Reaction to Barna

I think the cause of the stumbling blocks except language difference and high anxiety are all thinking one’s own culture is natural. Thus, I agree the author’s idea that being aware of them is the first step to avoid them. We cannot change the difference between cultures, so we have to just try to understand other culture. Thus, I think having interest in other cultures is the supreme solution.

 

I think about the description that Americans seem to hold assumption of similarity strongly and Japanese think they are very different from the rest of the world (p.2, l.10). At fast, I have a question about this description. It is sure Japan has made unique culture because of being an island divided from other countries but Japanese people are often said that they try to follow opinion of other people and have little personality. In addition, Japanese people have come to think much of global point of view. However, this journal is written in 1971, so I think, in that time, the way of thinking of Japan might be different from now.