Differences in Manners

Differences in Manners

                                                June 1, 2021       TESOL 103 Week 7

     Differences in manners between people of differing cultures can potentially bring challenges to a classroom.  Something that is good manners in one culture can mean something entirely different in another.  As a future TESOL teacher, knowing some of these

differences can help me be prepared for the issues that arise.

   Different gestures, chewing gum, feet positioning, and hand shaking,  are just a few of the customs that differ from culture to culture.  Usually an explanation, or a positive expectation can resolve challenges.  However, this might not be the case, so teaching about differences can also help.  And being prepared with the Savior's advice, to forgive 70 x 7 times gives much more latitude.

   My Western culture is basically much less respectful than Eastern cultures.  It is also less formal.  This insight explains many differences in behavior, and in basic assumptions.  Although I cannot change my whole culture's attitudes, I can make a difference in my classroom by creating a classroom culture.  This would need to be explained and determined by the students--and agreed upon together.  A culture of kindness is basically what I would like to develop.

    According to the "How Stuff Works" website, New Zealand is the most polite country in the world.  It would be interesting to find out how their culture was able to create this behavior in enough of the people there, that the country benefits.  Perhaps, they have just internalized the definition of good manners for the world:  honesty, respect and consideration.