STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION
“Different Nations And Their Culture: Indonesia, Philippines, and Russia”
Putu Ratih Pertiwi, Percy
Piedad Villaruel, Galina Timashova
Master
2 Tourism and Hospitality Management
ESTHUA
Université
Angers
2013
Being immersed
with different people from different country gives you an opportunity to have
an awareness on cultural differences. Awareness to culture is the foundation of
communication to understand ourselves and to become aware to our behaviour,
values, beliefs and perception. This will explain how things do in that way.
How we see things in a different perspective and how we react on different
situation.
Today, in this globalisation era we find
cross-culture everywhere, for exemple we have western culture, eastern culture,
latin culture, middle-eastern culture, and african culture especially in big
city of the country like New York, Paris, London, etc where the population come
from all over the world and the culture is influenced by the many groups of people
who make up the country.
To be accepeted
in society, we have to know how to communicate with the others, whether in
little scoop society for exemple within the family member where we almost have
the same culture or moreover when we are in bigger scoop where we have so many
different culture for exemple in international society which is going to be
more complicated.
Sometimes
culture can be a wall for us but when we have an effort to understand and
appreciate the others, certainly we can break the wall. Culture by it self could
be defined as the characteristics of a particular group of people, defined by
everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts.[1]
Therefore, we
need to be able to tolerate the other foreign culture to be accepeted by the
others. Three of us were always have conversation about our own country of
origin. From our day to day conversation
we were able to share our experiences, our values and our cultural background
that lead us to see and do things in a certain way. It is very helpful to
gather feedback from foreign colleagues on our behaviour to get more clarity on
our cultural traits. In this article we are going to talk about different
nations and their culture between Indonesia, Philippines, and Russia.
Indonesian Culture
It is quite easy
to make a friend with the Indonesian since we are not really introvert and we
like talking and sharing of the ideas the only problem is the problem of
language. Indonesia love to invite everyone to their home to have lunch or
dinner together and spent their free time to talk. You will be questioning what
makes our country special? And the answer is Indonesia are archipelago country,
we have so many different culture where we can show the tolerance to each
other. It is going to be very amazing, but it is sometimes difficult and we
have to face some violence.
The lovely
thing, in our culture we use to smile and hospitalize to everyone we love to
talk to each other even we just know on the street or in public area it’s weird
but we do it anyway. And we don’t hesitate to say this person is my friend this
person is my family even we just met.
Tradition & Religion
In Indonesia, we
have 5 religions, they are Islam as the majority, followed by Catholic,
Protestant, Buddhist, and Hindu. It’s amazing to have many different religions
and cultures as long as we keep the tolerance and appreciate each other.
We can say that
tradition and religion here in Indonesia are stick together they could not be
apart. For examples, people from Bali province are Hindu, but as Hindu in Bali
they have the different tradition as Hindu in India, and we have different
wedding tradition within Indonesia, in Bali we have so many steps for the
wedding it is almost over 3 weeks for the ceremony.
Why do we have
that kind of tradition and religion? Because long years ago, before those
religions came to Indonesia we already had our own cultures and traditions.
Where each island in Indonesia ran their own culture and tradition as their ancients
taught. Thus, while the culture and the tradition has been embedded in each
person in Indonesia, then those religions alternately came into Indonesia, it
was then that people in Indonesia chose which religion they believed, and live
with both of them, their tradition and their religion simultaneously.
The Taboos
We are not
allowed to mention the race in Indonesia since Indonesia is an archipelago
country so we have so many race and culture diversity. We divided into 4 races:
first we are negroid we live in Papua. Second, we are Weddoid we live in Maluku
and East Nusa Tenggara (Kupang). Third, we are Proto Melayu we live in Sumatra,
Jawa, Madura, Bali, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and West Nusa Tenggara. Fourth, we
are Deutro Melayu we live in Sumatra, Kalimantan (Dayak), and Sulawesi.
