Cultural CV and Cultural Onion

An example for the five layers of culture (values, taboos, heroes, rituals, symbols)

Research Paper (undergraduate) , 2009 , 6 Pages , Grade: 1,0

Politics - Other International Politics Topics

An example for the five layers of culture (values, taboos, heroes, rituals, symbols) that are representative for your culture.

One influencial aspect on German culture is the competitive situation at school in Germany.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Symbols
• Within my Culture
• For me
• Rituals
• Within my Culture
• For me
• Heroes
• Within my Culture
• For me
• Values
• Within my Culture
• For me
• Taboos
• Within my Culture
• For me

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This cultural CV is an exploration of the impact of competition on the author's personal and professional development within German society. It analyzes how the competitive nature of the German educational and professional systems has shaped the author's values, perceptions, and behaviors.

• The influence of competition in German education and society
• The author's personal values and beliefs
• The contrast between individualistic and collaborative approaches
• The importance of cultural context in shaping personal experiences
• The evolution of the author's understanding of cultural norms and values

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

Symbols

This section delves into the symbolic significance of material possessions in German culture. The author describes how owning a house, car, and boat are viewed as markers of success and status. In contrast, the author's own personal symbols are more focused on collecting memories through objects like flags and Coca-Cola glasses.

Rituals

The author explores the importance of greeting rituals in German culture, emphasizing the hierarchy involved in who greets whom first. This section also discusses the book of etiquette, Knigge, and its role in teaching proper behavior. The author's own experience with the Knigge is presented as a humorous but effective lesson in etiquette.

Heroes

This section focuses on the role of politicians and celebrities as cultural heroes in Germany. The author cites Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Angela Merkel as contemporary examples of admired figures. In contrast, the author's own heroes, particularly in childhood, have been more individualistic and less politically focused.

Values

The author highlights key values ingrained in German culture, such as punctuality, neatness, cleanliness, and diligence. The author's own values, however, emphasize politeness, tolerance, openness, knowledge, and discretion.

Taboos

This section delves into the evolving taboo surrounding the display of the German flag. The author describes how the flag was once associated with negativity and how the 2006 World Cup helped to change public perception. The author's own taboo focuses on the responsible consumption of alcohol in the context of sports.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This cultural CV examines the impact of competition, individualistic versus collaborative approaches, German education, professional development, cultural values, and personal experiences within the context of German society. The text explores how these factors have shaped the author's own values, beliefs, and perspectives.

• College: Free University of Berlin (Center for Global Politics)
• Course: Intercultural Communication
• Grade: 1,0
• Author: Natalie Züfle (Author)
• Publication Year: 2009
• Pages: 6
• Catalog Number: V180070
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656026440
• Language: English
• Tags: intercultural communication, Interkulturelle Kommunikation, cultural onion, cultural CV