People are different not only in gender, race, social and psychological characteristics but also in their cultural perspectives and prejudices. The culture normally consists of the myths, rituals, stories and language through which human meanings and values are transmitted from one generation to another. Culture includes groups that we are born into, such as gender, race, or national origin. It also includes groups we join or become part of, maybe by a change in our economic status, or otherwise.
As people from different cultural groups start to work together, cultural values may sometimes conflict. We can misunderstand each other, and react in ways that can deter what are otherwise promising partnerships. When analyzing cultures of United States and Russia, we notice few similarities but there are a lot of differences. The similarities are more at the national level. Whereas on the divergent axis, important cultural facets like people and society get more pronounced.
Scrutinizing the similarities between cultures of United States and Russia, we find that both the countries are multi-ethnic, continental, great powers, and settled by a variety of diverse groups. Both the counties regard themselves as chosen nations destined to bring their own versions of enlightenment to less fortunate people. They are both Nuclear powers. As nations, both the countries are blessed with people who are patriotic, energetic and inventive. They are hard working, honest and motivated. At individual levels, people of both the country are quite different from each other.
The Term Paper on Cultural Perspectives of the Country of Italy
Italy has been a democratic republic since 1946 and it has a population of about 58 million. It is surrounded by Tyrrhenian Sea on the west and Adriatic Sea on the east. France, Austria are some of the countries that border Italy to the north. Italy is covered by sea and mountains “While Italy has a huge range of climates and natural features, ideal for mining, cultivation of crops, fish, ...
In America, individualism and competitiveness are distinct features of common people. Americans love to compete and progress in their careers, more often, at the stake of their family lives. The Russians however, rely more on a close network of family, friends, and co-workers.. They prefer their family lives more than their work. They love to share their emotions rather than spending an isolated life. Moreover, at individual levels, Americans like to bring changes to their lives and work. They are innovative and believe that change is the sign of progression.
They will change their jobs, houses, and even spouses more often than Russians change their dresses. Russians on the other hand are more likely to be cautious and conservative defenders of their status quo. They would spend their entire lives in one house and one job. When we talk of society, we find a number of differences as well. Our culture influences how we approach problems, and how we participate in communities. Sometimes we are not even aware of cultural implications, which lead to undesirable consequences.
In America for example, there are often frank opinions given and are expected but in Russia, such opinions can result in development of conflicts. Law is an important component of society and in United States, there are strict rules which protect individual rights. The law in Russia however serves to protect the state and the community rather than the individual. To conclude, culture plays a vital role in human life. It sets social, ethical and moral values and standards, which one follows without any justification.
A culture is a person’s belief and even religion is considered to be part of the cultural ingredients since most of us are inherited with the religious perceptions rather than adopting them or choosing them. In today’s environment of cultural diversity, we need to be sensitive to other’s cultural norms in order to avoid conflicts and achieve desired results. While analyzing cultures of United States and Russia, there were few similarities found but both the countries stand far a apart when we compare their people and the society.