How To Communicate and Have The Conversation
To give our
point of view, we cannot be really strict (most of us) so when we have to give
our point of view we usually search some polite words and we say it slowly (not
the sound) but the way we talk. The main topics of conversation usually it is
about family (how many kids do you have, where do they go to school).
But, every time
we want to start a conversation we always have to remember who is the person
that we talk to, because we always have to mention their title or simply to
greet them. For examples, se greet the elder people by their title for example:
for men we call them “Bapak” and for women we call them “Ibu” then followed by their name it doesn’t matter
first name or sure name. While we greet them we have to bow our head to show
our politeness. For friends we use to hug and kiss them on the left and their
right chick. But sometimes we just shaking hands and bowing our head and don’t
forget to smile J. It’s not common to call our parents
by their name we still have to call them Bapak/Ayah/Papa/Papi for father and
Ibu/Bunda/Mama/Mami for mother.
Everday Life
We do not go
work on Sunday as normal, we work from Monday to Friday, and on Saturday we usually have half day of work, or
just off. Our working hours normally 8 until 9 hours, from 8 or 9 am until 4 or
5 pm. But It depends on the entreprise we work.
On holiday, we
really love to spend our free time to stay at home with the family just to have
a long conversation and the word family here means WHOLE BIG FAMILY, or just hanging
out with our friends, yeah as Indonesian we also love to hanging out with some
friends outside. Unfortunately we do not have the four seassons vacation as
other countries, but do not be sad we still have many national holidays
considering that we have 5 religions in our countries, well we should respect
each religion when they have their holiday celebration J.
Any
superstitions? Yes we do have, two of them is: “if there is a
butterfly/butterflies come to your home or your room it means we will receive a
or some guests” and “if there is a crow come near by your house it means bad
news (the death)”.
As a human being
we never ever could ignoring the food, couldn’t you? No we could not! As
Indonesian, considering that we are divided to many cultures we have VARIOUS
traditional foods that we would die to to have it! And yes we have our own
eating habits.
We have 3 times
of eating breakfast at 7 am for 15 minutes but it depends on our school or
working hour we can take it earlier. For lunch we usually have it between 12-2
pm we have it around 1 hours, and for dinner we have it between 6.30 – 8 pm and
we have it for 1 or 1 and half hours. Normally, Indonesian do not eat in long
time we eat very fast and we don’t have any appetizer or dessert we only have
main course with the vegetables and meats, soups, fruits, and cakes can be
eaten in the beginning or after the heavy meal. And the important thing we
always eat the heavy meal even for the breakfast we love chicken porridge for
our breakfast.
We are
Indonesian we love to eat together and share everything together. For example
Indonesian Restaurants don't serve the food by plates but the serves the food
by the big portion of each menu and we will take some menus with rice of course
and we have it and share it together. For addition, we do not apply table
manner in our daily life, but it does not mean that we do not know it at all, unless
in special occasion or in formal restaurants, we will apply that table manner,
because our tradition is to eat by our fingers of our right hand.
Education and Rules
We take
seriously about the education. Education in Indonesia is under the responsibility of
the Ministry of Education and Culture. In Indonesia, all citizens must
undertake nine years of compulsory education which consists of six years at
elementary level and three in secondary level. There is Islamic schools which are under the
responsibility of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Education is
defined as a planned effort to establish a study environment and education
process so that the student may actively develop his/her own potential to gain
the religious and spiritual level, consciousness, personality, intelligence, behavior and creativity to him/herself, other citizens
and for the nation.
Education in
Indonesia is divided into two major parts, formal and non-formal. Formal
education is further divided into three levels, primary, secondary and tertiary
education.
Schools in
Indonesia are run either by the government or private sectors. Some private
schools refer to themselves as "national plus
schools" which means that they intend to go beyond the minimum
government requirements, especially with the use of English as medium of
instruction or having an international-based curriculum instead of the national
one.
