5TH BLOG POST - a joke is a very serious thing |
Recently, I have read an article (here) about humor across cultures. I want to shortly share the information with you, because it relates with the topic of previous lesson – culture dimensions (individualism/collectivism; low/high uncertainty avoidance; low/high power distance).
Joking is a universal thing, isn't it? Jokes allow us to address taboo subjects in a playful way. But on the other hand, the sense of humor and humor itself varies between cultures.
I want to give a vivid example – in 2005 one of Danish newspapers posted cartoons about the Prophet Muhammad. (here) Some of those cartoons offended Danish Imam, it provoke indignation in parts of the Arab world. In a while another more offensive cartoon (here) was added and falsely bond with the same newspaper. It caused demonstrations in the Arab world with burning Danish flags (here). What in the beginning was pure joke, ended with huge diplomatic trouble.
So is there any way to know if and how to joke around people from different countries/cultures? There kind of is, cultural dimensions can help us to deal with unpleasant situations.
Individualism (low context) vs. collectivism (high context)
Edward Hall describes high-context cultures as those who communicate directly, non-verbally and implicitly. So low-context cultures communicate explicitly, verbally and directly.
The outcome is that – individual culture will be the major joke producers, while collectivism cultures will adopt more implicit and contextual ways of humor.
Low power distance vs. high power distance
In the countries where power distance is high, people tend not to see themselves as leaders; they live in a separate world. While in higher power distance cultures everyone is perceived equally.
I would conclude, that in higher power distance cultures it’s forbidden to joke about leaders, dictators and so on, but it is not quite true.
Even if the hierarchy is strict, people tend to joke about leaders. As it’s written in the article, it is like healthy skepticism about their political system. The main difference in particular culture dimension is that in countries with high power distance you should be careful where and whom you tell the jokes.
Low uncertainty avoidance vs. high uncertainty avoidance
Cultures with High uncertainty avoidance prefer formality and social norms are very strict, so the humor should be the same – only allowed in the right place and moment (and appropriate context). In the same time cultures with high uncertainty would stay tolerant and calm whatever happens.
If we talk about Low uncertainty avoidance then those cultures prefer informal norms and behaviors instead. It means that few jokes wouldn't bother.
To conclude everything joking can be risky if you deal with a culture of collectivism, large power distance and high uncertainty avoidance, because there people are quick to take offence at anything out of the norm.
In Latvia
As an example I can (of course) describe Latvian humor.
We are individualists, and indeed we like to joke a lot – black humor, sarcasm, stereotypical jokes etc.
We live more in dimension of low power distance, so we joke a lot about our president, government and politicians; we even have a television show “Everything is OK in our country”, where the main topics are always about the dumb things Latvian politicians have done.
We avoid uncertainty a lot, so before you make a joke in Latvia, it’s better to think if it’s an appropriate moment and if we will catch the funny part of the joke, otherwise dealing with an uncomfortable silence will be the outcome.
I hope I have shown you that joking across cultures should be taken seriously, so don’t be shy to share opinion about my blog and humor in your country.
Joking is a universal thing, isn't it? Jokes allow us to address taboo subjects in a playful way. But on the other hand, the sense of humor and humor itself varies between cultures.
I want to give a vivid example – in 2005 one of Danish newspapers posted cartoons about the Prophet Muhammad. (here) Some of those cartoons offended Danish Imam, it provoke indignation in parts of the Arab world. In a while another more offensive cartoon (here) was added and falsely bond with the same newspaper. It caused demonstrations in the Arab world with burning Danish flags (here). What in the beginning was pure joke, ended with huge diplomatic trouble.
So is there any way to know if and how to joke around people from different countries/cultures? There kind of is, cultural dimensions can help us to deal with unpleasant situations.
Individualism (low context) vs. collectivism (high context)
Edward Hall describes high-context cultures as those who communicate directly, non-verbally and implicitly. So low-context cultures communicate explicitly, verbally and directly.
The outcome is that – individual culture will be the major joke producers, while collectivism cultures will adopt more implicit and contextual ways of humor.
Low power distance vs. high power distance
In the countries where power distance is high, people tend not to see themselves as leaders; they live in a separate world. While in higher power distance cultures everyone is perceived equally.
I would conclude, that in higher power distance cultures it’s forbidden to joke about leaders, dictators and so on, but it is not quite true.
Even if the hierarchy is strict, people tend to joke about leaders. As it’s written in the article, it is like healthy skepticism about their political system. The main difference in particular culture dimension is that in countries with high power distance you should be careful where and whom you tell the jokes.
