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Learning
Cultural Differences
Between Americans and Vietnamese |
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AMERICAN
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VIETNAMESE |
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Greetings
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a. Americans
shake hands with the opposite sex |
Vietnamese do not
shake hands with the opposite sex. They do not shake hands with old
people or women unless they offer their hand first. Instead, they
slightly bow their head and/or put the hands in front of the chest in
order to show more respect. Two women do not shake hands.
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b. Americans
sometimes exchange cheek-kisses to express friendliness |
Vietnamese never exchange cheek-kisses. It is a shock to most married
women.
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c. Americans
use "waving motion" to call people |
Waving motions
are only used by adults to call little children but not in other way.
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d. To pat
someone on the back is acceptable |
It is insulting to the Vietnamese to be patted on the back; especially
to women
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e. Americans
can greet anyone in the family first |
A Vietnamese greets the head of a family or an older person first, then
the younger ones.
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Housing
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a. Homes have
more rooms, space and conveniences.
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Homes are small in cities and towns
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b. Home are
mostly constructed of wood or brick |
Homes, in the country side, are usually made of bamboo trees, dry rice
plants and mud. In the cities, they are constructed of brick or cement.
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