Chapter 3 Culture

There are eight dimensions of China’s natural culture, some of these aspects include power distance, individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, long-term orientation, context, and communication. In this post I will touch on the power distance culture. I’ve always lived in the U.S. and never experienced a power distance culture. In China there are the rich and the poor, the rich feel inclined to push around the working class while the poor are unwilling to cross the power distance line. I’ve been able to witness and partake in the power distance culture at a family style meal. The father or the highest respect individual sits in the back and orders for everyone. It is very disrespectful for anyone to place an order or make suggestions due to the power the father has. In my case, I went to family style restaurants with the Strothers multiple times. We always let the Strothers sit in the back and order for everyone. One of the biggest things I’ve learned in China is that you always want get dinner with the Strothers. Just a few nights ago Professor Stuart Strother, Babatunde, Brandon, and I had a hot pepper challenge. After 8 peppers Babatunde was laying on the ground, Strother was crying while he was chugging ice tea, and Brandyn and I were determined to win the challenge. After 12 peppers I waved the white flag, but this is a typical dinner with the Strothers. Sadly, I know my dinners with my fellow employees won’t be the same nonetheless, I feel prepared for the diffrent cultures I will be experiencing. This is a photo of a typical family style meal setting. In this case the Strother's took us to a traditional duck restaurant and we feasted on duck.