lecture9

4 Lecture 9 Time and Space 时间与空间 Time When travelers lack an awareness of how time is regulated in a foreign country, they can expect to feel somewhat disoriented. Since most people take time for granted, the effects of values, customs, and social etiquette on the use of time are seldom examined. A culture that values achievement and progress will discourage people from “wasting” time. Highly efficient business people from these cultures may fell frustrated in a country where work proceeds at a slow pace. In religious societies, customs specify times of the day, week, or year for prayer and religious celebrations. If an individual tries to make an appointment during a sacred holiday, he or she could unknowingly offend a religious person. Social etiquette determines appropriate times for visits, meetings, and even phone calls. Arriving two hours late for an appointment may be acceptable in one culture, whereas in another, keeping someone waiting fifteen minutes may be considered rude. Promptness Promptness is important in American business, academic, and social settings. The importance of punctuality is taught to young children in school. Tardy slips and the use of bells signal to the child that punctuality and time itself are to be respected. People who keep appointments are considered dependable. It people are late to job interviews, appointments, or classes, they are often viewed as unreliable and irresponsible. In the business world, “time is money” and companies may fine their executives for tardiness to business meetings. Of course, it is not always possible to be punctual. Social and business etiquette also provides rules for late arrivals. Calling on the telephone if one is going to be more than a few minutes late for scheduled appointment is considered polite and is often expected. Keeping a date or a friend waiting beyond ten to twenty minutes is considered rude. On the other hand, arriving thirty minutes late to some parties is acceptable. Respecting deadlines is also important in academic and professional circles. It is expected that deadlines for class assignments or business reports will be met. Students who hand in assignments late may be surprised to find that the professor will lower heir grades or even refuse to grade their work. Whether it is a question of arriving on time or of meeting a deadline, people are culturally conditioned to regulate time. Division of Time Time is tangible (real, concrete). One can “gain time,” “spend time,” “waste time,” ‘ save time,” or even “kill time”. Common questions in American English reveal this concrete quality as though time were a possession.. “Do you have any time?” The treatment of time as a possession influences the way time is carefully divided. Generally, Americans are taught to do one thing at a time and may be uncomfortable when an activity is interrupted. In businesses the careful scheduling of time and the separation of activities are common practices. Appointment calendars are printed with 15-,30-, and 60-minute time slots. A 2:30-3:00 interview may end in time for a brief break before a 3:15-4:00 meeting. The idea that “there is a time and place for everything” extends to American social life. Visitors who “drop by” without prior notice may interrupt their host’s personal time. Thus, calling friends on the telephone before visiting them is generally preferred to visitors’ “dropping by”. To accommodate other people’s schedules, Americans make business plans and social engagements several days or weeks in advance. As individuals in a culture, we all have an intuitive understanding about how time is regulated. Usually we do not think about the concept of time until we interact with others who have a different time orientation. Although individuals from any tow cultures may view time similarly, we often sense that in another culture, life seems to proceed at either a slower or faster pace. Knowing how time is regulated, divided, and perceived can proved valuable insights into individuals and their cultures. Space Architectural Difference When we travel abroad we are immediately impressed by the many ways buildings, homes, and cities are designed. The division and organization of space lend character and uniqueness to villages, towns and cities. Yet, architectural differences may also cause confusion or discomfort for the traveler. The separation of space inside homes may also vary form culture to culture. In most American homes the layout of rooms reveals the separateness and labeling a space according to function – bedroom, living room, dining room,, playroom, and so on. This system is in sharp contrast to other cultures where one room in a house may serve several functions. In Japan, homes with sliding walls can change a large room into two small rooms so that a living room can also serve as a bedroom Privacy and the Use of Space Architectural design influences how privacy is achieved as well as how social contact is made in public places. The concept of privacy is not unique to a particular culture but what it means is culturally determined. People in the United States tend to achieve privacy by physically separating themselves from others. The expression “good fences make good neighbors” indicates a preference for privacy from neighbors’ homes. If a family can afford it, each child has his or her own bedroom. In some cultures when individuals desire privacy, it is acceptable for them simply to withdraw into themselves. That is, they do not need to remove themselves physically from a group in order to achieve privacy. Young American children learn the rule “knock before you enter” which teaches then to respect others’ privacy. Parents, too, often follow this rule prior to entering their children’s rooms. When a bedroom door is closed it may be a sign to others saying, “I need privacy,” ”I’m angry,” or “Do not disturb…I’m busy.” For Americans, the physical division of space and the use of architectural features permit a sense of privacy. Cultural Notes Time 1.