Big issue in our
country relating to the rules is, normally we are allowed to get the driving
license in 18 years old to drive car and 16 years old to ride motorcycle, but
in Indonesia we still have to fight for the corruption so we can pay more to
some agent to get the license earlier. The worse is it’s now become a tradition
even we are already in qualified age to apply the license we still have to pay
more to get the license easier and when we are trying to be idealist and fight
the corruption by ignoring the agent who come after us to offer their service we
will get much difficulties and we won’t get any license for years.
Filipino Culture
Country as
special – Filipino is known for being hospitable. Moreover, people loves
celebration even a simple one. You can notice that even though they have
problems in life still they are happy, and full of smile in their faces.
How to Communicate
Greetings to
elder people – To show respect to the elder people, they used the word “po” or
“opo” in Philippines. In a family member, majority of young people kiss the
grandparents and their parents too as part of greeting or by getting the right
hand of the elder and placed it on the head.
People have a
lot of choice to call their father and mother. If you are belong to the upper
class or your family have money and you have a big house with cars, they use
mommy and daddy or just Dad and Mam. If you are part of the middle class
usually they call their parents as Mama and Papa. For the lower class, they use
“Tatay” and “Nanay” and sometimes “ Ina”
for mother and” Ama” for father.
To Greeting
friends, majority in Philippines just say Hi and Hello and ask how are you? how
is your day? But nowadays , gentlemen
do handshake and ladies do kiss and we
call it ”beso beso”.
Tips to have
friend- Majority of the Filipino is easy to became friend, just be you. Show
them your real personality, your attitude, your habits, the way you speak
everything, they will accept you for who you are. Also be open to criticism and
suggestion, true friends is the one who will be in your side and understand
what ever situation you have.
Sensitivities
There are some
taboos in Philippines we have to becareful to discuss about religion because
this may create misunderstanding. It is fine to talk about religion if you
belong to the same group. Another thing that you should avoid in the discussion
is about politics especially during election period. Sometimes it causes you to
a physical trouble.
Daily Life
Main Food – Same
as Indonesia their main food is rice, of course they have noodles and breads
but for main daily meals they prefer to have rice. Of course in a table you
have to observed table manners especially when you are attending in a formal
occasion.
In giving point
of view, they usually speak directly with the main issue but still we need to be careful with the feelings
of other people on what you are going to say.
We always give constructive criticism.
Sleeping in
others house is common in Philippines, especially when you are friends and
sometimes if you have homework to do or project with your classmates it is
better to sleep in your classmates’ house. It is acceptable in our country.
Speak about driving
license in Philippines at the age of 18, you can now apply for the student
driving license, just submit required documents and payment. Professional
driving license can be obtain if you passed all examination both in written and
in actual.
National Day, Holiday, Special Day
In Philippines
they have a lot of National Holiday.
Christmas day during December, New Year, every 1st day of May, they
celebrate Labor Day. Every 12th of June, they celebrate our Independence.
November 1 is consider as holiday as they celebrate as All saints Day and
November 2 as the day of all the dead. they also have numerous special Holidays
depending to the proclamation of their President.
Russian Culture
Relationship, Dating, Marriage
When a guy and a
lady went for a date, usually the man is the one who pay for the food,
transportation and for the cinema. I
asked Galina if the guy visit to the house of the girl asking permission
Weddings usually last for two days. But quite often the second day of the
wedding is celebrated in a shortened version.
As a rule, the
wedding day begins with the bride price when the groom and his friends trying
to prove the bride's family the right to marry her. The tradition of bride
price originated in ancient times. As the name of this ceremony, the groom then
literally bathed bride from her family with money.
But nowadays
bride price turn into a hilarious comic effect, where the money is sometimes
overshadowed and play just symbolic (but not always), and the fore fun contests
and jobs for the groom. Passing one test after another, the groom is slowly but
surely coming to his bride. Ransom ends when the groom to the bride breaks, and
gave her wedding bouquet.