Low uncertainty avoidance vs. high uncertainty avoidance
Cultures with High uncertainty avoidance prefer formality and social norms are very strict, so the humor should be the same – only allowed in the right place and moment (and appropriate context). In the same time cultures with high uncertainty would stay tolerant and calm whatever happens.
If we talk about Low uncertainty avoidance then those cultures prefer informal norms and behaviors instead. It means that few jokes wouldn't bother.
To conclude everything joking can be risky if you deal with a culture of collectivism, large power distance and high uncertainty avoidance, because there people are quick to take offence at anything out of the norm.
In Latvia
As an example I can (of course) describe Latvian humor.
We are individualists, and indeed we like to joke a lot – black humor, sarcasm, stereotypical jokes etc.
We live more in dimension of low power distance, so we joke a lot about our president, government and politicians; we even have a television show “Everything is OK in our country”, where the main topics are always about the dumb things Latvian politicians have done.
We avoid uncertainty a lot, so before you make a joke in Latvia, it’s better to think if it’s an appropriate moment and if we will catch the funny part of the joke, otherwise dealing with an uncomfortable silence will be the outcome.
I hope I have shown you that joking across cultures should be taken seriously, so don’t be shy to share opinion about my blog and humor in your country.
Unfortunately I did not get any comments from members of the group, because I hoped to find out whether in way of extending the cultural dimension to humor they get would have some clarity about the way people are making jokes in their country and others as well.
4TH BLOG POST - what the parents are thinking about? |
"Few weeks ago we spoke about names and their meanings. It made me remember that every year in Latvia there is an article about funny names registered.
For example, there are names like:
Adverts (from the word „advertising”);
Atoms (word „atom”);
Staļina (from the surname of Joseph Stalin who was the dictator of the Soviet Union);
Galaktions (from the word Galaxy);
Iluminate (from the word „illuminati”);
Fortunate (from the word „fortune”);
Žikivators [zhikivator] (I don’t know where the hell they found a name like this)
etc.
However, what I want to empathize with this blog, is that in my opinion the name of the person is more than important and it should not be just silly caprice of parents.
+ most of these words are anglicisms, directly taken from English with added common endings of Latvian words.
So it makes me wonder - does the person with this kind of name will really feel himself/herself Latvian?
Even more – it was so lovely to get to know the roots of my name in the lesson. I don’t think that I would feel thrilled to get to know that I have named in honor of dictator of Soviet Union or something even worse."
For example, there are names like:
Adverts (from the word „advertising”);
Atoms (word „atom”);
Staļina (from the surname of Joseph Stalin who was the dictator of the Soviet Union);
Galaktions (from the word Galaxy);
Iluminate (from the word „illuminati”);
Fortunate (from the word „fortune”);
Žikivators [zhikivator] (I don’t know where the hell they found a name like this)
etc.
However, what I want to empathize with this blog, is that in my opinion the name of the person is more than important and it should not be just silly caprice of parents.
+ most of these words are anglicisms, directly taken from English with added common endings of Latvian words.
So it makes me wonder - does the person with this kind of name will really feel himself/herself Latvian?
Even more – it was so lovely to get to know the roots of my name in the lesson. I don’t think that I would feel thrilled to get to know that I have named in honor of dictator of Soviet Union or something even worse."
Jitka: :D Fortunatelly not! :D That's crazy :D I heard that some Hollywood celebrities do it - name their daughter "Apple" etc., but I never thought that common citizen would do it :D The world is definitelly going crazy, I'm just waiting, when this fashion comes to Czech Republic, OMG! :-O :D
As I already empathized in my blog, I would really hate a name that has senseless or absurd meaning. I think that this is quite wrong step from the side of parents to identify their children with dictators who have made such a transience.
3RD BLOG POST - courage to be yourself in Latvia |
"Last time we talked about identity´s models. One of those was sexual identity. As I emphasize last time – in Latvia pubicly annoyncing that You are homosexual is a big step in her/his social life and most of the time reaction from society is negative.
Just recently (yesterday) there was a case, which is now widly discussed in Latvia and in Europe as well. Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs has revealed he is gay in a tweet posted in English to his 14,000 followers. And here is his tweet “Our country has to create a legal status for all kinds of partner relationships, and I will fight for this. I know that there will quickly be mega-hysteria, but #proudtobegay. ”
This has really made as he said “ mega-hysteria” , bacause now mostly everyone has some kind of reaction or opinion. News are full of this announcement (actually not only latvian news). This has been posted in English as well. The president of Estonia as well as lithuanian foreign minister expressed their support in the step of latvian foreign minister.
But what I want to talk about is the reaction of society. Many describes minister`s step as courage, heroism, historical moment, step to tolerance. It made me think if it is really like that – to be Yourself in Latvia You have to have courage?
