How Do Our Cultural Backgrounds Shape Our Interactions?

Understanding our own cultural identity is the first step in building meaningful connections with others. It helps us recognize our biases, values, and communication styles before exploring cultural differences. Just as we discussed questions like "What kind of things do you mention when introducing yourself to others?" in class, we first reflected on ourselves based on our cultural background, and then we got to know other's opinions by listening. Naturally, this kind of communication made culture flow. 

When meeting others for the first time, introductory topics such as sharing one's name, hometown, and hobbies are similar in both my home country, China, and in Japan. Since these two countries are both located in East Asia, I believe they have some shared traits in emphasizing politeness and maintaining respectful distance. Behaviors like hugging or being overly expressive may be considered inappropriate and rude in both cultures. Similarly, the Japanese practice of addressing someone by their first name with a respectful suffix (like -san) is somewhat akin to the Chinese use of honorifics such as xiansheng (Mr.) or nvshi (Ms.) after the family name.

However, there are also notable differences in specific social manners. For instance, in Japan, bowing is a customary and polite way to greet others, while in China, a firm handshake accompanied by a slight nod is more typical.

These observations remind me that cultural self-awareness isn't about memorizing a list of dos and don'ts–it's about approaching each interaction with curiosity and humility. Whether it's choosing between a bow or a handshake, or the choice of minimizing physical contact, every encounter offers a chance for us to learn. The key is to stay open-minded and respectful toward both the differences and the similarities that exist across variant cultures.