Learn a New Culture TED Talk

How do greetings in Spain differ from those in Norway, as described by the speaker?

• In Spain, greetings are formal, while in Norway, they are informal.

• In Spain, "Hola" is a general greeting, while in Norway, "Hei hei" implies a need for conversation.

• Spanish greetings are brief, whereas Norwegian greetings are extended.

• Spanish people avoid greetings in shops, unlike Norwegians who always greet.

What was the speaker's academic background, and how did it influence his understanding of culture?

• He studied social anthropology, which directly led to his cultural insights.

• He studied mechanical engineering, and his work with human-made spacecraft helped him understand cultural dynamics.

• He studied astrodynamics, a subfield of mechanical engineering, and learned about culture through observing human-made spacecraft.

• He studied linguistics, which helped him learn four new languages and understand cultural communication.

What unexpected cultural interaction did the speaker experience on a bus in China?

• An older woman refused his offered seat and then sat on his lap.

• He was expected to give up his seat, but no one took it.

• He offered his seat, and the woman politely declined and stood.

• The bus driver asked him to give up his seat for an elderly passenger.

According to the speaker, what is the primary function of culture?

• To provide a set of rules for formal social events.

• To dictate what is considered good or bad behavior within a group.

• To establish national identities and traditions.

• To facilitate communication across different language barriers.

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What initially caused tension between the Lebanese and Swiss-German families at the wedding?

• Disagreement over the wedding menu.

• Different approaches to expressing emotions during the ceremony.

• A dispute over seating arrangements.

• The choice of wedding attire.

How did the two families at the multicultural wedding eventually connect and overcome their initial cultural differences?

• By engaging in a formal debate about cultural norms.

• Through shared musical performance and drinking.

• By exchanging traditional gifts.

• By strictly adhering to one family's customs.

In the speaker's analogy, what characterizes a "peach" culture?

• A culture that is hard on the outside but soft on the inside.

• A culture where emotions are subtle and physical distance is maintained.

• A culture that is soft and welcoming on the outside, but may have a harder core to get to know.

• A culture that values strict adherence to rules and traditions.

What are the two contrasting interpretations of "equality of opportunity" discussed by the speaker?

• Providing equal resources to everyone versus providing resources based on individual needs.

• Ensuring everyone starts at the same level versus ensuring everyone finishes at the same level.

• Giving everyone the same amount of money versus giving everyone the same job.

• Offering the same education to all versus offering different education paths.