A Culture Comparisonsof United States vs. Indian and Vietnam

A Culture Comparisonsof United States vs. Indian and Vietnam

This paper outlines the differences in the cultures of the United States versus Asian Indian and Vietnamese cultures.  I will look at these countries and make not only a comparison based on cultures, but also comparisons from a business perspective.  Although there are many differences in general societies, some issues such as women in the workplace, and images in the media, stand across many borders.

Using the United States as my comparison culture I will first discuss the customs, beliefs, and values of Americans as a society.  Americans value making something of their lives in terms of family, and work from an early age.  As children we are told that we can do and be anything we want.

We believe that everyone has equal opportunity to go to school, find a good job, marry and live happily ever after.  These ideas are actually far-fetched compared with reality, but still some of the beliefs we hold true.

Americans value achievement, personal success, and independence.  We feel it is important to “climb the ladder” of success in the workforce and focus on constant improvement.

The following are a few of the values, and beliefs of those of Asian Indian decent.  There is a heavy emphasis on family, religion and social issues.  Under one roof it is not uncommon for a husband, wife and also the mother and father of the husband or wife to all be living together.

When a woman is married it is custom for the man’s family to take the woman into their home.  Even after having children, or becoming able to support their family on their own, the couple will continue living as an extended family.   Elders are seen as having wisdom, and dignity, very unlike the American culture where elderly are shunned and thought to be worthless.

Religion is an important part of many people in India.  Indian people integrate religion to every aspect of their lives- from daily chores, to education and politics.  Hinduism is the dominant faith; however Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism are also practiced in India.   Each religion has its own dance, music, heroes, legends, pilgrimage sites, and even culinary specialties, which are all celebrated by various festivals though out communities in India.

Some of the social issues that concern Indians are the promotion of democracy, freedom from discrimination, independence of thought, and rights of women and children.  The government and voluntary agencies have joined in order for the society to find ways to solve these issues and strive for equal opportunities for people from all income levels, and gender.

In Vietnam the some of the values, beliefs and customs deal with nature, scholastic achievement and family.  Many businesses in Vietnam strive to make products that are environmentally safe and also produce goods with equipment that have “green” (eco/ozone friendly) trademarks.   People will have more respect of those companies who place value in how their products are made and what goes into them.

Scholastic achievement is important to many Vietnamese and many are very strong and determined in achieving their goals.  Their scholastic goals may be to finish a secondary education, or to attend a university and start their own business.   Although not as focused solely on achievement as Euro-Americans, Vietnamese do have high hopes in scholastic and business arenas.

Family is also a strong value in Vietnamese culture.  Large families are traditional and the elderly/grandparents are taken care of buy their children, or grandchildren until they die.  Children are to live at home until they are married, at that point the woman will move in with the man’s family.   Polygamy was legal in Vietnam until 1959; at that point only the first wife a man took was then considered his wife, all others were dissolved.

As in India, family also plays a large role in Vietnamese culture.  In America it is often questioned why someone would chose to live close to his or her parents rather than break away from their family.  Extended family simply is not a valued by Americans.   Starting one’s own family may be a big importance, however remaining close to parents, aunts, grandparents, is not as valued.

Mary Kay-Dallas, Texas- beauty products

Company’s mission- Mary Kay’s mission is to enrich women’s lives.  We will do this in tangible ways, by offering quality products to consumers, financial opportunities to our independent sales force, and fulfilling career to our employees.   We also will reach out to the heart and spirit of women, enabling personal growth and fulfillment for the women whose lives we touch.  We will carry out our mission in a spirit of caring, living the positive values on which our company was built. – taken from www.marykay.com

Mary Kay, being one of the leading cosmetic industries aims to give women not only a quality product, but to make them become active in the company.  Following the American Dream, Mary Kay gives women the opportunity to not only buy products but also to become their own independent seller.

Women are told they can achieve a multitude of success ranging from financial security to the pink Cadillac.  Mary Kay values achievement in women and the idea that anyone can go from mere “independent beauty rep” to head of her own team of representatives in a matter of moments.

Unlike the research I found from other countries there is no emphasis on eco- friendly or environmental practices.  The website for Mary Kay showed pictures of women whom belong to many different racial backgrounds, unlike the other companies.

Ayurveda- New Delhi, India- beauty, skin products

Company’s Vision- CombiiOrganochem’s (company’s creator) philosophy of activating the body to help itself, so that healing and correction can take place from within, continues to spearhead the company, to attain with its Herbline range of products, a greater level of product improvement, quality enhancement and customer satisfaction. – taken from www.herbline.com

Ayurveda is a product line made by Herbline, which creates beauty, skin and hair products.  This company values herbal remedies, creating products that are not tested on animals, and packaging their products in recyclable materials.  With these strong values I also find it interesting that Ayurveda markets a skin lightener, which brings in more than $100 million dollar a year, but has also been a huge controversy recently in India.

The advertisements seen and major celebrities in India all are more highly praised and are given better roles based on how light their skin is.  Although the company has strong environmental views, it is also contributing to a market that is causing many young girls to believe, the fairer your skin, the more beautiful you will be.   That is very much the American culture, and I am sure our media influence on India has caused some of the insecurities of darker skinned women.

Ayurveda does have a diversity and opportunity statement that reads- We value diversity and have clear policies and procedures to promote equal opportunities in diverse cultures. We value employees from varied backgrounds as they enrich our culture and support our commercial success. Our group-wide Equal Employment Opportunities & Diversity Policy emphasizes that we recruit and promote employees on the basis of their suitability for the job without discriminating on grounds of race, color, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital status, or disability. We have clear procedures to promote and .............