RAZON, ARKCHIEALLE ZGE 4304 – 4EE1A

20171109845 AUGUST 24, 2022

Culture and Society

Khan Academy explained the distinction between culture and society in this video.
According to this presentation, culture is a way of life a group of people and relates to a
society's collective knowledge, beliefs, and values. Society, on the other hand, refers to
a collection of individuals who lives in a given geographic location. Over time, society has
developed a shared culture. Culture is similar to the norms that govern how people live.
However, society is a structure that provides people with organization.
To begin with, I understand these two concepts with the explanation using a
smartphone. He used analogy for better understanding where he relates the phone as
the society, anything physical that a human being can touch and the software applications
installed in it as the culture. In my opinion, he was attempting to convey the idea that a
phone without applications would be pointless. On a smartphone, the dialer and text
messaging are system apps, but this concept would be very different with a non-
smartphone or landline.

Ethics

Ethics is defined in this video as a rule or guideline established for what is right
and wrong for individuals or communities. For many professions like medicine, law,
journalism, and accounting, codes of conduct express relevant ethical standards. his
presentation also discussed ethics and morals, with philosophers differentiating between
the two. A lot of people uses these words interchangeably however, ethics refers to the
framework for interpreting the right and wrong of a society.
Ethics and morality are distinct characteristics. Ethics are the rules that have
developed over thousands of years of human civilization. Morals are highly personal or
societal in nature. Morals differ from person to person. Someone's morals contradicts
another's. As humans, I believe we should adhere strictly to our ethics. Ethics are the
codes that distinguish us from ancient people.
RAZON, ARKCHIEALLE ZGE 4304 – 4EE1A
20171109845 AUGUST 24, 2022

12 Unexpected Etiquette Rules from Around the World

There were 12 etiquette rules from around the world explained in this video. To
summarize it all; don’t use forks in Thailand, don’t clean your plate in China, be ready to
share a plate in Ethiopia, It is insulting to ask for extra cheese in Italy, don’t ask for salt
and pepper in Portugal, be mindful of chopsticks in Japan, don’t touch food with your left
hand in the Middle East, don’t sip on your wine in Georgia, don’t fill your own glass in
Japan, only drink cappuccino before noon in Italy, guests are welcomed with half a cup
of tea in Kazakhstan, and a clean teapot is a teapot without a soul in China.
It is shocking to know that this etiquette rules exist around the world. Living in the
Philippines, for us Filipinos, these are just normal. It is great to know this 12 etiquette
rules enable for us not to offend other nationalities when we visit their countries. It is really
interesting and informative to learn new facts. I am quiete amazed that each country has
different manners even though we are on the same planet.

7 Unusual Business Etiquettes Around the World that Might Surprise You

7 unusual business etiquettes were discussed in this video wherein: Russians are
free to show up to their business meetings in their own desired time, Chinese prepare
gifts for business meetings however gifts are being refused up to three times before being
accepted in their tradition, In UAE, using the left hand would be considered a serious
insult, Indians would consider as a sign of disrespect when you order a cow meat in a
restaurant, Belgian business professionals have the tradition of greeting each other with
three air kisses, and last but not the least, British people consider a conversation as
private and confidential when they start tapping their nose.
Among these unusual business etiquettes, I am very intrigue by russians. In
Philippines, being late in a meeting is rude and inconsiderate of other people’s time.
Personally, I believe in the saying of “time is gold” and I would like a brief explanation of
how showing up on your desired time makes it okay in Russia. However, I do respect this
business etiquette of them since I belive there is much deeper reason about that.
RAZON, ARKCHIEALLE ZGE 4304 – 4EE1A
20171109845 AUGUST 24, 2022

Handshake Etiquette Around the World

In this presentation, different meaning of handshake around the world were

discussed. Upon watching this video, I find it funny how a simple hand gesture mean so
much and differently in each country, how you may disrespect a certain nationality with
one simple gesture. I think it is important to be aware of handshake etiquette around the
world as countries take this seriously.
I once encountered a readings and it retained in my memory even though I have
not encountered a foreign; if you are uncertain how long to hold a handshake, take your
hint from your counterpart. Follow their lead and do not let off of the handshake pressure
before they do, since this may be viewed as disrespectful.

Cross-Cultural Management

We live and work in a global society. Businesses nowadays are far more linked
and diverse than in the past. People frequently fall into a cycle of being so focused on
the bottom line and meeting the essential targets that they fail to pause and assess the
circumstances. In this video, the narrator provided 3 key stages where we can reach
mutual understanding. These three stages in chronological order were defined as
Recognition, Respect, and Reconcilation.
I personally believe that it is best to know the difference of an individual to another
individual. Having friends from other cultures makes me more creative. In fresh ways
about space and how people create their own world and environment. It is a hreat way to
connect between creative thinking and cross-cultural relationships. I find this presentation
informative as this really helps me to improve my interaction with other nationality.