2/16/2021
Week 7 Response
to “Differences in Manners Blog Submission”
Here are some of
the examples of how other cultures, ethnic, diversities do things differently
as their manners. Let me start in my own country the Philippines there are 134
ethnic group in the Philippines one of those is where I belong in what they
called Ilonggo, Ilonggo people are loving and very soft-spoken because of that,
others can’t notice if they get angry or not but if you can hear a wonderful and sarcastic response it is the sign that they’re not okay with you. In contrast,
the Karay-A ethnic group if two friends meet, they insult one with another seems
they quarrel with each other but the truth is they’re just a close friend and miss
each other.
According to brother Ivers a teacher at BYU-Idaho
in America, In America you don’t kneel when you eat, they also place their arms
and hands under the table but in other places rests arms on top of the table, extended
forward. In Japan, they tend to sit down on the low tables and cushions on a tatami floor. Shoes and slippers have to be removed before stepping on tatami you
don’t need to stepping, other’s cushions as an etiquette. In Japan, you need to wait for everyone before starting to eat and bring their hands together, as in prayer and
say, “Itadakimasu” it shows respect and gratitude to the one who serves you food
to eat. Similarly, after you finish eating, you need to say this phrase “gochiso-sama
deshita” to express appreciation which means ‘thank you it was delicious.’ In Japan, they really care about how people react during mealtime. In some countries, they don’t
care. In Japan, it is not good to stare at anyone, especially to women very near to
them for 2-4 minutes especially turning around your seat and staring others
behind you closer to their face. Unlike in Bolivia. So, when you encounter a
Bolivian people and she/he will stare at you for a couple of minutes it is okay
with their culture nothing bad about It. In the United States, they openly yawn,
laugh, and talk without covering their mouth also in the Philippines unlike in Japan
they always cover their mouth while laughing, and yawning.
One thing that the Philippines
people consider that is bad- manners is tapping your sons/daughters head
because they believe the head is important where the brain is present and if you tapping
so strong the head of your son/daughter it will make him/her slow or unintelligent.
It is also a sign of disrespect. In contrast, in Japan, if tapping heads means
you love, care, and proud of what he is doing. If you are not aware of this you
will probably get hurt. In Japan, they are careful in making noise to show
respect to their neighbors but in the Philippines, it is okay if you will play loud music especially if they’re celebrating a birthday party it is understood
to their neighbors that they are having fun.
As a TESOL teacher, you can utilize this knowledge about the ‘Differences in Manners’ in your
students. You can better understand that there are inexpressive and expressive
cultural differences. You can be able to have patience and tolerance towards
your students.
Gerwin, I think it is super interesting how there are several cultural differences within the Philippines. Are there sometimes misunderstandings between those ethnicity groups when they encounter each other?
ReplyDeleteAlso, it seems that Japan and the Philippines have many differences in what is considered acceptable. How do you know these so well? Have you lived in Japan before?
-Bruna Azevedo
Hi Bruna, great observation. I grew up in one of the most diverse islands of the Philippines-the Mindanao. Even the sub-cultures there are so varied that they distinctly different from each other. Picture out a Chinese cultured on the border and Muslim on the other. The neighboring islands could be Spanish or any other Ethic minority groups. I believe there have been a lot of struggles to unify these cultures as a country, but We come together as a nation in so many unique ways. We have zero crime rate when we watch Manny Pacquio's boxing fight, people take pride of our love for the country and forget we are an archipelago of 7641 islands. Those islands are a lot to count with 104 million inhabitants. We celebrate Christmas and give love each other every day. The wasn't perfect but if you visit the country You will that strangers are treated well an well taken cared of by providing shelter and offered them food to best the Filipinos can. I think Filipinos are unified in terms of hospitality and congeniality. Manners are almost semilar too from islands to islands with their own unique elements developed over time. Lastly, when Filipinos meet outside the country like working abroad, we shake hands or hug each other and talk to each other as a family members even meeting them for the first time. I also lived in Japan, another great culture here is worthy of emulation. Japanese are very respect of people. They are more sensitive of criticisms and they take pride of their culture being nature loving, family-centered and respects equality. Although Japan has heirarchal form of socio relation, people believed that they must attend to that social callings and status to served their people with harmony.
DeleteHi Bruna, thank you for visiting my blog, I'm a Filipina I used to live in Japan for 6 years. Filipino culture are known to their hospitability and friendly if the different ethnic group gathered there's no problem about it. They still called themselves "Kabayan" which means "from my country" "my friends" "my family"
DeleteHi Gerwin,
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the examples that you gave. I didn't know about the differences between Philippines and Japan. I agree with you about the importance of these issues to be more tolerant. Thank you for sharing your insights.
You're welcome. Glad you learned something new in my blog. Take care!
DeleteGreat!
ReplyDeleteThank you for these information Gerwin. They are helpful not just for the teachers.
ReplyDelete