2008年12月22日月曜日

Movie

In your blog please write your comments and thoughts of the movie.

Today's movie was really fun. Thank you, Meiki sensei.

Do you think this is a true story?
Maybe this movie is made overly, but I think this is a true story.
Sometimes religious difference is a big problem.


Can this really happen in today's modern times?
Yes, I think so.
Our minds are becoming open to other religions and ideas, but still have problems of them.
I think marriage should be more free, and make the couple the first priority.
However, in my case, I'm an irreligious, so I can't imagine that join religious family.


Happy Christmas☆
.

2008年12月21日日曜日

Time

For homework, please answer the following in your blog:
Read the proverbs and sayings about time. For each one describe the meaning.
Tell me what cultural values do they suggest. In your closing statement please explain a time proverb in your culture.Proverbs:

1. Time is money.

It means time is really important, because time is so valuable like money.
There is a limit to use time. So don't make no waste!!!

2. A stitch in time saves nine.
It means as early as posible you should deal with any problems until become a big problem.

3.There's no time like the present.
It means don't postpone anything what you can do now. I think it's related to " Time is money".

4.Let's meet at 4. If I'm not there by 5, leave without me at 6, and I'll be there at 7.
I can't understand this very well, but I think it means time can't wait.

Wedding

1.Since Japanese weddings are expensive, do you think having a massive wedding like Korea or UAE is a good idea?

I want to have small wedding, because a massive wedding is expensive and preparation is really hard.

2. What do you think about eloping? Having a wedding in a foreign location like Hawaii?

I have never thought about eloping, but it's depends on the situation and the persons.
Having a wedding in a foreign location is nice I think, because there are so many good places around the world. Beatiful and quiet locations are nice.

3.What is your ideal wedding?
I want to have a small wedding with my family and close friends in beautiful island.

4.What would you definitely do, wear or go to on that big day? Why is that important?
I would do definitely wear a white wedding dress. Because it's special for bride.

5. Have you ever been to a foreigner's wedding? What was your impression?
I have never been there.

Superstitions

Do you think it is important to talk about superstitions in cross culture communication class? Why? Is communication affected by superstitutions?

I don't know if it's important or not, but it's interesting. Because I can learn how to interpret.
Some coountry and some people are affected by superstitutions. It depends.

Do you believe in superstitions?
If yes, what superstitions do you believe?

I don't believe them very much.
However, my father believe some of them.
For example, he doesn't trim his nails at night. because you can't be with your parents when they die.
Actually, he could be with his father when his father died.


Why do you do, use, or believe in them?

My father believes them, because it's old fashion advice, and there is nothing wrong with believe them.

2008年11月2日日曜日

Language of Clothes

1. Do you judge people according to what they wear? Why?

Yes, I do. Because I think the clothes show their personality or styles.

2 Do you think Japanese society puts an importance on clothing when judging other people from another country?

I think sometimes that's right.

3. What colors are you wearing now? Do they reflect your mood?

I'm wearing Navy color. Yes I think so.



Next week we will discuss friends, please prepare by answering the following questions:

1. What are some subjects that you will never discuss with a friend?

about my secret.

2. Do you have different friends for different parts of your life? If so, how are they different to you? Do you talk about different things? Go to different places? Give me some examples.

Yes I do and I think they do to me. For example, I do only greet, only make a noise or consult to different friends. I go on a trip with a best friend.

Death and Funerals

1.Death and Funerals:
a. Do you have any international friends or a host family? If so, how would you express your condolences to them if a family member died? If not, then how would you express consolences to an American host family if their Grandmother died?

I have many international friends, and a host family, but I have never experienced death in them. If I express my condolences to the Grandmother, "I'm sorry. She was very kind to me when I stayed there. so I'm very sad. I hope she rest in peace"..like this?? I don't know.

b. Have you ever been to a foreign funeral?

Never

2. The language of Clothes (preparation for next weeks topic):
a.Why are Japanese designer label crazy? Why is what you wear so important?

For me, I don't care about designer label goods too much, but Those are high quality, so I think I can keep longer.
For some people, I guess they buy the goods for their status. I have heared some people to get money for them. I think it's too much...crazy.

b.What does “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” mean to you?

It meant to me "Don't judge people by their looks or appearances."

2008年10月13日月曜日

Wrapping

1.Do you agree with the web site's description?What do you do that can be called "wrapping"? Give examples and reasons for your actions.

I almost agree with them.
When I got invited and don't want to go, I can't say "I don't want to go". So I think about reasons for saying no. For example, I have an another appointment or something like that. I don't know why it's hard to say no, but we have an idea "lie is expedient" in Japan.

