she should get. So, the other one gave her some suggestions about her problems.(individualism)
Then the guy told the girl that he went to LA during the Spring break. And they discussed the rumour that said there was a big earthquake would happen in LA few weeks ago.(information)
In the supermarket. I heard two housewives talked about the food.
Hey.
ReplyDeleteI went to baskin robbins to have some ice cream
there were diffrent group of people chating and enjoy their ice cream..
the first group was old people talking about a play written by shakespeare " As You Like It"
It was displayed in AZ Repertory theater .They were discussed part of the play and how they loved it.I heared that their favorite part was when the actors gathered around the fire and sing all lover love spring.
The second group were guys from UofA.one of the guys talked about his major "business". He was so exciting as it will be his last year in university.He is looking forward to work and be independent from his parents( future)
Hi~ how are you guys?
ReplyDeleteBe honest with you guys I didn't go outside during the weekend(stuck on my couch).
BUT! I talked my American friend.
we talk about friends, party, and job(work) etc.
especially we talk a lot about JOB and work with the other people. I want to tell you guys about job that we talk about.
when we were in college, we study hard and work hard whole the time. even we don't have time to take a rest we did well. but now some college students complaint all the time. "I have a lot of homework." "I don't have time to go to work." I don't ahve time to study."
but we have time like money, as we studied last week. I think time is also same and money.
If we use useful, we have lots of time!
Hello,
ReplyDeletei was sitting in a caffe and heard two girls talking about their majors in the University , And how did they choose their majors. Both of them said that they chose their majors by their own selves (individualism)
And they want to continue for masters degree (future change and progress)
And i heard a conversation between two bus drivers, they were using informal and slang words while they're talking to their manager or boss (informality)
I was invited to a potluck last friday by an American friend of mine. I observed some important things while with them. For example, when it was time to taste the different dishes, everyone had to serve themselves. However, in my culture, when you invite someone over, you should do everything for them. So this shows the American "individualism".
ReplyDeleteTalking about management of "time", I would say they are very punctual and careful about not losing their time. A while before, they had told me that one of their friends was coming to pick me up at around 5:50 p.m. Well, he came exactly on time.
However, I wanted to better understand the American culture, so I talked to one of them about the survey I was supposed to do. And he was willing to help me with that. Then, when I got home, I fecebooked him asking him some questions about the American culture. It was a sort of interview that I tried to do. If you are interested in reading it, I would be very pleased to share it with you.