Understanding Global Cultures

Preface: Understanding Cultures in Depth Part I. Introduction Chapter 1. Understanding Cultural Metaphors Language Barriers Using Cultural Metaphors Constructing Cultural Metaphors Using Metaphor Reading and Using This Book A Two-Dimensional Typology of Cultures A Scaling Perspective Defining Culture or Identifying Its Determinants? When Culture Does, and Does Not, Matter Part II. Authority-Ranking Cultures Chapter 2. The Thai Kingdom Loose Vertical Hierarchy Freedom and Equality The Thai Smile Chapter 3. The Japanese Garden Corporate Cultures Garden as Metaphor Wa and Shikata Seishin Training Combining Droplets or Energies Aesthetics Similarities and Contrasts Chapter 4. Bedouin Jewelry and Saudi Arabia History and Geography The Desert Bedouins Bold Form Handcrafted Appearance Traditional Design Female Ownership Chapter 5. Don Ganh: The Two Sides of Vietnam History of Occupation The French Defeat and Division Into Two The Metaphor: The Dualities of Don Ganh Chapter 6. Kimchi and Korea South Korea Kimchi The 60th Birthday Strangers by Day, Lovers by Night Kimchi's Public Role The Irish of Asia Part III. Scandinavian Egalitarian Cultures Chapter 7. The Swedish Stuga Early History Modern Evolution Social Democracy The Swedish Summer Home Love of Untrammeled Nature and Tradition Individualism Through Self-Development Equality Chapter 8. The Finnish Sauna From Survival to Political and Economic Success Sauna: A Secular "Holy" Place of Equality Communication: Comfort With Quietude Chapter 9. The Danish Christmas Luncheon Interdependent Individualism Geographic Ambivalence Coziness Part IV. Other Egalitarian Cultures Chapter 10. The German Symphony Postwar Evolution The Symphony Orchestra Diversity of Musical Instruments Positional Arrangements of the Musicians Conductors and Leaders Precision and Synchronicity The Unfinished Symphony Chapter 11. Irish Conversations Early History English Oppression Identifying Links Intersection of Gaelic and English Prayer as Conversation A Free-Flowing Conversation: Irish Hospitality Places of Conversations: Irish Friends and Families Ending a Conversation Chapter 12. The Canadian Backpack and Flag Historical Background Egalitarianism and Outlook The Canadian Mosaic Canadians as Non-U.S. Americans Chapter 13. Australian Outdoor Recreational Activities Capturing the Imagination New Realities: Beyond Stereotypes Barbecue Equality Matching Among the Tall Poppies Chapter 14. French Wine Pureness Classification Composition Suitability The Maturation Process The Changing Portrait Part V. Market-Pricing Cultures Chapter 15. American Football The Tailgate Party Pregame and Halftime Entertainment Strategy and War Selection, the Training Camp, and the Playbook Individual Specialized Achievement Within the Team Structure Aggression, High Risks, and Unpredictable Outcomes Huddling The Church of Football and Celebrating Perfection Chapter 16. The Traditional British House The Traditional House History, Politics, Economics: Laying the Foundations Growing Up British: Building the House Being British: Living in the House Part VI. Cleft National Cultures Chapter 17. The Malaysian Balik Kampung Returning to Nearby Roots Authority Ranking Reinforcing Common Values Chapter 18. The Israeli Kibbutzim and Moshavim Zionism, Types of Judaism, and the Palestinians A New Country Continuous War Religious Conflict Explicit Values Size and Behavioral Outcomes Traumas, Worldview, and Personality Chapter 19. The Italian Opera North and South The Opera Metaphor The Overture Pageantry and Spectacle Voice Externalization Chorus and Soloists Chapter 20. Belgian Lace Wallonian Versus Flemish History of Lace A Land of Contrasts Control Cooperation and Harmony Part VII. Torn National Cultures Chapter 21. The Mexican Fiesta Historical Background The Mexican Fiesta Primary Focus on People The Emphasis on Religion Experiencing the Present Freedom Within the Social Order Chapter 22. The Turkish Coffeehouse A Unique History Islam and Secularity Recreation, Communication, and Community Integration A Male Domain A Modest Environment Life Outside the Coffeehouse Looking Ahead Part VIII. The Base Culture and Its Diffusion Across Borders (Clusters of Nations): The Example of China Chapter 23. China's Great Wall and Cross-Cultural Paradox The Great Wall: Long, Tortuous, and Complex History Confucianism and Taoism Sun Tzu, War, and the Marketplace Chapter 24. The Chinese Family Altar: The Expatriate Chinese Outside of China The Importance of Family The Expatriate Chinese Roundness Harmony Fluidity Chapter 25. The Singapore Hawker Centers Origins of the Hawker Centers Singapore's History Ethnic Diversity but Unity Efficiency The Power of Women Safety Synthesizing Traditional and New Values Part IX. India: Tradition, Modernity, and Diversity Chapter 26. India: The Dance of Shiva Shiva's Dance Indian Culture: Early History Cyclical Hindu Philosophy The Cycle of Life The Family Cycle The Cycle of Social Interaction The Work and Recreation (Rejuvenation) Cycle Chapter 27. India: A Kaleidoscope of Diversity The Kaleidoscope of Religions and Cultural Celebrations Images of Festivals and Feasts Cell Phones, Call Centers, and Curriculum: Images of Change The Changing Image of Cricket Part X. An African Perspective Chapter 28. The Nigerian Marketplace Diversity Social Dynamism Balancing Tradition and Change Chapter 29. South African Townships An Insider's View An Outsider's View Chapter 30. The Sub-Saharan African Bush Taxi Basic Operations A Short History of Africa African Time Orientation and Fatalism Communalism and Community Sharing Hierarchy in African Society: Seating Arrangements in the Bush Taxi Part XI. The Struggle for Cultural Identity and the Splintering of Nations: The Case of the Russian Empire Chapter 31. Russian Ballet An Apt Metaphor A Flourishing Art Echelons of the Ballet Drama and Realism The Russian Soul Chapter 32. Estonian Singing Lyrics, or the Painful History of the Proud Nation Vocalists, or Simple Pleasures Inspired by Nature Performance, or Singing as a Weapon Audience, or Estonia on the Global Stage Chapter 33. The Polish Village Church Historical Background Central Place of the Catholic Church The Partitioning and Polish Identity Survivors Part XII. Same Metaphor, Different Meanings Chapter 34. The Spanish Bullfight The Bullfight Begins Cuadrillas Sol y Sombra The Pompous Entrance Parade Audience Involvement The Ritual of the Bullfight Chapter 35. The Portuguese Bullfight Pride in Traditions Stratification Amid Unity Artistry and Human Gore Profitless Bravery Part XIII. Popular Music as Cultural Metaphors Chapter 36. The Brazilian Samba Evolution of the Samba Small-Step Circularity Physical Touch Undulation Spontaneous Escape Paradox of Dancers Chapter 37. The Argentine Tango The Tango's Evolution Tango Music and Composers The Dynamics of the Dance Tango Singers and Their Lyrics Gender Relations Applying What We've Learned Summary Part XIV. Overlapping Cultural Metaphors for Geographically Related Nations Chapter 38. Cultural Metaphors for the Caribbean A Brief History of the Caribbean Region Cultural Metaphors for the Caribbean Personal Experiences With Caribbean Metaphors Developing Complementary Cultural Metaphors Conclusions References Index About the Authors