Pause to Reflect: What Cultural Norms Do You Embrace?

In what ways is your identity shaped by who you are as an individual? In what ways is it shaped by the groups to which you belong (e.g., your family, hometown, college, clubs, religion, and so on)? Do you identify more with the cultural value of individualism or collectivism?

If the vice president of a company where you work initiates a conversation with you in the hallway, in what ways do you demonstrate that there is power distance between you (e.g., in terms of your greeting, behaviors, conversation topics, formality, and so on)? In general, do you mostly embody a high power distance or a belief that all people are equal, regardless of their rank or status?

Imagine that you are hanging out with friends when a lull occurs in the conversation. Do you appreciate the silence or find it uncomfortable? How does your comfort (or discomfort) with silence affect the way you communicate? Does this vary by relationship? If so, how?