2 posts due Dec. 27

Question they both answered was: 1. Reflect on a vivid cultural experience you’ve had outside the country (if you haven’t been out of the country, you may use a domestic experience where you were immersed in, or exposed to, a very different culture). Using the anthropological lens you developed during class, has your interpretation of that experience changed? How so? Give a specific example. (for these answers – I chose a different question and I HAVE NEVER been out of the country)

Jordan:

When living in Beijing China, there were many instances that I seen different cultures taking place. With using the anthropological lens, my interpretation of my experiences have changed. When I was living there, I didn't really question anything. Or think about how and why their culture or life style is so dramatically different from the life I had in the states. I supposed it changed, due to the fact that I am thinking about how they came to be. Such as how their language has developed over time. And how is it considered to be one of the most difficult languages to learn. Or the archeology of their past. From looking at the city and seeing modern buildings then to seeing old Chinese temples in the city. The past isn't forgotten because the buildings are still there, right down the street from the modern ones. One of the things I thought was interesting, on my way to school I would always pass these old ladies all in lines dancing to music. I always thought it was a bit strange.But culturally that is a cultural norm. Another interesting cultural observation I seen was doing Chinese New Year, for the entire month they release fire works all day and all night. Its just like one giant party all month long. And for every family the youngest child receives money. My friend Connie received about 30,000 yuan from her entire family combined. With each of these cultural differences I experienced they all seem to be past down from generation to generation. They feel strongly about traditions and family bonding.

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Cory:

I going to use one of the situations that I came into with while I was serving in the Army while I was deployed we did man different types of missions and met with many different people on a day to day basis. Most of these encounters were just casual in nature and didn't really have any true meaning besides letting the locals know that we were there and wanting to help them out. I recall this one time though we had to go and do a meeting with the village elder while in Afghanistan to talk about things that were taking place in his village. We have met with this same elder many times but never in a formal sit down type of meeting. When we arrived all of the men took their shoes off which I had seen many times and the little boys started to bring out the chi tea and what not. but I had never noticed until this particular meeting that the elder didn't sit until we had sat then all the other males that were attending the meeting sat after the elder. At the time I dint really think to much about it at all but now that I have taken this class and understand more about culture and how it really works I know that it was not only a sign of respect to the elder but also a big part of the culture. Village elders play a very large role in how things get done in Afghanistan and nothing happens with in a village with out the elders permission so a lot of the things that I really didn't think about to much now really come to make more sense to me after this class.