After the bride
price is usually a small reception when guests admonishes the bride and groom
before a trip to the registry office, teaching them to love and respect each
other for their life together. Filling out all the necessary formalities, the
young couple to the sound of a march by Mendelssohn, accompanied by her wedding
procession enters the hall solemn registration of marriages
Soft voice
leading, short groom and bride cries, "Yes", "Yes". And for
future newlyweds come to the table and secured signatures your marriage. It was
from that moment on they become husband and wife. Then the wedding procession
goes to the church, where the bride and groom make the mystery wedding, pinning
thus their marriage, not only to people but to God. Of course, this only
happens if the wedding is planned in the program of the wedding day. Orthodox
wedding rite takes about 40 minutes.
Married, the
couple, along with their guests going to the wedding walk Weddings usually last
for two days. But quite often the second day of the wedding is celebrated in a
shortened version. As a rule, the wedding day begins with the bride price when
the groom and his friends trying to prove the bride's family the right to marry
her.
Death, Funeral
Russian funeral
rite is based on both pagan Slavic representation and the Orthodox traditions.
The corpse of the deceased was interred in a specially fenced cemetery
resembles both the city and park, and then buried outside the cemetery just
suicides. The dead body is placed inside the coffin, and can put your favourite
items of the deceased. To the place of burial coffin carries a specially
equipped car, hearse. In carrying the coffin they follow the belief that body
endure feet first, but put his head to the west.
There will also
funeral programs, Appreciations are wreaths and bouquets of flowers but please
take note that it is important to give even number of flowers. The coffin was
lowered into the grave. Relatives of the deceased in the coffin throw clods. After
the burial of the deceased in the home occurs commemoration. Mirrors curtain
fabric, in a conspicuous place is dead picture in a black frame, before which
sometimes place a shot of vodka. Black clothes are wearing during the ceremony.
Religion
In Russia the main religion is Orthodox
Christianity. Amost 49 % of the population belongs to that religion. They also have other religions such as Islam,
Tengrianism, Buddhism, Protestantism, Hinduism, Catholicism, and Judaism.
Traditions
Russian people greet elder people by
their title for example: for men we call them “Muzhchina or Dedushka” and for
women we call them “Zhenshchina or Babuska” , if you do not know them. If we
know, then they use the first name and patronymic-name.
Like other country, for women hugs and
kisses do when greeting friends and for men just hand shake. Children called
their father and mother is called as “Papa” and “Mama”. Russian known as their traditional dance, and one of the famous russian song that has been famous all over the the world is "Kalinka".
Education
People in Russia spend 10 years in
education. Children go to school from 6-7 years. Three years of primary school,
7 years old - high school. The academic year is divided into quarters. After
school, they have college (secondary vocational education - 3 years) or
university (4 years - Bachelor's degree and 2 years for Master.
Food, eating habits
If the dining table is a mixed company,
the man should pour into glasses and beverages alcohol for woman. When eating
food should chew with your mouth closed. During the meal they must not did not
issue any sounds and eat quietly, modestly, not overtaking and keeping up with
the rest. In Russian service: they put on the table a few salads in big bowls.
And everyone leaves himself a little in a small bowl. Potatoes, porridge,
soups, especially borsch are the common meal in Russia.
Celebration
Russia celebrate different holidays
such as; New Year, Christmas, National Women’s Day, and June 12 for
commemorating the independence of Russia from the sovereign of USSR.
Other Information
At the age of 18, they can now have
driver license and drive a car. Similarly to other country like Philippines and
Indonesia there is also issue of bribery - without the "bribe", it is
difficult to pass the exam on driver licence. Curfew is also implemented in
Russia. Children under 18 not allowed being outside the home after 11 pm without
adult. Galina also shared some tips on how to gain friends in Russia. It is
simple; majority are sociable and like to meet new people. She added that in
Russia there is a problem of language.
[1] Culture definition by Kim Ann Zimmermann, http://www.livescience.com/21478-what-is-culture-definition-of-culture.html , retrieving Wednesday 20
March 2013.
