Slide 1

Mexico, Russia, China Mexico, Russia, China JP Amick, Claire Coulter, Cortland Fondon, Christina Gallant, Carlos Garcia, Brandon Jones, Chris Speck, Chelsey Woods

Slide 2

Mexico Torn Culture- A culture torn from its roots by invaders and external factors such as widespread famine that devastate it.

Slide 3

Three Distinctive Cultures The Indian Culture The Spanish Culture The Mestizo Culture

Slide 4

Mexico Facts Average years children stay in school have increased since 1960. From 2.6 years to 8 years Population has 1.3% growing annual rate Mexico City has 19 million people and one of the largest cities in the world. Spanish if official language. 3 times the size of Texas,

Slide 5

Influenced by Past Destroy of hidden remains of the Aztec Empire Statues in streets September Devoted to commemorating Mexicos Independence from Spain. Mexico Government spends on anthropological research

Slide 6

Historical Background 1519: Cortes arrived 1810: Victory over Spain in the War of Independence. 1853: Mexican War: half of territory given to the U.S. 1920: Mexican Revolution ended- Presidential Elections began.

Slide 7

Workforce Agriculture 15% Industry- 30% Services- 55% Black Market- 50%

Slide 8

5 Regions in Mexico Northern Border Region Central Region Southwest Region Mexico City Area of Gulf Shores

Slide 9

The Mexican Fiesta According to the Mexican Department of Tourism, the number of official fiestas varies yearly between 500 and 600. Fiestas are held for a variety of reasons, including the celebration of historical events such as Mexican Independence Day; reinforcing the traditions of individual towns, cities, and states; honoring Catholic saints and practices; paying homage to special foods and crops found in a particular region; and recognizing birthdays, baptisms, weddings, and graduations. The fiesta is an appropriate metaphor through which to view Mexico. Stereotype Come to the land of the fiesta. In reality, the more remote and difficult it is to get to a fiesta, the more attractive.

Slide 10

The Mexican Fiesta Cont.. Pure pleasures of simple life can be experienced at a fiesta: indigenous, native dances in beautiful costumes and people dancing happily about. Gives Mexicans the opportunity to enliven and richly enhance their existence. Fiestas are a blend of beautiful costumes, language, bustling activity, and aimless walking around. Although fiestas have humor, they are not good- humored or consciously funny. Oaxaca Fiesta Chiapas Fiesta Given the diversity of fiestas, each of them must be experienced, not simply observed.

Slide 11

The Mexican Fiesta Cont... Four important aspects of Mexican culture are revealed in the fiesta: 1. Primary focus of Mexicans is on people. 2. Religion is important throughout a Mexicans life. 3. Experiencing the present is important to Mexicans. 4. Within the social order Mexicans find freedom.

Slide 12

Primary Focus on People People are of paramount importance to the Mexicans. Mexico is collectivist, and there is a tight social framework in which members of the in-group, particularly those in positions of authority, are expected to look after all of its members in exchange for their loyalty. Gabrielidis found that the collectivist Mexicans display concern more then the individualistic U.S. Americans do. As a whole Mexico is an authority ranking or vertical collectivistic but paternalistic culture in which there is a good amount of social distance between superiors and subordinates. Aguinaldo- Christmas bonus. Basic building block in the society is the immediate family.

Slide 13

Primary Focus on People Cont.. Several generations live together in the same house. Children are encouraged to stay dependent on the family and not leave home. Non-working hours spent with family. Babysitters are rarely if ever used. The family is an informal welfare system in Mexico. Godparents are selected for baptisms and other important festive ceremonies in a childs life. Compradazco- coparenthood shared by parents and godparents. Friends are also very important in Mexico.

Slide 14

Relationships Rule Mexicans are ruled much more by relationships than by abstract concepts. Diminutive endings such as ito or ita, which mean small, are often tacked onto the ends of names or words to suggest affection. Ex: Silvita instead of Silvia. Also used for minimizing problems and saving face. Mexicans tend to hire relatives and friends over strangers. In Hofstedes study of 53 nations, Mexicans were found to have a high need for uncertainty avoidance, indicating that they feel threatened by uncertain situations and strangers and try to avoid them. Its not what you know, but who you now. Mexicans are not loyal to an organization, but they are committed to the people in the organization.

