Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Exercise #8a: Below is a brief explanation of the cultural dimensions:-

1. As soon as Todd arrives, he experiences the discomfort of being disoriented in a
 strange new place. What happens at the airport?

 His name was written wrong on the sign and not raised up, so , he did not find someone waiting for him. He took a taxi to the train station.

 2. When a friendly traveler helps him get on the train, what does he tell him to do?
 How could this advice apply to what an exchange student has to do?

 He tells him to jump into the train while it was moving.

 3. When he gets on the train, he cannot find an empty seat. How is this problem
 solved for him? How might this be a cultural solution?

 A little boy gave him his seat, but he sat on his legs. It shows respect for older people in India.

 4. As any exchange student, he has a lot of experiences trying new food. His first
 encounter is with an iced drink. What happens?

 He bought an iced drink, but the man did not have change, so, he told him to keep the change.

 5. First encounters with a culture can be shocking – Todd sees crowded streets with
 cows, noise, and a man urinating in the street. But how does his host describe the
 city?

 He says that Bombai is terrtible, but Gharapuri is very clean.

 6. Even though the host Puro speaks English, Todd uses American slang a lot
 without thinking. So as not to insult Puro, what does he say the meaning of
 Schmuck is?

 It mean a nice guy

 7. Todd wants to check in to a hotel. But Puro insists he come to a boarding house.
 What is the reason he gives Todd?

 The place is very lonely, he will eat the Indian food and take care of it.

 8. As soon as they meet, Aunti Ji starts asking very intimate questions that
 Americans who have just met would never ask. What kind of things does she ask?

 She ask him if he marred of not, and she ask him if he have a girlfriend.

 9. During his first conversation with Aunti Ji he makes two big mistakes. What are
 they?

 He starts to eat with his left hand.

 10. The Golden Rule says do unto others as you would have them do unto you. That
 means his Indian hosts and friends are trying to make him comfortable the way
 they would be comfortable. How does this apply when the servant is preparing
 tea for Todd?

 She saw todd uncomfortable when he came back, so she tried to make todd comfortable by preparing a cup of tea for him.
 11. How does Todd figure out why one does not eat food with the left hand?

 They explain to him that the left hand is unclean.

 12. What is ethnocentric about his statement “You need to learn about America”?

 Because todd wanted them to know more about the American’s culture like accent, sport and weather so the customer will feel like he is talking to an American. (High-context culture)

 13. Why do they disagree on how a “native” speaks English?

 Because todd wants the employees to use the American accent so they can have a proper conversation with the costumer without any misunderstanding. (High-context culture)

 14. What doesn’t Todd understand about the Indians’ response to the “cattle brand”?

 He was talking without knowing people in India consider cows as a holy creature and they don’t eat beef.
 15. What is Todd’s reaction to “You need to learn about India”? What stage of culture shock might it represent?

 • He was confused because he didn’t know about India culture and he was embarrassed.

 •             (Stage 2, withdrawal).


 16. He calls home several times. Why? What stage of culture shock might provoke calls home?

 • Because he wanted to finish his job and go back to America, and he didn’t adapt the lifestyle in India.

 • (Stage 2, withdrawal).

 17. What mistakes in language usage are represented in the recording of the call about
 “a rubber”?

 Rubber means eraser in British accent, and it doesn’t mean the same in the American accent which creates a communication problem.

 18. Why is he so eager to go to McDonnells?

 to eat beef burger, which is prohibited in India.

 19. Todd doesn’t understand bargaining. How does the Indian respond to this?

 The seller gave him very high price trying to cheat him.

 20. What does I.N.D.I.A. stand for? How might this be an example of the “Inbound
 Syndrome”?

 I’ll Never Do It Again.

 21. What advice does his fellow American have for him?

 Do not ask for beef again.

 22. When Todd develops the incentive system, he has begun to adapt to India. How
 has he adapted?

 He started to participate in the Indian festival, eating with Indian family and try to be more social, discovering India.

 23. When he looks at the cow in the office the second time, why is his reaction so
 Different ?

 He understands and respect Indian culture.

 24. Explain the difference between American and Indian cultures when Todd and
 Puro discuss how often he visits his family and why he doesn’t live with them.

 American family each lives separately from each other and rarely they visite or see each other. However, the Indian family live toagther.

 25. What cultural values are involved in the exchange between Aunti Ji and Todd
 about ironing his underwear?

 In india the ireon all different cloth.
 In America todd is not used to iron his underwear.


 26. How well does Todd handle himself when he is invited over the wall to an Indian
 home for a meal?

 He sat with them and made himself as a member of the family.

 27. In what ways does he show he has adapted? How does he know he is successful?

 He ate in the same way they eat in which the old women was happy from him.

 28. When the call center floods and they are shut down, Todd finds an “Indian”
 Solution. What is it?

 He went to his Indian friend and asked for his help in electricity connections.
 He called his family and will visit them soon.


 29. When Todd comes home, there are several signs that his Indian experience has
 influenced him. Name three ways he has become more “Indian”.


 1. He called his family and will visit them soon.

 2. He has the third eye that will be looking after him.

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