Chapter 3 Response (Esther)

    I used to think culture is invisible and it cant be measured. After reading these chapters, I found that we can see culture from different perspectives. Researchers are really smart to design some research to make culture visible.

    I knew something general about distance before reading this chapter. Since the power distance is quite high in China, I can easily see some phenomena related to high power distance. For example, in Guangdong Province, China, people love drinking morning tea. It involves drinking tea and eating dim sum. Drinking morning tea is not only a personal behavior, but also a social behavior. When drinking morning tea with families, there is a rule to obey. Younger generation should pour tea for older generation. If not, you will be considered as an impolite person. And you may be punished and educated to obey it. The hierarchy among family members is pretty strict. People think it’s common and expected. Moreover, this rule ought to be obeyed if you are being with your colleagues. The higher position a person is in, the earlier he will have tea served. People respect positional power. Few people want to take the risk if you break the rule. Besides pouring tea, eating dim sum is the same. Older generation or people in higher position are expected to eat first. We are educated to do this since we were young. It becomes a custom for most Guangdong people. High power distance can be found here.

    That's what comes to my mind after I read this chapter. I hope there will be more people get interested in my culture and I am willing to share more about it.