All sections
Module 5
Me, We, and Who’s in Charge
Individuals and groups, bosses and elders, saving face, and how friendships form.
Who are you, first and foremost: an individual, or part of a family and a group? Who gets to make decisions, and who is expected to follow? What happens to someone’s dignity when they’re corrected in public? And how long does it take to turn a friendly acquaintance into a real friend?
These are some of the deepest layers of the cultural iceberg. They shape family life, workplaces, classrooms and friendships, usually without anyone noticing.
In this module, you’ll explore:
- individualism and collectivism: “I” first, or “we” first
- hierarchy and equality, and the many ways people show respect
- face: how people lose it, save it and give it
- “peach” and “coconut” friendships, and how friendships form in different cultures
If you’re short on time, Lesson 5.2 is the one not to skip.