Cross Cultural Communication Exam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Cross Cultural Communication Exam - Essay Example These shared traits, values and practices have been passed on from one generation to the next. These have all been developed from influences from their history, ancestors, environment and even geographical location. Thus, it can also be said that culture is an unconscious learning of a certain group’s inherent practices, and behaviors, and it forms the group’s identity that sets them apart from other cultures. In the context of one’s culture, one develops a worldview, value system, attitudes and beliefs common to the cultural group he comes from.2 Each culture has identified heroes, rituals, values and practices that represent who they are as a people. Heroes are people who have shown extraordinary virtues or skills that people want to emulate. People appreciate the heroes more when their culture is highlighted when the hero is given public recognition. Rituals are customs and traditions distinct to the cultural group. These are practiced in specific times such as special occasions. For example certain cultures perform certain rituals during religious holidays to honor their faith. Values are deeper concepts preferred by a cultural group such as the provision of utmost hospitality to guests or ascribing deep respect for elders. Practices are actions that sum up the cultural make-up of a group of people. For Muslims, for example, getting down on their knees to pray five times a day is a custom that reflects the people’s religious heroes, rituals, values and practices. The Oxford English Dictionary defines ethnocentrism as "regarding ones own race or ethnic group as of supreme importance"4. Although this is basically good because it promotes cultural identity, it may also breed arrogance and racism when it becomes amplified when the ethnocentric group is among other cultural groups. It then becomes a barrier in