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Purcom

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DELOS REYES, RYZEL S.

BSACC 1 – 5
GNED 05 ACTIVITY 1 & 2

Activity 1: Reflect on your own cultural background and identify at least two visible and two
invisible aspects of your culture. Write a short essay on how these aspects influence your
communication style.

Some of the visible culture norms that influence how I communicate are fiestas and the
"mano" gesture with elders. Fiestas are fun celebrations that bring everyone together, making
it easy to socialize and connect with others. Because of this, I feel more comfortable reaching
out and sharing joy with friends and family. The "mano" gesture, where younger people take an
elder's hand and touch it to their forehead, teaches me to show respect when talking to older
people or the “lolos and lolas”. This practice helps me choose my words carefully and be polite
in conversations.

And some of invisible parts of our culture are "Filipino time" and indirect
communication. "Filipino time" means people often don’t care too much about being on time.
This can lead to confusion when making plans and also a reason for some people to be
frustrated. Additionally, the idea of avoiding a direct "no" to invitations because of "hiya" can
complicate things. Instead of saying "no," some might say, "I’ll try to make it," even if they don’t
plan to go. This makes it hard to know who will actually show up, leading to misunderstandings.
I often have to read between the lines to understand what people really mean.

In summary, these visible and invisible parts of my culture greatly shape how I interact
with others. They help me be respectful and friendly, but they can also make clear
communication confusing and tricky. Understanding these cultural influences helps me connect
better while being aware of possible misunderstandings.
Activity 2: Watch a video illustrating cultural differences in communication (e.g.. How Culture
Shapes Communication), Identify at least three cultural differences presented in the video and
discuss how they impact communication.

Different cultures have different ways of communicating. Some cultures are more direct,
while others are more indirect. For example, Western cultures often value directness, while
many Asian cultures prefer a more subtle approach. Another key difference is the role of
context. In high-context cultures, like Japan, a lot of meaning is conveyed through nonverbal
cues and shared understanding. In low-context cultures, like the United States, meaning is
primarily communicated through explicit language. Finally, cultural values, such as individualism
and collectivism, influence communication styles. Individualistic cultures prioritize personal
goals and direct expression, while collectivist cultures emphasize group harmony and indirect
communication.

To effectively communicate across cultures, it's important to be mindful


of these differences. By practicing these, people can enhance their
intercultural communication skills and build stronger relationships with
people from diverse backgrounds.

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