Greetings,
I had an interested conversation today with several of my ESL students. The conversation was about a variety of topics and recent happenings. Eventually it lead to, “What do you think American know about your country and its culture?” “Do you think they (Amer.) respect and understand who you are as a people……or are you (all) somehow stereotyped?”
First of all, I asked these questions because many of us have learned about other countries and its culture from the media. And, more than anything, this portrayal is often ‘negative’ or ’stereotypical’.
Q: “Do you think (all) people base their knowledge on a particular country and its culture on what they see in the media?”
If you could introduce your country and its culture to a group of Americans who would then pass that info on to their friends, family and acquaintances, what would you tell?
Blog your response to your classmates at the ELC!
8 responses so far ↓
Yes I do!! Since I came to The United States, many people have asked me about samurai, and ninjya. In Japan, I never talk about them between me and friends. I thought the media affect Americans somehow. On the other hand, I also base my knowledge of the countries on what I see in the media. Now I know real Americans and their culture better than before, but I had stereotypes about them and their culture when I was in Japan.
If I could introduce Japan to a group of Americans, I would tell them about Kyoto which is very historical city in Japan. If I could tell them very well, some of them might have interest on it and hopefully, they will tell their family or friends about it.
Yes, I think so.
In America, many people have wrong knowledge about China. They have never gone to China and know China (from) the media.
When I went to New York visiting the Metropolitan Museum last month, I saw a picture in the Chinese exhibition hall. In the picture, several Chinese peasants wearing outmoded clothes were taking bicycles in the field. It reflects the images of Chinese people tens (of) years ago. Zhang Yimou, a Chinese director, made several Chinese movies that got award in Cannes in recent years. I don’t like his films because (his) stories depicted the society state of China 100 years ago. These out-of-date introduction about China make people who have never gone to China have a wrong knowledge about China. For example, my landlord knew a little about my country. He thought China is very poor and undeveloped. His wrong knowledge about China was obtained from the media.
If I could introduce my country to a group of Americans, I want to tell them the following fact. First, China is a developed country. Economic is fast-increasing in recent year. Most Chinese families in city are very wealthy. At least, the living condition in my home is more better that my landlord’s. Our city is very beautiful. Although many presents in China are in poverty, I think there are rich man and poor man in any country. For example, there are some homeless in America. Second, although our income is low relatively, Chinese money has higher purchasing power. Our income earned in our country is enough to pay for our living expenses in China. We can have wealthy and easy-going lives.
Jine
“What do you think American know about your country and its culture?”
Lol, this question made me laugh all day long =) u might wonder why. ‘coz since I came to the U.S on 2001 and the begining of 2006, I saw many American ppl DON’T know where’s my country located in this world! How interesting
LoOoL! I think they just recently knew where is it at =D
* Aye, most of them do. There’re a few ppl who really have a lot of info. about my country and its culture and they know it v.well. I can see that the media effected v.well on American ppl.
** I would like to tell them that u’ve to change the way that u r thinking about us! We aren’t as wht u imagine ” Riding camals, living in the (desert) and having alot of oil. ” We are a developed country!
which is “The Red Sea”.
Jeddah, my hometown, (is) one of the most important city in Saudi Arabia, to me, is one of the best city on this world. It’s hard to explan it. But I’m pretty sure if u have the chance to go there to see how it looks like don’t miss it ‘coz u won’t eva gonna think about getting back to ur hometown anymore!
Don’t forget that we have the most beautiful sea in the world
Thanks!
Sary ( ” , ) Nightlife
Sometimes.I agree you about basing our knowledge on what we see on Tv.What do you expect people to know more about countries if they only watch tv? Media is effecting our mind.But new generations who are being in education,they do not care what Tv shows them.Because they are aware of the difference between reading and watching.The best way of getting information is reading.Second one is living.That`s one reason for me to stay here.You should know that(still not for all Americans) i have good feelings about you and your country.
When i go back to my country i`ll tell them my experiences.
Every culture has an advantage and disadvantage. In my opinion, if you heard anything about any culture, I mean any stereotype; you should search and read about it. Do you think that everything you have heard is true? I don’t think so. When I was in my country, I have heard lots of stereotypes about the United States, but I have searched about it because I should know what is the truth. Also, I always listen to some stereotype about my culture but it always not true so I have to explain some of my culture for some people to understand our culture. I think it’s great to know about the other culture, but you have to be sure it’s true.
Hi ladies and gentlemen,
It’s really nice topic because each one of us want to introduce his/her country and culture.
First of all, my country is the best in everything and it has the two best lands in the world for all Muslims; there are Makah and Madinah. In addition, it’s the safest than the other countries.
Second, my country is the more peace than the others, and the people in the world look at me as the terrorist, they think all the people in the Saudi Arabia is bad (terrorism). I have question for all of us; do you think all the people in your country are good? Also, when the people (teacher) see some students are lazy, they condemn all Saudian are lazy; why are they Perspective on that person and they don’t him/her?
Finally, the people think all the Saudian are the richest because there are source oil in the world, but I would like to see to all the world; in my country there are some people probably they don’t eat three meals in a day.
There’re some differences between western culture and estern culture. I’d like to tell American about the girls behavior with any ralationship. Once, I walked arm in arm with my friend (girl) at web center. This is not weird in my country. They almost always hold hands each other or fold their arms with very close relationships such as friends, siblings, relatives. However, at that time, some american worker in web center made fun of us. They should have thought about us lesbians. So, I have to be careful about my behavior everytime in this country even though when I’m with my close friend or my sister. That makes me somewhat tired.
Hey everyone..
First of all, I think its a nice topic 2 discuss ,
In fact it debante in the person for example, the person who is familiar about the news or can read about other countries will have more information than others. I’ll tell u story that happened 2 me; one time I wanted 2 go some- where and i called taxi’s company after that i get the taxi . As I always do i started short conversion with the taxis’ driver .When i said 2 him I’m from ksa he started laughing and he said ‘’don’t give me money give me oil’’…loooool.
Do you think (all) people base their knowledge on a particular country and its culture on what they see in the media?”
I think in any place round the world the media cant tell the truth or maybe the legal picture for human’s lives.
If you could introduce your country and its culture to a group of Americans who would then pass that info on to their friends, family and acquaintances, what would you tell?
I would see for them ‘’no everybody’s perfect”.
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