ESL 21b

Essay 1.2

Intercultural Conflicts

Each country has its own cultural values, beliefs, communication styles, and concepts of time. "People who grow up in a particular culture share certain values and assumption," by Gary Althen. It's really easy to get into a conflict when you're visiting a foreign country because of intercultural differences and misunderstandings. India has its own cultural differences too. Even in India people have different cultural beliefs in different part of the country. The two I think which people will get into conflict with is the way which people dress in India and keeping distance between people.

The first intercultural difference is the way people dress in India. People in India tend to wear clothes that cover their whole body specially the women. Younger girl can wear anything they like to wear. As the age changes the dressing style changes too. The teen girls wear anything but reveling clothes. Married woman covers her head this way you know she is married. Widows in India wear whit traditional suits or any light color suit. Foreign visitor should keep the dress code in mind.

In addition to dressing, keeping distance or space between people is very important. People in India keep their relationships private. Also guy keep distance from ladies. In India kissing and holding hands are consider obscene or disrespectful. A foreigner must not approach a girl or women when she is standing alone if they do approach someone try to keep 1-2ft distance between. Even walking by a girl and saying hi could get u in trouble, people thinks you are flirting with her. "The superficial friendliness for which Americans are so well known is relate to their informal, egalitarian approach to other people. 'Hi!' they will say to just about anyone. This behavior reflects not so much a special interest in the person address as a concern for showing that one is a regular guy," by Gary Althen. If they don't people might around you think you're messing with her and then you might get into fight with them.

Cultural differences can create a lot of conflicts when you're visiting a foreign country. When visiting India keep the dress code and distance between people. Keeping these two in mind will avoid half of the conflict in mind. People in India are excepting to new ideas and foreign visitors, but older people have problem excepting them. Every culture has its own unique tradition and beliefs.