Cultural frames

Chapter 4 blog


Cultural frames were one of theories in the book and it mentioned that it was "structures we impose on reality based on our background and experience. Some things I noticed in the German cultural frame was their public displays of emotion were different then the United States culture. For example, when asking for a drink or meal it was almost always a serious tone of voice for the Germans. But what we are used to in America is someone that would smile and ask you what you want. I also think that this must do with tips in general where in America you would be paid for performance so that means smiling all the time. Where in Germany you get paid a set wage and really don't have to worry about being paid if you were frank and quick about it you will keep your job. I think I would act very similar if I was a server and was paid on a salary rather than performance base. I don't believe that we are all that different in that aspect. In some ways, the Germans feel more genuine in their display of emotions at least as far as serving goes. For example, we go up to a bar and smiling, we ask for a drink he looks at us in a content (not smiling just normal face) and confirms, he speaks a little bit of English and then we mention a joke on how bad our German was and they laugh because it’s true. They seem more business oriented and I think the content face is the best way to go about it in case someone is having a bad day or even a good day you can't really offend anyone this way.  In the book, it mentioned perspective talking where it was " our ability to think within the perspective of another". I think the example above where if you are paid a salary then why be a try hard to impress everyone when you don't need to. It just makes more sense to be content with what you are doing and do a good job of it. It's different for Americans though because I don't think we could have a conversation with the waiter because of the language barrier and I think that gives them a view of being dull and boring but really, it’s because they can't express themselves because the way Germans express themselves might be different then how Americans express themselves where Germans might be able to use language to do it and Americans may use more Body Language?  Looking at the book Germans and Americans are considered Low-Context culture which means "words are the focused and we are supposed to say what we mean". Well theirs that language barrier and I think Germans and Americans are more similar then we think. Both cultures classified as  Monochromic where USA /Germany has its history in progress, industrial revolution, and focused on efficiency and schedules. We both have similar goals and I don't think there is much of a difference just the context on how they do things are different so it appears that they are strangers.

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