In this episode, Professor Ward shares his rich experiences from living in the US, Japan, and Europe. We dive deep into how understanding cultural dichotomies can enhance our comprehension of our own cultures by comparing them with others. Professor Ward explains key concepts such as collectivist vs. individualist cultures, linear vs. cyclical perception of time, uncertainty avoidance, and high vs. low context cultures, drawing from his diverse background and real-life examples.
Enjoy the episode!
02:05 - Professor’s background: living in the US, Japan, and Hungary
06:57 - What is cultural dichotomy? What is individualistic culture?
09:06 - Japan as a hierarchical culture
09:40 - How Hungarians are changing?
10:44 - Americans vs Hungarians.
11:56 - Linear and cyclical perception of time.
12:08 - Japanese concept Kaizen and Toyota
13:01 - Why are Americans an individualistic culture?
14:47 - Collectivistic culture. Who is your group?
15:16 - How individualistic people set goals?
16:17 - How does American teenager show its independence?
17:23 - Uncertainty avoidance
22:27 - What is masculine and feminine culture?
24:37 - How to know which culture we belong to?
26:19 - Skoganai: there is nothing we can do
27:14 - Why Professor likes Japan?
27:26 - Hierarchical culture
27:39 - How collectivism is useful?
28:38 - High uncertainty avoidance
28:56 - Hungarian culture
30:47 - The influence of culture on behaviour
31:30 - Main difference of Japanese.
32:54 - Do Americans show if they like you? Change around the world
32:20 - How to see this world in a more colourful way?
36:55 - Low vs High context culture
37:37 - Cultural split: what should I do?
39:52 - What can be a problem in cross-cultural interactions?
42:47 - Joke about cultural differences: An American in Japan
43:11 - “It is difficult”
45:37 - Why do you react that way? Cultural problems
50:10 - How to better communicate and avoid issues in cross-cultural interactions