Slide 15

Relationships Rule Cont.. Foreign executives must take the concerns of the employees family seriously. Mexicans tend to view success in terms of affiliation, not achievement. Uniqueness is of high importance. Alma- the soul; espiritu- the spirit. Praise is important to Mexicans. Mexicans tend to be consensus seekers and will lie to avoid hurt feelings and confrontation. Lies and truth are not absolute.

Slide 16

Relationships Rule Cont.. Michael Agar discusses how Mexicans perceive U.S. Americans. Mexicans perceived themselves to be too polite and sophisticated to tell U.S. Americans to their face that their behavior was boorish. Mexicans tend to view humans as a mixture of good and evil. Masks protect ones dignity. Octavio Paz- a Mexican is a person who shuts himself away to protect himself; his face is a mask and so is his smile.

Slide 17

Communication Style Nonverbal communication is important in most if not all cultures. In Mexico, gestures, facial expressions, glances, posture, and clothing all reveal important facets of the culture. Greetings and salutations take a long time and are often full of hand-shakes, hugs, kisses, and pats on the back. There is more physical contact between members of the same sex in Mexico than in the U.S. Men greet each other with an abrazo (embrace) whereas women may kiss on the cheek. Mexicans employ more physical closeness and smaller interpersonal distances than their counterparts in the U.S.

Slide 18

Communication Style Cont.. U.S. Americans may withdraw from Mexicans communicating emotional or social distance. Rhythms are different between U.S. Americans and Mexicans. Neat clothing and appearance show respect. In Mexico, clothing and jewelry are representative of the countrys great ethnic diversity. Type of dress indicates a persons region or ethnic background. Conversation is an art in Mexico, and the manner in which things are said is as important as what is said.

Slide 19

Communication Style Cont.. Cultures differ in the importance they place on words to convey information. Context is important to Mexicans. Meetings often become social events. There is a lot of emotion and passion in conversations. The language often says more than it means. Ex: mi casa es su casa. Encantado enchanted to meet you.

Slide 20

Education and Training The emphasis in the schools has been on theoretical concepts and social competence. Intellectual pursuits such as philosophy, science, and the arts are important, whereas practical applications are largely ignored. In recent years, there has been an increase in the importance of practical training.

Slide 21

The Emphasis on Religion Religious Fiestas Carnival Feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe Holy Week Family Fiestas Non-religious Fiestas Quinceaera

Slide 22

What God Wills What God Wills, happens Common expression si Dios nos presta el tiempo Nature over people Death Day of the Dead Bullfighting

Slide 23

Effects of Machismo Manliness and Masculinity Children Unfaithfulness

Slide 24

Experiencing the Present Life for the present Mexican Time Finding Happiness Work

Slide 25

Freedom within the Social Order Hierarchal Tu versus Usted Family roles Other stratifications

Slide 26

Chaos in Structure Roman Catholic Church Fiestas

Slide 27

The Russian Ballet

Slide 28

Slide 29

The Four Civilizations of Russia 1 st Period 12 th century Tartars or Mongols invaded and ruled the area for of 400 years 2 nd Period 18 th century Peter the Great Westernized Russia while running out Asian influences Created navy to facilitate trade

Slide 30

3 rd Period 1917 Moved from czar rule to communism WWII 4 th Period 1992 Capitalism & Freedoms Corruption

Slide 31

Vladimir Putin Became President in 2000 Saw economic improvement due to oil and gas reserves Movement to begin taking away freedoms Possible Economic Turmoil on horizon

Slide 32

Echelons of the ballet Prima Ballerina Director, Set Designer, and Costume Designer Managers under Director Corps de Ballet Supporting Musicians and Technicians

Slide 33

Prima Ballerina Prominent star of the troupe Born with natural gift of virtuosity and inner beauty not just years of practice Most famous personality in ballet Viewed as a national hero Not highest paid but receive privileges

Slide 34

Director and Designers Revered for their titles Admired and considered for personal accomplishments and reputations

Slide 35

Managers Production, stage, wardrobe, and company directors Musical directors Dance captains Looked at to take over their superiors jobs

Slide 36

Corps de Ballet Largest of all the groups Members of the core dance group

Slide 37

Support Musicians and Technicians Specialize from lighting to makeup

Slide 38

Russian Ballet Sense of dignity and composure Distinct from other ballets due to singular innovations and pursuit of perfection Used to escape a mundane existence Similar to the Mexican Fiesta