2. a. Where do you go when you die?
I think heven or be born again.

b. Explain why do Japanese have death memorial services 1 month, 1 year, 3 years, 7 years, etc. after a person's death?
to keep our mind the person was here.

2008年8月1日金曜日

Dating customs


Politics

If I work in the UN, I work involeved in peace activity especially I'd like to help children. Because so many children are damaged by war or other problems. in UN UNICEF is fine.

Personal Spaces

1. I think I'll make space 50 cm or more from the person.

2. sometimes. I touch shoulder when I feed.

3. I'll sit next to woman or make one space from man.

4. I see the number of above.

5. I don't care very much, but I'll make space over 30cm.

6. either is okay.

7. no

8. I like to see very few.

9. yes I do.

10. I don't.

Work Place Questionare

Your score is 36 on a scale of 0 to 100 = Preference for Tolerance for Ambiguity

Your score indicates that you have a moderate Tolerance for Ambiguity and might be willing to give up job security for more opportunity. In countries/cultures with a Tolerance for Ambiguity, conflict in organizations is perceived as natural, and rules may be broken for pragmatic reasons. If you work in countries/cultures with a Need for Certainty, such as Japan, France, and Greece, you might react by creating a micro-environment that would shield you from the burden of what you might perceive as excessive structures, rules, and regulations. In countries with a high Need for Certainty, loyalty to an employer is seen as an advantage; a specialist career is preferred over a career in management.

The countries you requested are listed below. The numbers in parentheses refer to the country scores as listed by Professor Geert Hofstede in his book Culture's Consequences:

Canada (48) Tolerance for Ambiguity, a moderate preference for an entrepreneurial environment which is less bound by rules and regulations

Japan (92) Need for Certainty, a strong preference for an environment that is more structure-oriented, and where rules, roles and management practices are clear and unambiguous

I agree with this result. Because I don't have entrepreneurial ability...

2008年6月16日月曜日

welcome to colgate university student

I missed this home work. so I do now.

Your homework is to write about the student you talked to today. Describe their answers to the topics you discussed. Try to exchange e-mails or give your blog address to the Colgate University student and keep a dialogue going after the class. Have fun.

I talked a girl who was the same age as us. we talked about daily life like family, fashion, part time job or something like that. I think her opinion was close or same to ours. we had a good time. After this class, I talked to her on the Internet. I was glad she also had a good time with us.

2008年6月3日火曜日

Feelings

1.Are feelings emotions and facial expressions universal across borders, happy, sad, etc..?

 Yes, they are??

2. Try to name as many feelings as possible in Japanese. ( 10 minimum) Now write the English translation.

happy, fun, sad, angry, unpleasantness, surprise, feel cold, feel hot, painful, great, boring...

3. Are there any feelings in Japanese that cannot be translated into English?

お疲れ様??
 

2008年5月17日土曜日

Greeting

Homework



Q;How do you greet people in your life? Is it different for different people? How so and why? Do you touch people when you talk to them? Why? Or Why not?



A; When I greet people, I say hi, Hello, bow, and sometimes shake hands. And, Yes, I change how to greet for different people. For example, I see someone at first time, I say nice to meet you, and bowing. If the situation is in formaly, I'll shake hands, because it's the Japanese culture and traditional way. I sometimes touch my close friends' shoulder with greate affection. However I don't hug like Americans. Because I feel uncomfortable, I mean I'm embarassed in Japan.

2008年4月26日土曜日

Buddism

Class #2 Buddhism
After hearing today's speaker. Please answer the following question in your blog: 1. How is your daily life affected by Buddhism? What do you do and why do you do it?Also, read the newspaper for the next week and find an article that has to do with cross culture communication problems. Post the link to this article, summarize it in your blog in English.

1. How is your daily life affected by Buddhism? What do you do and why do you do it?

A. I'm not aware of Buddhism very much in my daily life. However, I visit a temple for worship at every New Year days. It's not religion but custom for me.



http://www.shinmai.co.jp/news/20080426/KT080426ASI000011000022.htm

★ summary★
Benijing Olympics' torch relay held in Nagano city on April 26th. 80 people participated in it. Along the way,I someone throwed something to runner, or there are some savotages. So 5 people were arrested because of the reasons. Between Chinese people and the people who complain to Tibetan problem had an argument along the course, and 4 people injured. Total of 100 people (police offcer and others) gurded the runner. After all, final runner arrived 15 minutes late to the goal. The relay was supposed to show the torch to the citizen, but it was canceld to avoid these problems.

 ★ impression★
 I'm a little disappointed at this news. It's a natural that each person has different opinion. However, Olympics is not for argue but the good opportunity for athlete from over the world to compete. Anyway managed to end it, so it was okay.