Cultural Misunderstandings

I'm responsible of the damage I make ... unknown. ▫ Telephone is desirable for friends and close relationship. American Culture. ▫ The telephone is like the car.
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Cultural Misunderstandings The French-American experience

Cultural Misunderstandings 

Raymonde Carroll, Anthropologist



Analyse of cultural differences leading to misunderstandings



Presented into little essays

French and American behaviors... … in their close relationship

I. a. b. c.

At home Between parents and children In couple

… with their friends

II. a. b.

In friendship Dealing with “minor accidents”

… with strangers

III. a. b. c.

In conversation On the phone To obtain information

… in their close relationship At home Between parents and children In couple

French Culture

American Culture



The house is “private”



The house is more “public”



Implicit rules guide guests behavior



The host clearly defines the rules



Openness depends clearly on the relationship



Openness also depends on the relationship, but it is less obvious

… in their close relationship At home Between parents and children In couple

French Culture 





Children's liberty is restricted

American Culture 

Children are free



Children are “unknown seeds”



Adolescence is the beginning of adulthood

Children early learn to behave well Adolescence is a period of liberties

… in their close relationship At home Between parents and children In couple

French Culture

American Culture



Intimacy is hidden



Couple are “linked”



From hate to love, the distance is only one step



Arguments are very bad signs



In couple, frankness is usual



Absolute mutual support

… with their friends In friendship Dealing with “minor accidents”

French Culture

American Culture



Friends are like a “family”



“In friendship as in love”



Friendship is stable, almost indestructible



Friendship must always be reasserted



My friend support me by offering their help



I can (and must) ask my friend for help

… with their friends In friendship Dealing with “minor accidents”

French Culture

American Culture



It is never really my fault



I'm responsible of the damage I make



The host/lender take care of my fault



I must take care of my “accidents”

… with strangers In conversation On the phone To obtain information

French Culture

American Culture



Relationship between people more important than the subject



Subject is more important than the relationship between people



The aim is to establish ties, to create a network



The aim is to exchange information



The speech must be brief and efficient



The speech can be developed

… with strangers In conversation On the phone To obtain information

French Culture 



Telephone represents uncertainty before the unknown Telephone is desirable for friends and close relationship

American Culture 

The telephone is like the car



I do not call for no reason



I can say: “I can't stay on the phone right now”

… with strangers In conversation On the phone To obtain information

French Culture

American Culture



Small amount of information offered



Detailed information at disposal



I need someone to count on



I try to be self-sufficient “not to need anyone”



Correctness is not what's important



I need correct information to make my judgement

Conclusion Cultural Misunderstandings The French-American experience

Raymonde Carroll

Questions? Thank you for your attention