Cross-Cultural Conversation 6-1

Cross-Cultural Conversation 6-1

A "You want to talk about culture?" Alain began the conversation in a proud voice. "The United States is only a few hundred years old. Americans aren‘t lucky enough to have any culture-they have zero culture, I say." He made the sign for "nothing" with his hand.

 B "You are completely correct," interrupted Werner, loudly. He was pointing his finger. "Old Europe of the last thousand years-it's easy to tell that's where the great culture was ! The age of architecture-just look at the magnificent historical cathedrals and castles. Our ancestral art legacy-if you don't know the works of world-famous painters and sculptors from previous centuries, it’s essential to see them in our excellent museums. And everyone has the chance       to experience our classical literature and music in first-class theaters and concert halls. I just gave you a logical description of a long and significant cultural history!“

C "You call a short millennium a cultural history?" Waving his arms, Kamil was objecting strongly to Werner's views. "The real beginning of culture-I mean, significant civilization-was in the Middle East and Africa over five thousand years ago. Ancient communities not only knew how to create magnificent architecture and art; they also made amazing scientific and technological discoveries. They invented things. They figured out how to write and do mathematics; they studied astronomy-the science of the skies, the sun, and the planets-and invented the calendar. They even had medicine; it's important to remember that the ancient religions came from that area too. I'm happy to tell you about their achievements because they

 made world civilization possible. Those were the civilizations that gave humanity the most meaningful cultural legacy!” 

D With his hands together and his head down, Jade agreed with Kamil. In a soft but nervous voice, he added, "But the really important science and technology began to develop in Asia and the Americas. While the ancient Chinese were building walled cities, they organized the first governments. They invented tools for work and weapons for protection. And the native peoples of the Americas had very, very old civilizations and societies. That was ancient traditional culture."

E "Ancient culture? That's a contradiction in definitions!"Grinning, Kevin objected in an enthusiastic way. Going against Jade's views, he said, "It’s impossible for culture to be old or traditional. The opposite is true! Culture isn’t dead-it's alive. Culture is modern ! Culture is  now !“

F   Ken was starting to fall asleep, but suddenly he came alive. "I agree!" he said, interrupting Kevin in a forceful way.

G   "You tell them!" said Kevin, wanting support for his point of view.

H  "Culture is worldwide-it's universal !" answered Ken in his clear speaking style. He had a wide smile on his face. "I mean, like-take today's food culture. With our global fast food, I have to say, everyone eats the same. And because of the worldwide media-movies, TV, CDs (compact disks), the Internet- everybody knows the same information, plays the same music, enjoys the

same stories-even the jokes! And I mean, it's like-people everywhere have a chance to buy the same clothes-all because of advertising. A beautiful young couple in jeans and bright Hawaiian shirts anywhere in the world, eating hamburgers and french fries with their friends from many countries- finally,  we have a global culture! And tradition has nothing to do with it!"

I  However, Monika was of another opinion. "You want to call modern movies, music, food, and clothes culture?" she said, beginning to get irritated."Culture isn't about the sameness of people in communities around the world; it's about their differences. Like-it's important for people to greet one another in various ways, and they need to use different titles and follow a variety of social rules in their relationships. Some societies are formal, while others are informal, or casual. Some groups are friendly, and others aren't. And another example is the diverse use of language-is it direct or indirect? How do communication styles include motions, gestures, facial expressions, and other body language? And customs are so interesting! They're what people of different national groups do in their everyday lives and on special occasions like holidays or celebrations. Culture means cultural diversity. What makes life amusing? It's the variety of cultures around the world, its contradictions and opposites !“

J   "Why are you talking so much?" interrupted Alain, impolitely.

K  "Yeah, and why don't you understand what culture is?" said Werner in a loud voice.

L   "And another thing-what's your problem with ancient civilizations and tradition?" disagreed Kamil with an unpleasant expression on his face. He liked to contradict Monika in a rude way.

M   "And why do you always have a different view of things?" asked Kevin and Brandon. They weren't smiling either, and they wanted to talk a lot more.