OSF8 Textbook

8 Conversation and Discussion

One Step Further ACTIVITIES

Here are some more responses from the Ibunka Survey on the topic of conversation and discussion. Let’s examine them for underlying cultural trends. We can see that the language in many responses hints at four basic patterns.

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CULTURAL PATTERN A: Responding to questions with long answers In some cultures, it is considered normal to give long and detailed contributions to conversation. These people try to put their conversation partners at ease by giving longer answers when asked a question, and speaking freely without being asked questions. Expressing yourself is seen as a sign of openness to communicate.

CULTURAL PATTERN B: Responding to questions with short answers In other cultures, people tend to give brief answers when asked a question, so as to give others more LQȵXHQFH RQ WKH FRXUVH RI WKH FRQYHUVDWLRQ 7KH priority is to accommodate your conversation partner, LQ RUGHU WR ȴQG FRPPRQ JURXQG

Read through the Ibunka Survey responses below. Highlight in one color the words and phrases that hint at Cultural Pattern A: Responding to questions with long answers DQG LQ DQRWKHU FRORU WKH SDUWV WKDW UHȵHFW Cultural Pattern B: Responding to questions with short answers. You can work and discuss this in pairs or small groups.

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CULTURAL PATTERN C: Disagreement is OK

CULTURAL PATTERN D: Disagreement is avoided

In some cultures, expressing contrary opinions is not taboo and can even be seen as “spice” for open, lively discussions.

In other cultures, disagreeing openly with one’s conversation partners is considered uncomfortable and even rude, so it is generally avoided. As a result, abstract discussions tend to be rare.

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I often feel uncomfortable with Japanese people when I talk about abstract subjects, because they quickly clam up so as to say nothing that could go against my ideas. This makes me feel like I'm forcing them to accept my point of view. I like to discover different points of view on a subject or a situation, even if I don't completely agree. It gives me a fresh perspective on the subjects in question. 6SDQLVK IHPDOH WRXU JXLGH OLYHV LQ -DSDQ 6 For me to become friends with someone, conversation and discussion are important. I need to feel there is mutual trust between us, and that entails being able to broach almost any topic. )UHQFK PDOH DVVLVWDQW SURIHVVRU KDV OLYHG LQ WKH 86 DQG -DSDQ 7 In Japan, where I grew up, in conversation we avoid disagreeing with other people and are always looking for consensus. This leads to "agreeing" with what others say, even when we really don't. In France, where I live now, disagreeing with someone doesn't necessarily frustrate them. It is simply part of the exchange, and an expression of the diversity of human experience. I particularly like this, because I am exposed to different views and this enriches my thinking. -DSDQHVH )UHQFK IHPDOH ELRWHFKQRORJ\ FRQVXOWDQW OLYHV LQ )UDQFH 8 I rarely talk about abstract topics with people I am not close to, and I think that basically, my friends and family hold the same views as me. But if in the course of a conversation we found we have different views, we would probably change the topic. &KLQHVH IHPDOH VWXGHQW KDV OLYHG LQ WKH 86 9

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