This post highlights the work required of my SA 202: Introduction to Anthropology students. Students were given the opportunity to explore a different culture through two lenses, cultural relativism and ethnocentrism, and through this exercise learn about themselves and the other culture. Several students were given the opportunity to have their exemplary work featured on the blog, and the students who provided permission have their work featured here in this and the following blog posts. Please show your appreciation for their work through the comments.
By: Erin Lambert
In the field of anthropology, as well as throughout everyday life, people can have one of
two reactions to the differing cultural values and customs. The first is ethnocentrism, which,
according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is the view that “one’s own group, ethnicity, or
nationality is superior to others” (“Ethnocentrism”). This view often leads to discrimination
against other cultures, and can sometimes even lead to harming the people that belong to that
culture. According to the Carnegie Council, the second reaction one could have, called cultural
relativism, is the view that we should not judge other cultures based on the moral codes of our
own culture and standards (“Cultural Relativism”). The main difference between these two views
on other cultures is that ethnocentrism tends to foster ignorance, and cultural relativism leads to
understanding. However, it is natural for anyone’s first reaction to another person’s culture to be
ethnocentric, but this reaction can later lead to a culturally relativistic view.
In this essay, I will analyze an interaction between two people from two different cultures from
both an ethnocentric and culturally relativistic perspective. I will analyze how each individual
acts, the different reactions they could have had, and how each of these different reactions would
have had a more positive or negative outcome.
In the case between Wes and Sakura, we can see an example of an ethnocentric view.
Sakura shrugs off Wes’s date invitation and Wes takes this as acceptance of his advances, even
though Japanese culture views denying requests as being rude. From an ethnocentric view,
Sakura’s response could be seen as rude because it seems as though she is “stringing along” Wes.
Wes could be frustrated that Sakura will not give him a direct answer. Sakura, who is a Japanese
exchange student, could find denying requests difficult because of what she has been taught from
her culture. Wes failed to see the situation from Sakura’s point of view and immediately felt
anger towards her for her reply, not knowing the intentions behind it and how her behavior is a
reflection of the differences between Japanese and American culture. Wes should think outside of
his own cultural perspective, and consider Sakura’s actions in relation to her culture and the
emphasis it puts on not being direct or blunt in their responses.
Looking at the above situation from a culturally relativistic view, Wes’s reaction could be
a lot different. Instead of feeling frustrated with Sakura’s response, Wes could be more
sympathetic and understanding, and recognize that she comes from a culture where being direct
and denying other people’s requests is seen as taboo. He could also take Charlie’s ideas more
into consideration and realize that, even in American culture, women often face backlash for
denying requests from men for dates. When looking at the situation from this lens, Wes’s and
Sakura’s culture are not so different. Anyone in Japan could face backlash for denying a kind
request, but in America, it is often women who face backlash for denying requests from men,
and are seen as “stringing them along.”
After seeing both perspectives of this situation, I can say that my own reaction was a lot
more culturally relativistic. This is because I have prior knowledge of many of the customs from
Japan, and I know that being direct is seen as “rude,” whether you are a man or a woman.
However, I am an American woman and I can say that women do often face backlash from men
for denying simple requests, or they are seen as being “difficult” or “playing hard to get.” At the
same time, I can understand Wes’s plight in that getting a direct answer would make things a lot
easier in assessing whether or not a person is actually interested in me. However, I would not be
as frustrated as Wes, and I would understand the differences in interpretation in what Sakura said
from an American and Japanese perspective.
Overall, there are different reactions that people can have to cultures that differ from their
own. This could be an ignorance reaction rooted in feelings of superiority for one’s own culture,
or it could come from a place of wanting to understand the reasons behind certain customs and
behaviors in other cultures. As a whole, we should strive towards a culturally relativistic view of
other cultures. Moreover, an ethnocentric view may be anyone’s first reaction when we begin
learning about the specific customs of another culture, but we should come to a culturally
relativistic view after learning the reasons and history behind these customs. This could include
anything from the food, to the clothing, to the specific rituals and behaviors of people from other
cultures.
Works Cited
“Cultural Relativism.” Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, 1 Dec. 2006,
www.carnegiecouncil.org/education/001/terms/00001#:~:text=CULTURAL%20
RELATIVISM%3A%20the%20view%20that,structure%20relations%20within%20differ
ent%20societies. Accessed 2021.
