SECOND CAF (CONTINUOUS

ASSESSMENT FILE) ASSIGNMENT

Amity Business School,

Amity University,
Sector – 125, Noida

SUBMITTED TO:- SUBMITTED BY:-

Prof. (Dr.) Col. A. K. Rajpal Indana Abhinav
(Business Communications Faculty) A0101909373, 109B44
MBA (G) 2009 – 2011
 Critical Thinking Probe

Identify one of your important interpersonal relationships. Consider how that

relationship might be different if you and your partner adopted values and
norms that were opposite from the ones you already hold. For example, if your
communication is low context, how would things be different if you shifted to a
high-context style? If you are tolerant of uncertainty, what might happen if you
avoided any surprises? Based on your answers, consider the advantages and
disadvantages of the cultural values and norms you hold. Think about the pros
and cons of cultures that have differing values and norms.
 Analysis

The interpersonal relationship under my point of study is:

“Friendship with ABC”.

Please note:
The name of my friend has been referred to as ABC in this analysis.

Before proceeding with the analysis of the differences which might occur in our
friendship (interpersonal relationship) if both ABC and myself adopt different
values and norms for ourselves which may even be exact opposites of each
other, I would first list those values and norms of both of us as follows:-

Values and Norms adopted by me :-

1. Complete formal style of dressing.

2. Greeting others (new people) traditionally by showing Namaste.
3. Studying early in the morning (Around 6:00 A.M).
4. Religious beliefs like fasting …etc.

Values and Norms adopted by ABC :-

1. Casual style of dressing.

2. Greeting others (new people) with a handshake.
3. Studying during midnight (Around 1:00 A.M).
4. Belief in GOD.
It can be observed from the above lists that most of the values and norms
adopted by each of us are almost the extreme opposites.

Some of the differences that may arise in our friendship can be brief up as
follows. It is to be noted at this point that this list is comprehensive but not
exhaustive by any means and many relevant points may not be listed. They are:-

1. When we interact with both our family members an embarrassing

situation can occur when I go to meet the family members of ABC I’m
greeting by showing Namaste as opposed their way of greeting by
handshake.

2. During exams, combined study becomes a serious problem as I like

studying early in the morning and ABC likes to do so during midnight
and so exchange of ideas and information is not possible and if we get
average marks, we may end up blaming each other.

3. When attending any conference, ABC might come dressed in casuals as

opposed to my norms of formal dressing and I may avoid sitting beside
him so that I may not feel embarrassed. This may increase the gap
between our friendship.

4. If the birthday of ABC falls by chance on Monday, during which I

observe a fast, I will not be able to dine with him out of which
misunderstandings might occur.

Overall, the friendship (interpersonal relationship) becomes highly difficult to

manage unless both of us discuss a golden middle path on which we can follow.
Advantages of my cultural values and norms :-

1. Formal dressing style will give others an impression that the person is
serious and dedicated in his work.

2. Early morning study hours are the best time because it is at this time that
the mind is highly active and grasping power and potential of the mind is
almost maximum because of low or no pollution.

3. Greeting people with the traditional style of showing Namaste can give
an impression that the person is mature, cultured and well behaved.

Disadvantages of my cultural values and norms :-

1. Difficult to sustain them when away from the home country.

2. Cross Cultural communication is not easy.

Cultures having differing values and norms :-

The following is an article which explains the above heading:-

“I read David M. Raddock's Sept. 2 letter on China with amusement. Yes, we

are still eating dogs in China. What's wrong with that?

I used to feel the same as May-lee Chai (whose Aug. 26 letter Mr. Raddock
replied to) whenever I read or heard Americans talk about this Dog Thing. I do
not feel angry anymore. This is not a matter of who is more civilized or less
civilized. It is simply a matter of different tastes.

Why is eating dog meat less dignified (at least that is how it is portrayed in the
news media here) than eating beef? Does one kind of animal enjoy more rights
than another? Who decides that? I believe the majority of beef-consuming and
beef-loving Americans are intelligent enough to understand where beef comes
from.

I am not ashamed of eating dog. I have a different color of skin, I speak a

different language and I come from a different cultural background, so I
sometimes eat different food (meat in this case) too.

This is the beginning of my seventh year in the United States. America has been
a perfect country for me except for one thing: I missed having dog meat back
home.

I liked Mr. Raddock's letter. It is factual and nonjudgmental. This kind of

perspective is what we need when looking at different cultures. In today's world,
linked by common interest, it is perhaps wise and beneficial not to impose our
own values on others.”

By JAMES PIAO New York, Sept. 7, 1994.