Assume you are a cross-cultural anthropologist. In this role, please visit multiple public places that are frequented by one or more ethnic or cultural groups. Observe four to five behaviors that strike you as unique or different compared to what you consider to be “normal.” After you make your observations, walk to a quiet location and record what you observed in a notebook or mobile device. Think about why these behaviors caught your attention in the first place and then analyze them from the perspective of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions (individualism/collectivism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, and masculinity/

femininity).

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

1. To help students interpret nonverbal communication in a more culturally neutral manner.

2. To encourage students to understand their own reactions to different cultural behaviors.

3. To reinforce the importance of observation skills in cross-cultural encounters.

STEPS 

1. Visit multiple public places where you can observe the behaviors of one or more ethnic or cultural groups. Examples include major airports, ethnic associations, foreign consulates, religious entities, cultural centers, museums, and cultural or affinity groups at universities.

2. Bring a notebook or mobile device and:

a. On the left side of the page, make a column titled:

“Observation/description.”

i. In this section, describe what you saw. Any behavior that strikes you as different, frustrating, funny, or confusing is appropriate. Stick to the facts when describing these behaviors. Write down 5–10 observed behaviors.

b. On the right side of the page, make a column titled:

“How This Observation Relates to Hofstede’s Dimensions.”

i. In this section, interpret the behaviors by using Hofstede’s dimensions (individualism/collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, power distance, and masculinity/femininity). How can these dimensions help explain what you observed?

Explain.

3. Type and hand in your anthropologist’s analysis. This should include:

a. Your name, date, and the name of each public place you visited.

b. 5–10 observed behaviors (left side of notebook) that you made while visiting the place(s) and a description of how these observations relate to Hofstede’s cultural dimensions (right side of notebook).