Slide 39

Russian Culture Shoppers bargain clerks to lower prices Disobeying laws Gift givers

Slide 40

Vodka Pastime Drunkenness is socially acceptable Entertainment Cope with years of suffering and hardship Alcoholism Leads to premature death

Slide 41

Realism High value on contacts Favors Belief of Russian superiority bluffing

Slide 42

Qualities Perceived as serious, cold, and unexpressive False Front Adds to the drama of Russian culture Private vs. Public Public Careful and Passive Private Honest and Direct

Slide 43

History 12 th century 17 century 1917 1992 communist era Tartar (Mongol) invasion & Ottoman conquest of Constantinople Self sufficiency Invaders Citizens service to the state Rulers limited foreign influence

Slide 44

The Russian Soul Desire for distance so that the culture can be preserved, as it has been for so long. Intense feeling, emotion, sentiment, & sensitivity Winter & the Russian Soul Values decency, respect, honesty, and moral goodness. Influences the arts. (ballet) (literature)

Slide 45

The Russian Ballet Daily training & discipline Attention to dancing Members are mutually dependent Dancers view of themselves Inspiration comes from the Russian Soul

Slide 46

A Contact Culture What is a contact culture? Development Climate Geography Resourcefulness & Strength Climate Geography

Slide 47

Culture Patience Company and Conversations Human compassion & commitment Emotionality is a positive attribute Guilt is factor in emotionality Parenting Russian-made toys

Slide 48

Shame & Guilt Public shaming is central to Russian system Collective responsibility for children, which is shown through overprotection Kosinkas Swaddling Collective emphasis

Slide 49

Education Respect & humbleness All should follow a strong leader, without doubts. Student discussion is discourage as well as individual thought Educational systems purpose

Slide 50

Group Ethic Originated from the Mir Informal local government Handled many issues Collective behavior High scores on gender egalitarianism, group collectiveness, assertiveness Low scores on performance orientation, future orientation, acceptance of risk, uncertainty avoidance

Slide 51

Chinas Great Wall Chinas Great Wall And Cross-Cultural Paradox

Slide 52

Recent History China has been undergoing massive changes starting back in the 1970s New government mixing communism and free enterprise Economy has grown rapidly and GNP supposed to pass the U.S by 2025 Economic inequality has also grown Undergoing the largest transition from rural to urban population Farmers moved from government owned land

Slide 53

International Monetary Fund China 109 th economy on per capita basis 60% of exports generated by non-Chinese companies Will soon surpass U.S. as No. 1 emitter of greenhouse gases 70% of lakes and rivers are polluted Half of the population without clean drinking water

Slide 54

Transition from Mao Tse Tung government to more modern ways Tried to get rid of Confusionism China has changed dramatically since 1978 Transportation Living conditions Eating habits

Slide 55

Cultural Paradox Describing any culture is difficult but is extremely difficult to describe Chinese culture Even the Chinese have difficulty explaining themselves High-context communicators Discrimination Western negotiators describe Chinese as both sincere and deceptive

Slide 56

Three explanations of Chinese Paradox The long, tortuous, and complex history The influence of Confucian thought on Chinese behavior The Chinese perspective on war and the marketplace

Slide 57

The Great Wall: Long, Tortuous, and Complex History The Great Wall is 4,474 miles First Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang began construction by restoring the ruins of older walls and linking them with new construction Resulted in 3,000 mile wall Ward off invaders; ended up settling and trading with locals

Slide 58

Qin Dynasty fell in peasant revolt; Han dynasty arose 85% of Chinese classified as Han Only about 400 Chinese family names Extended wall 300 miles; providing protection for silk road traders Added beacon towers; used smoke signals

Slide 59

Ming Dynasty extended wall to current length China at height of its power; referenced as the Middle Kingdom Center of the Earth

Slide 60

Periods of tranquility and also periods of extreme social unrest The Wall has served the Chinese well and preserved their culture Long-term perspective due to their long history

Slide 61

Exemplifies a torn culture, due to extreme governments since 1900 Steadily growing since new government in 1978 Shanghai combines best of U.S., Asian, and European architecture Becoming more modern city of the future

Slide 62

Confucianism & Taoism Confucian thought- Jen, Chuntzu, Li, Te, Wen Taoism Lao Tzu Tao Te Ching

Slide 63

Languages Culture linked to language Language dialect English vs. Chinese

Slide 64

Sun Tzu The Art of War Market place Fang