​ For doctors’ and dentists’ appointments it is important to call 24 to 48 hours before a scheduled appointment if you have to cancel. In some cases, you will be charged if you do not appear for an appointment. 2.​ When making appointments, it is not always possible to schedule one as soon as you would like. You may have to wait up to several weeks to schedule an appointment. Receptionists will usually try to schedule appointments as early as it is possible. 3.​ When you have a hotel reservation, it is a good idea to ask, “By what time do I have to arrive?” If you arrive later than the specified time, the hotel personnel may cancel your reservation unless you call ahead of time to tell them that you’ll be late. If you have to cancel your reservation, call in advance to notify the hotel. 4.​ “Time-saving” devices and methods are very popular in the United States. They include push-button TVs, instant coffee, TV dinners, microwave ovens, drive-in banking, and fast-food restaurants. Space 1.​ At very formal dinner parties you may find a place card with your name on it next to the plate where you are supposed to sit. Otherwise the host/hostess may tell you where to sit. There may be no fixed places at a dinner table. In this case, each person sits wherever he or she would like. Often the mother or the father sits at the head of the table. 2.​ often when you are invited into an American home the host or hostess will give you a “tour” of the house. One reason for this is to make you feel more comfortable so that you will fell “at home”. Also, Americans enjoy showing off the improvements they’ve made in their homes. 3.​ It is not unusual for hosts or hostesses to invite guests into the kitchen while they are preparing a meal although in some counties, this would be considered unacceptable. American hospitality is often informal. 4.​ The way space is used influences people’s attitudes and relationships. For example, how people are seated around a table affects conversation. Who sits next to whom and who looks at whom influence the social interaction. Even historical and political events may be affected by the use of space. In 1968, during the Vietnam War, international peace talks were held in Paris, France. A serious problem facing the planners of these meetings was the seating arrangement of the representatives. Each government’s status and needs had to be considered. It took eight months to reach an agreement on the shape of the table. In the meantime, the war continued. Multiple Choice Questionnaire The following questions are intended to stimulate cross-cultural discussion and to help you become familiar with American customs and responses. On the multiple choice questions try to guess what an American would do. More than one answer may be correct. 1.​ if you were invited to another family’s house for dinner how much later after the scheduled time would you arrive? In our country_______________________________________. In the United States: A.​ 15 minutes later. B.​ 30 minutes later. C.​ 1 hour later. D.​ 2 hours later or more. 2.​ How long does a party at which dinner is served usually last? In our country_______________________________________. In the United States: A.​ 1 to 2 hours B.​ 3 to 4 hours C.​ 5 to 6 hours D.​ 7 to 8 hours 3.​ If you were having a party for the students in your class, how many days in advance would you invite them? In our country_______________________________________. In the United States: A.​ The day of the party. B.​ One day in advance. C.​ Several days in advance. D.​ Tree or four weeks in advance. 4.​ How would a host indicate to guest that it was time to leave? In our country_______________________________________. In the United States: A.​ The host would start yawning. B.​ The host world announce, “It’s time to leave.” C.​ The host would start cleaning up. D.​ The host wouldn’t say anything, so I would leave at a time I thought was reasonable. 5.​ At a party or social occasion, how would you indicate that it was time for you to leave someone’s home? In our country_______________________________________. In the United States: A.​ I would wait until the host said something. B.​ I would say, “I have something important to do. I must leave now”. C.​ I would say, “ It’s getting late and I’d better be going.” D.​ I would make up an excuse and thank the hosts. 6.​ When first meeting a date or a friend’s parents, an appropriate amount of time to speak with them would be In our country_______________________________________. In the United States: A.​ 5 minutes B.​ 15-30 minutes C.​ 1 hour D.​ 2 hours or more 7.​ If you have an appointment with a professor at 12:00 and arrived at 12:45, how would the professor react? In our country_______________________________________. In the United States: A.​ He wouldn’t care B.​ He would excuse you if you had called. C.​ He would consider you irresponsible. D.​ He would be insulted. Cross-cultural questions: Answer the following questions about your own culture and then discuss intercultural similarities and differences. 1.​ Is the American concept of time different from that in our country? Might a business person from the US encounter any differences? (consider promptness, schedules, signing of contracts, etc.) 2.​ Are there objects, procedures, or customs which are symbolic of our culture’s use of time? Explain 3.​ How does technology influence the use of time? How does it affect personal, social, and professional lives? 4.​ How is sense of privacy obtained in our culture? What do you do when you want to be alone (at home, at work, or elsewhere)? 5.​ Has the design of your city been influenced by non-native styles of architecture? If so, how? 6.​ What types of architecture are best suited to the environment and geography of our country?