Mr. Williams was assigned indefinitely to his company’s Paris branch, and he wanted to establish some social relationships with his fellow employees. He had been in France only a few days when he was asked to attend a meeting in the outer office. As Mr. Baudin entered and sat beside him, Williams politely introduced himself and they shook hands. After exchanging some pleasantries about the weather, Williams told Baudin how thrilled he and his family were to be in Paris. He casually asked how many children Baudin had. Baudin replied that he had two sons. However, Williams noted that when he asked further about Baudin’s family, the Frenchman seemed offended. The conversation ended abruptly with Williams thoroughly confused.
Identify what you believe are the specific U.S. cultural characteristics illustrated in this scenario.
Identify what you believe are the specific French cultural characteristics.
How might Mr. Baudin characterize U.S. culture if this were the only interaction he had experienced with someone from the U.S.?
How might Mr. Williams characterize French culture if this were the only interaction he had experienced with someone from France?
Using your list of French and U.S. cultural characteristics, list the ingredients of culture that you have identified (e.g., artifacts, belief systems, folklore).
How is this intercultural scenario illustrative of the cultural axiom, “Cultures are ethnocentric”?