“Ethnocentrism.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster,
www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethnocentrism. Accessed 2021.
Within the study of Anthropology, there are two distinctive types of evaluations that an individual can make towards another culture. Those include Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism. According to the book Anthropology: Asking Questions about Human Origins, Diversity, and Culture, Ethnocentrism is described as believing that one’s own culture and traditions are correct while other cultures are wrong (12). The text also stated that Cultural Relativism is described as a principle that allows one to observe another culture completely without judgement (12). An example of each can be explained through eating with the right hand as opposed to the left. In some Asian cultures such as Indian, it is considered deplorable to eat with the left hand because we commonly use our left hand to wipe our bottoms when we use the restroom. A person with an Ethnocentric perception may believe that this particular custom in Asian culture is ridiculous. The individual would say that we have left and right hands for a reason and believe that we should use either one when necessary. An individual with a Cultural Relativistic perception would understand that this culture has probable cause to believe that the left hand is unclean and if they choose not to eat with their left hands, then that is their choice and just because it is different does not mean it is wrong. This paper will discuss how to apply an Ethnocentric and a Cultural Relativistic view to a specific scenario.
Wes is upset because the Japanese exchange student did not simply say she was either interested or not interested in going out with him. If she is in America, then she should at least try to get familiar with American culture and maybe acclimate for the duration of her stay in this country. Relationships in general are confusing, especially romantic relationships because communicating with peers can be very difficult. It is all dependent on one’s interpretation of the conversation. In some circumstances, women in this country usually can tell a man whether or not they would like to date directly. She led him on. She should have just politely declined. This way she would have expressed her decision and his feelings would not be hurt. Sakura saying “maybe another time” gives the impression that she wants to arrange a date at a later time. Instead, she should have said “no thank you” rather than imply she would like to see him later.
One has to be understanding of another’s culture whether he believes in it or not. In Sakura’s country of Japan it is considered rude to decline an offer. Though Wes did not know that was one of her customs at the time, when he did find out, it should have been taken into consideration. It is possibly her first time in this country, she probably does not want to make any enemies or foes in a foreign country, and she is probably scared or a little anxious because this is a brand new environment for her. Also, Charlie made a very good point in regards to women not wanting to reject men. Charlie brought to Wes’ attention that a lot of women are scared to turn men down because of the reaction they may receive. This is very important to consider. Wes should keep in mind that she is around new people, and she may not know who she can trust. Wes should respect that her culture is based on politeness and will not allow her to tell him “no” directly.
Upon reading the scenario and accessing both ethnocentric and cultural relativistic perceptions, I truly understand all sides of the conversation. Wes should not have reacted the way he did. Sakura is an exchange student and is probably scared about the new environment she is in and the new people she is around. Her customs forbid her from declining offers. At the same time, Wes is an American male who is probably used to women saying “maybe another time” in a literal sense. He assumed it did not need further explanation. I understand his frustration. However, I think he should have taken into consideration that a number of women worldwide have been brutally murdered or beaten for even politely rejecting men. I always try to be as nice as possible not only because I do not want to upset a man, but I also know that it takes a lot of confidence to approach someone you like. I think what can resolve this is Sakura and Wes getting to know each other's cultures. Wes would know how to address Sakura in regards to Japanese culture and Sakura would learn more about American culture including our semantics.
In conclusion, the study of Anthropology consists of two types of perspectives that an individual can have towards another culture. Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism. This paper has discussed how to apply an Ethnocentric and a Cultural Relativistic view to a specific scenario. In the case of Sakura and Wes, they both were ignorant about each other's cultures. Wes assumed that by Sakura saying “maybe another time” she was saying there is a chance of them eventually going on a date. She really was saying “no” politely, according to her culture. Upon finding out that she did decline his offer, Wes then completely overreacted.They both could benefit from swapping cultural information with each other. This way they will both have more of an understanding and appreciation for Japanese and American culture.
Work Cited
Welsch, Robert Louis, et al. Anthropology: Asking Questions about Human Origins, Diversity, and Culture. Oxford University Press, 2017.
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