• What is culture?
• What are the components of culture—list and define all 8 of them?
• Identify what you believe are the specific U.S. cultural characteristics illustrated in this scenario.
• How might Laura characterize Kenyan culture if this were the only interaction that she had experienced with someone from Kenya?

Laura was a new secondary school teacher from the United States teaching in a small, rural Kenyan community. The school that she was teaching at had a staff of seven Kenyan teachers and herself. Beatrice was the only other woman on the staff and Laura became friends with her quickly. After each long day, Laura looked forward to going home and spending time alone reading or writing letters.

Laura's route home passed right by where Beatrice lived and Beatrice frequently invited Laura for tea each time she spotted her walking along the dirt path. On a few occasions Laura accepted and stayed for two hours. Laura felt as though she should stay for a long visit, although Beatrice never insisted that she stay. Laura was never sure how to tell Beatrice that she could only stay for a short while, as she wished to hurry home and have the rest of the day to herself. As a result, Laura began to decline Beatrice's continual invitations as she passed by her house. She now often simply waved and said "tutaonana kesho!" ("See you tomorrow.")

Beatrice continued to invite Laura for tea because she felt that was the polite thing to do. But because Laura always declined now, she began to feel as though Laura no longer wanted to visit her home.