Cultural Differences Paper
Cultural Differences Paper
Brendan Meier
BSCOM/390
12/7/2015
Kathy Wardlaw
1Cultural Differences Paper
Cultural Differences Paper
Given the infinite number of central themes a piece of
...
Cultural Differences Paper
Cultural Differences Paper
Brendan Meier
BSCOM/390
12/7/2015
Kathy Wardlaw
1Cultural Differences Paper
Cultural Differences Paper
Given the infinite number of central themes a piece of mass media can possibly
portray, the depiction of differing cultures is often times one of the most resonant. As the
audience to a specific story (be that story a novel, a song, a theatrical performance or a
movie), we instinctually draw connections between the presented narrative and our own
personal experiences and understandings. That is why instances of cultural clashes are
among the most powerful stories told. There is not one among us who has not been
confronted with people of different backgrounds from our own. Intercultural interaction
and communication is inescapable. The representation of such interactions in the form of
a narrative strikes so close to home for so many people because we all can easily draw
very real parallels to our own lives. The challenge then is to learn from the stories we are
audience to, and reflect on how we might apply the lessons learned to our own lives.
Such is certainly the case when considering the movie Friends With Money. This
2006, Comedy/Drama features not only a star-studded cast (including Jennifer Aniston,
Frances McDormand, Joan Cusack, Catherine Keener, Jason Isaacs, Scott Caan, and
more), but also a story that no doubt closely relates to countless audience members in the
western world, more specifically the United States. The movie’s portrayal of culture
ranges from such patterns as activity orientation, to theoretical dimensions of uncertainty
avoidance, indulgence vs. restraint, and masculinity vs. femininity all tied into high and
low-contexts. Cultural identity, bias and much more are shown through both verbal and
nonverbal communication. By recognizing all of these depictions of intercultural
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