Cultural “Self” Awareness & Self-Introductions

This week’s lesson helped me understand how important it is to know my own culture before trying to understand others. Cultural self-awareness means understanding my own values, assumptions, and ways of thinking, and how they affect how I see people from different cultures. One idea that helped me understand this better is the Cultural Iceberg Model, which explains that we can only see part of a culture, while many important things are hidden (Hall, 1976). This made me realize that many misunderstandings happen because of things we cannot see.

This week’s lesson helped me understand how important it is to know my own culture before trying to understand others. Cultural self-awareness means understanding my own values, assumptions, and ways of thinking, and how they affect how I see people from different cultures. One idea that helped me understand this better is the Cultural Iceberg Model, which explains that we can only see part of a culture, while many important things are hidden (Hall, 1976). This made me realize that many misunderstandings happen because of things we cannot see.

When meeting others for the first time, I noticed clear differences between my culture and Japan. In my culture, people are usually more expressive, use humor, and show confidence more openly. In Japan, people often speak more politely, show respect, and try to be more modest. For example, instead of talking a lot about their achievements, they may speak more carefully and humbly.

Another idea that stood out to me is Social Identity Theory, which explains that people see themselves as part of groups and this can affect how they see others (Tajfel & Turner, 1979). This helped me think about how my background affects the way I understand people.

The videos, especially Conan O’Brien’s interactions in Japan, showed these differences clearly. Some things that are normal or funny in my culture may feel uncomfortable or strange in Japan. However, there are also similarities, like trying to make a good first impression and finding things in common. When meeting others for the first time, I noticed clear differences between my culture and Japan. In my culture, people are usually more expressive, use humor, and show confidence more openly. In Japan, people often speak more politely, show respect, and try to be more modest. For example, instead of talking a lot about their achievements, they may speak more carefully and humbly.

Another idea that stood out to me is Social Identity Theory, which explains that people see themselves as part of groups and this can affect how they see others (Tajfel & Turner, 1979). This helped me think about how my background affects the way I understand people.

The videos, especially Conan O’Brien’s interactions in Japan, showed these differences clearly. Some things that are normal or funny in my culture may feel uncomfortable or strange in Japan. However, there are also similarities, like trying to make a good first impression and finding things in common. Basically being able to understand other cultures starts by understanding myself.