Mitha's Intercultural

Stefanie Ardy Christanty P

40020117060041

Intercultural Communication Assignment

1. What does silence indicate in conversations? Does it always indicate the same thing?

Ø  In my opinion, silence does not mean always the same thing during a conversation. Most of us interpret it as agreeing or disagreeing or sometimes approval or disapproval. But silence can also mean he doesn’t know what to answer, or maybe he is thinking about what is being discussed in the conversation.

3. Who can criticize whom? Under what circumstances? In what manner do people make criticisms?

Ø  In my opinion, we can criticize anyone we want. But we also have to pay attention to how we criticize and pay attention to the right situation and time. The right situation, for example, when we are in a meeting, then there is someone who expresses his opinions, then we disagree, then we can criticize them politely when they finish talking. Usually we criticize people directly at meetings, but we can also criticize indirect to people trough social media.

5. How do people invitations? Is it appropriate to insist on someone’s accepting an invitation if he or she has refused several times?

Ø  In my opinion, we shouldn’t force someone if he doesn’t want to. Especially if he has refused several times. It is his right to refuse if he doesn’t want to, but every country has a different culture. If outside Indonesia we cannot force someone after rejecting it once. But in Indonesia, especially in Java, we will force or offer several times, and that is common for Javanese people. And usually those invited will receive after being offered several times.

7. In comparing English verbal patterns with those in your own language, have you observed any any differences or similarities in boasting, expressing modesty, and complaining?

Ø  In my opinion, if we observe English people, they are people who like to say directly what they think. And it seems that English people rarely complain even maybe never. For similarities or differences in boasting, English people don’t seem boasting, they always say according to facts, different from Indonesian people who like to boast of themselves. Then to express simplicity, English people will usually immediately reveal that they are simple person, even they are not ashamed to say that they have no money. Then to complain, I feel English people rarely express complaints unlike Indonesian people who always complain.

9. You need some money and you are considering asking either your parents or your friend for a loan. How would you ask your parents? How would you ask your friend?

Ø  I prefer to borrow money from parents rather than friends. Because we can borrow money as we need, whereas with friends, we do not know how much money he has, and whether he also needs it. If I borrow with friends, I usually borrow small amounts for snacks, photocopying or anything else. If I borrow with friends, maybe I can be more relaxed directly borrow with the amount I need. But if with parents, I will ask politely and explain what the money is going to use.