POLI2aula9_exemplo3

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CULTURAL DIFFERENCES 
Most European countries have multi-racial societies owing both to historical and 
geographical factors. Military conquests, persecution and economic hardship 
have all contributed to waves of immigration. 
Early British history highlights the influence of the Romans, the Vikings, the 
Saxons and the Normans. More recently, we have opened our doors to people 
from our former colonies seeking jobs, refugees seeking political asylum and 
other members of the European Community. 
Racial integration has been successful in many areas of Britain. Intermarriage 
between people of similar cultures is now very common. The popularity of 
Chinese and Indian food and support for events such as the Notting Hill Carnival 
show a further acceptance of cultural differences. 
However, good race relations have proved more difficult where there has been 
large-scale immigration involving dissimilar cultures, especially in areas of social 
deprivation - for example, where there is poor housing and high unemployment. 
Not only do immigrants become scapegoats for the problems of these areas, but 
they, themselves, may be reluctant to integrate for reasons of religion or cultural 
identity. 
 
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES 
A: What do you think is the problem between the English and the Americans? 
B: That's a very interesting question, because both nationalities share a common 
language and are usually on the same side in war-time, yet they rarely speak 
well of one another on a personal level. 
A: Are we talking about a struggle for superiority? 
B: Yes, but we measure our superiority in different ways. Ours is cultural and 
historical. We believe we're more civilized. We're the country of Shakespeare and 
the industrial revolution. Americans visit England in search of culture and history. 
A: So in what ways are they superior? 
B: Well, obviously in size. Everything's bigger - their country, their salaries, their 
roads, their companies. Theirs is the land of MacDonald's, Coca Cola, Microsoft 
and IBM. They enjoy telling us that they're the best. 
A: And are they right? 
B: Yes, if you measure success purely in dollars, but there are two points here. 
Firstly, many English people actually believe that "Small is Beautiful". They prefer 
countries where you don't get mugged in parks and subways. 
A: What's the other point? 
B: I was coming to that. It's the difference in character. Maybe you think you're 
the best in the world, but you don't go shouting about it from the rooftops. 
Americans lack our modesty and reserve. They're probably warmer and more 
friendly, but they're often very loud and extrovert to go with it. 
A: So you prefer the British character? 
B: Not entirely. We tend to be rather oblique in our conversation. When 
Americans speak, you can take them literally, but when English people speak you 
have to read between the lines. 
A: We say one thing and mean another? 
B: Exactly. 
 
Some Perceptions of Americans 
Europe & especially England. "Americans are stupid and unsubtle (não refinados). 
And they are fat and bad dressers." 
 
 
Finland. "Americans always want to say your name: 'That's a nice tie, Mikko. Hi Mikko, 
how are you Mikko' 
Indian. "Americans are always in a hurry. Just watch the way they walk down the 
street." 
Kenyan. "Americans are distant. They are not really close to other people -- even other 
Americans." 
Turkey. "Once we were out in a rural area in the middle of nowhere and saw an 
American come to a stop sign. Though he could see in both directions for miles, and 
there was no traffic, he still stopped!" 
Colombia. "In the United States, they think that life is only work." 
Indonesia. "In the United States everything has to be talked about and analyzed. Even 
the littlest thing has to be 'Why, why why?'." 
Ethiopia. "The American is very explicit. He wants a 'yes' or 'no'. If someone tries to 
speak figuratively, the American is confused." 
Iran. "The first time my American professor told me 'I don't know, I will have to look it 
up', I was shocked. I asked myself 'Why is he teaching me?'" 
 
Having in mind the ideas in the texts above, answer the following questions in 
one paragraph. Don't forget the conjunctions that will make your text cohesive. 
But - However - nevertheless - so - therefore - thus - consequently - then - 
hence - Although/though - Even though - in spite of/despite - besides - 
moreover - furthermore - because - as - since - for - and –nor –or – yet – 
both...and... - either...or... - neither...nor... - not only...but also... - 
whether...or... - as - if - in order to - like - so that - unless – while. 
 
Discussion questions 
1. "Cultural differences cause problems. It is better for people to stay in their own 
countries rather than to migrate to other ones." Do you agree? 
2. Would you prefer to live in a monoculture or a multi-racial society? Why? 
3. "It is better to study major international languages like English rather than to 
spend time on minority languages for the sake of regional identity." Do you 
agree? 
4. Is it better to marry someone of the same cultural background? 
5. How do you think "British Culture" differs from "N. American Culture"? How do 
these cultures differ from the culture of your own country?