So as You can guess if You are heterosexual or so it called straight in Latvia, you are in higher position as homosexuals or so it called gays.
Of course from my point of view I hope that this will change. Because I realise how serious it is if in media You can read about latvian archbishop saying so mean thing “ Homosexual relationships are destroying our human identity”
I really hope that this situation is not the same in your countries and citizens can express their identities in any way they want."
Just recently (yesterday) there was a case, which is now widly discussed in Latvia and in Europe as well. Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs has revealed he is gay in a tweet posted in English to his 14,000 followers. And here is his tweet “Our country has to create a legal status for all kinds of partner relationships, and I will fight for this. I know that there will quickly be mega-hysteria, but #proudtobegay. ”
This has really made as he said “ mega-hysteria” , bacause now mostly everyone has some kind of reaction or opinion. News are full of this announcement (actually not only latvian news). This has been posted in English as well. The president of Estonia as well as lithuanian foreign minister expressed their support in the step of latvian foreign minister.
But what I want to talk about is the reaction of society. Many describes minister`s step as courage, heroism, historical moment, step to tolerance. It made me think if it is really like that – to be Yourself in Latvia You have to have courage?
So as You can guess if You are heterosexual or so it called straight in Latvia, you are in higher position as homosexuals or so it called gays.
Of course from my point of view I hope that this will change. Because I realise how serious it is if in media You can read about latvian archbishop saying so mean thing “ Homosexual relationships are destroying our human identity”
I really hope that this situation is not the same in your countries and citizens can express their identities in any way they want."
Jitka: And why has he announced that right now? All of sudden? Is there some story in background? Yes, I think until homosexuals feel the need to announce something like this, it`s a proof that our society is not still fine with it, that heterosexuals are still a dominant group. Because if we would be fine with it, they would have no reason to announce it. I am heterosexual and I don`t feel the need to tell anybody, state/show off that I like boys. I hope we all will be fine with it one day and there will be no need for anybody to announce what gender he is interested in... And for Czech Republic I feel it is the same - you have to have the courage to be yourself... sad...
Daira: Actually there is some background information. I don't know 100% of it, but as far as I know there is now negotiations going on about draft law in relation to the rights of homosexuals, but I don't know nothing more.
Either way, I agree with You that announcing Your sexual identity is wrong..it's only mean that something is going wrong.
Daira: Actually there is some background information. I don't know 100% of it, but as far as I know there is now negotiations going on about draft law in relation to the rights of homosexuals, but I don't know nothing more.
Either way, I agree with You that announcing Your sexual identity is wrong..it's only mean that something is going wrong.
Unfortunately, this is not the only case like this in Latvia. It happens a lot and I'm really sad about this, because I believe that people should be different and should be proud of that, because it's their identity, it is what they are. And if we are hiding the truth then we are not living our own lives. I have watched videos where people saying cruel things about homosexuals and I really don't know how it's possible to deal with this issue, if people are not even listening and seeing that the only thing that is wrong on this planet is their attitude.
2ND BLOG POST - iceberg of Latvian culture |
"I want to share with You the Iceberg model of Latvian culture. I tried to make it as detailed as possible, but still there are so many things that stayed out of this picture just because it's hard to put culture in one page :)
I know that You probably won't have any opinion about Latvians in general, but maybe You can just look at this model and say if I'm typical Latvian :D"
I know that You probably won't have any opinion about Latvians in general, but maybe You can just look at this model and say if I'm typical Latvian :D"
Jitka: I don't know yet, I'll tell you more at the end of the semester :) But you know what I'm interested in? Your note about "not comfortable about small talks". Well, what do you say when you meet somebody new? You start talking about very intimate things? :-O You must be very unhappy at Erasmus :D I think Erasmus is with some people only about small talks :-O :D But I understand you very well :))
Daira: No, it's not like that. We don't like to talk with strangers at all, for example, in elevators or buses. We just don't think that it's necessary.. And for me it's ok to have small talks now. OF course in the beginning it was hard, but now I'm starting the small talks myself :)
Daira: No, it's not like that. We don't like to talk with strangers at all, for example, in elevators or buses. We just don't think that it's necessary.. And for me it's ok to have small talks now. OF course in the beginning it was hard, but now I'm starting the small talks myself :)
I have to say openly that I had never look at Latvia from this point of view, I was aware of mostly everything I put in this Latvian culture iceberg, but I have never divided the visible parts from invisible ones. As I live inside of this Iceberg starting from my birth, everything seems visible to me, what is not the case if I go abroad. So I think it is very helpful to be aware of Your own culture Iceberg in case the need of explanation to other becomes in need. However as much important is trying to be aware of other cultures visible/invisible parts of the culture.
