Cultural Visit
Cultural visit to site that culturally different between Indonesia & US.
Did you experience culture shock when you arrived in the USA? This country has different rules and norms which surprise and cause culture shock. Compared to my county, Indonesia, there are so many extraordinary differences, American and Indonesian have unique cultures especially in fashion, food, and religion.
In Indonesian’s view point, fashion represents how the characteristic of somebody is. It’s a symbol of him/her personality, age, or social standing. Before choosing your clothes, you must think over your event, the situation, or your role. You will get complaint if you wear inappropriate fashion. Wearing sexy clothes is considered rather taboo and impolite because Indonesia has strong Eastern-ethical and influence of Islamic value. When Miss Indonesia 2004, Artika Sari Devi, wore her bikini in the fashion show of the Miss Universe Contest, she got many protests from Indonesian. Unlike in Indonesia, people in the USA can choose what clothes they want to wear freely. An old woman can wear a vivid clothes with many bright accessories. A boy may change his hair in an unique style. A girl may draw a tatoo in her skin. Nobody will complain what your fashion is.
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Cultural visit
It’s an important practice to learn and appreciate other people’s culture. Different countries and states have different cultures. Cultures considered normal with a certain group of people can be a taboo in another group. This article compares the American and the Indonesian cultures. These cultures differ in introduction, family values, educational attitudes, food, fashion and religion.
Introduction
Maintaining eye contact and hand shaking with everybody is a norm in America. Eye contact is assumed polite. Hand shaking is usually firm and brief. Americans use titles as Mr., Prof or Dr based on status or age. The title is used with the second, last or family name to address people of higher status. Generally, in informal situations, nicknames or first names are preferred. On the other hand, Indonesians employ eye contact and hand shaking based on age and gender. Eye contact between people of same age and gender is common. Some girls do not shake hands based on religion; therefore, men who may want to talk to girls must be careful. Eye contact with elderly people is considered impolite in Indonesia. Indonesians use titles to address people of higher standards in both formal and informal situations. After introduction, Indonesians ask personal questions about each other while Americans ask general questions.
Family values
American children are taught to be independent from childhood. They are taught to earn their own money. Indonesian children on the other hand are provided with everything they need with their parents. American children at age between 18 and 21 are given the freedom to live independently as opposed to Indonesian children of the same age who still depend on their parents.
Educational attitudes
American chil...