Understanding Global Cultures: Thailand, Japan, and Saudi Arabia

Group 1: Paige Perry, Devon Dyer, Chandler Cruse, Angela Scoioli, Anna Smith, Sandy Tang and Tammy Nguyen

Thailand

Thailand’s Culture Vertical Hierarchy

Bowing instead of hand shake Thai Boxing Thai Smiling

EconomiesThailand

Newly industrialized

Industrial production

Military spending

Singapore Extremely modern Industrial

production Military spending

ReligionThailand

Theravada Buddhism

95% is Buddhism Other religions in

Thailand are Confucianism and Taoism

Singapore Buddhism 33% is Buddhism Other religions in

Singapore are Christianity, atheism, and Islam

Japan

Changing ValuesYoung Japanese desire: Diversity, individuality Instant gratification stability and maintenance of the status quo. Young Japanese seek more leisure time and

devote more time to personal goals than elders did.

“Like the water flowing through a Japanese garden, Japanese society is fluid, changing yet retaining its essential character.”

Japanese Religion Buddhism Indigenous religion: Shintoism (nature

based) Christianity

Borrowed Values China deeply influenced Japan in:

philosophy, science, literature and arts, they even adopted the Chinese writing system .

Japan’s island was far enough away to escape invasion but close enough to interact and benefit from the Chinese.

Japanese Economy 2nd largest economy behind U.S. Current Corporate culture: developed

western style management tying performance to compensation

Japan has few resources-adopted many ways of china.

Authority ranking nation: balance between individualistic and collectivist

Out of Seclusion Extremely difficult for a foreigner to be

fully accepted in Japan. Many visiting US Americans misperceive

the extreme care and attention given to them as genuine friendship or genuine acceptance.

Japanese Gardens Gardens are designed to create a sense of

integration between observer and nature for which mediation can take place

The Garden serves the purpose of development of society in: art, religion and aesthetics.

Western societies see nature to be confronted and subdued; Japanese see nature to be accepted

Dry and Wet Gardens Tsukiyama: wet or

landscape garden Karesansui: dry

Zen or religions garden

Nature Oriented Society Naturally Nature Oriented because of: -Agricultural people-Temperate climate-Abundant rainfall-close to oceanThus Japanese literature manifests a deep appreciation of seas, mountains and glens.

Interesting Facts Control obesity by measuring waistlines

of Japanese people Shame is associated with failure, which

leads to high suicide rate. When Japanese are asked what they do,

they usually respond with the name of the company that they work for, and not the job they perform.

Saudi Arabia

Cultural ValuesSaudi Arabia

When honor is tarnished, one feels shame and loses face.

High value placed on honor and shame.

Rarely resort to violence.

Singapore Having face indicates

personal dignity. Work to carry

themselves with honor in all aspects of life.

Strive for harmonious relationships.

Female Role in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabian woman comfortable Abaya and veil Separate entrances Do insiders understand their own culture

better than outsiders do? 2009 First female minister

Saudi Arabia’s Arts Jewelry as Wealth and Art Jewelry includes as dowry Jewelry design unite women Price separate women Different colored gemstones Silver dying and gold growing

Singapore’s Arts Singapore Arts Festival Arts have united Singaporeans Many different forms of art

Theatre arts Dance and Music Visual Arts

Arts are continuing to grow

Religion in Saudi Arabia

Performing the haj to Mecca.

97% Muslim 85-90% Sunni 10-15% Shias

King is the religious and government leader

Government is based on Koran

Religion is incorporated in every day life

Religion in Singapore Diverse religious

backgrounds: Buddhism 33% Christianity 18.3% Hinduism 5.1% Islam 14.7% Taoism 10.9%

Government strives to surpass religious and racial boundaries

Public discussion of religious issues is not appropriate.