1ST BLOG POST - too much attention given |
Being in other country means dealing with other culture. There are lot of things that differs between Latvia and Portugal. One of that is too much attention given from the opposite sex. I share my experience to get to know if other students have noticed this and what is their response.
“Being in Portugal for this month has been a memorable experience and I want to share it with you all as well.
During the last weeks in Portugal I often had been confronted with peculiar attention from opposite sex. Whistles and shouts from passing cars, intrusive eye gaze and naughty smiles. (Admittedly, younger men in this case is more withheld and polite, which could not be said about the mature age men.) I assume that the locals have become accustomed to such... I would say “system”, while for newcomers, this kind of attention can lead to discomfort and culture shock. Speaking for myself, I have to admit that at first it seemed a bit strange and amusing and sometimes even funny, but after a few weeks it became tedious and frustrating.
As you probably understood, in Latvia it is not accepted. (Just like kissing on the cheeks with strangers :D). Anyway, I want to add something positive - I have heard stories that in Turkey, for example, if someone finds You attractive, they can kidnap You right on the street (not that it’s allowed). While no one has yet tried to drag me in the bus with tinted windows, I'm happy to be in Portugal. :)”
During the last weeks in Portugal I often had been confronted with peculiar attention from opposite sex. Whistles and shouts from passing cars, intrusive eye gaze and naughty smiles. (Admittedly, younger men in this case is more withheld and polite, which could not be said about the mature age men.) I assume that the locals have become accustomed to such... I would say “system”, while for newcomers, this kind of attention can lead to discomfort and culture shock. Speaking for myself, I have to admit that at first it seemed a bit strange and amusing and sometimes even funny, but after a few weeks it became tedious and frustrating.
As you probably understood, in Latvia it is not accepted. (Just like kissing on the cheeks with strangers :D). Anyway, I want to add something positive - I have heard stories that in Turkey, for example, if someone finds You attractive, they can kidnap You right on the street (not that it’s allowed). While no one has yet tried to drag me in the bus with tinted windows, I'm happy to be in Portugal. :)”
Rosy: Eu ajo que aqui em Faro sim deu pra notar como os minimos fican falando mais cousas ou asubiando para as mininas. Na Espanha tambem acontece isto, para nos e algo ja comun, mais sim que e verdade que nao deberiamos permitir ja que e uma actitude irrespetuosa de cara a mulher.
Joana: You must go to Brazil! There you will see what is a real "attention given". I'm very surprise here in Portugal, because I can walk in streets using a small shorts and nobody say nothing, or just a fell persons. In Brasil I can't walk in streets with the shorts that I'm using here.
Naomi: This does happen here in Portugal and it is quite disturbing some times. What I do when this happens to me is just ignore and pretend nothing happened, because I really don't know what else to do or say and that is what my dad told me to do. I believe this is a subject to be talked about, give each other ideas of what we could do in these situations, help each other out.
Jitka: It`s strange for me to read this Daira, I have not met such situation since I am here or not in such a huge amount (I mean the whistling etc.). Yes, men give me here more attention than I`m used to in the Czech Republic, but they are being rather nice, gentlemen and gallant than lewd/obscene like you describe, so I really enjoy it. Yes, sometimes someone whistles but I think the number of whistling men here is the same as in my home country so I don`t feel the difference in this issue. :)
Joana: You must go to Brazil! There you will see what is a real "attention given". I'm very surprise here in Portugal, because I can walk in streets using a small shorts and nobody say nothing, or just a fell persons. In Brasil I can't walk in streets with the shorts that I'm using here.
Naomi: This does happen here in Portugal and it is quite disturbing some times. What I do when this happens to me is just ignore and pretend nothing happened, because I really don't know what else to do or say and that is what my dad told me to do. I believe this is a subject to be talked about, give each other ideas of what we could do in these situations, help each other out.
Jitka: It`s strange for me to read this Daira, I have not met such situation since I am here or not in such a huge amount (I mean the whistling etc.). Yes, men give me here more attention than I`m used to in the Czech Republic, but they are being rather nice, gentlemen and gallant than lewd/obscene like you describe, so I really enjoy it. Yes, sometimes someone whistles but I think the number of whistling men here is the same as in my home country so I don`t feel the difference in this issue. :)
I agree with girls that somewhere else this situation is even worse, but for me in the beginning this attention from opposite sex was really not acceptable. Now (after 3,5 months spent in Portugal) I’m used to it and it’s nothing special. And as Naomi emphasized—the best reaction is to ignore and do nothing, because I have to accept that in Portugal mentality differs for the one I used to in Latvia.