Title: The Culture Iceberg
1The Culture Iceberg
- Hanna Mujunen
- Susa-Marika Väänänen
- Anna Hassanova
2The culture iceberg
- Popular metaphor used to represent cultural
components - Different countries vary in these elements
- -Western/ Eastern
- Tip (surface culture) of the iceberg is shown
when first arriving in a foreign culture - Level of awareness and the deep culture are
less recognisable.
3Finland
Estonia
Age A Language A
Art, music, literature B Manners B
Body language A Modesty B
Ceremonies/ traditions C Personal space B
Concept of Justice B Personal Friendship A
Corporate structure A Punctuality A
Corruption B Race/ethnicity B
Directness of speech A Religion C
Dress A Showing emotions A
Family life A Social interaction B
Gender roles B Social status A
Gestures/ Facial expressions A Treatment of foreigners B
Humour B Values and Beliefs C
Age A Language B
Art, music, literature B Manners B
Body language A Modesty B
Ceremonies/ traditions B Personal space A
Concept of Justice B Personal Friendship A/B
Corporate structure B Punctuality A
Corruption A Race/ethnicity B
Directness of speech A Religion C
Dress A Showing emotions B
Family life B Social interaction B
Gender roles B Social status C
Gestures/ Facial expressions A Treatment of foreigners B
Humour B Values and Beliefs C
4Finnish/ Estonian cultural Iceberg similarities
Expressions
Punctuality
Age
Directness of speech
Dress
Body language
Modesty
Race
Art, music, literature
Concept of justice
Humour
Social interaction
Religion
Treatment of foreigners
gender roles
Values and beliefs
5Finland
- Generalisation
- Individualistic culture
- -self-bossed/competent individualism
- Honesty
- Straightforward /stubborn
- Nuclear family (members of extended family
typically live apart, and youths seek
independence around the age of 20) - Traditions based mostly on the Western Christian
calendar and Protestant traditions. - -Todays society many traditions are
diminishing - Relationships Strong bonds are formed after
social interactions ex. sauna - Body language Straightforward / independent
(reserved) / space - Values beliefs individual depending on
background, experiences. - Religion- One is accustomed with the state
church (and religion, maybe even God) being there
but dont want it (them) to interfere with your
life - (www.helsinki.fi/finntest)
- Manners are European (especially young people)
and attitudes quite liberal and relaxed - Modesty no boasting culture and Finns maintain a
low profile
- Business culture
- Low-context cultural country
- Monocronic
- Westernized / masculine
- Straightforward / verbal communication
- Punctual / time
- Equality
- Form short-term relationships
- Honesty all words are taken seriously people
stay behind their words. - Manners/ eye contact/ hand-shake
- Presentation formal/ clean cut
- Wish to avoid confusion
- Business lunches/dinner entertainment and for
negotiation - Respect/ status hierarchical ladder
- Age/gender position and status in company
- Older people are respected more than younger ones
- - changing due to youth accessing more
information - Power distance
- Do not like to be supervised /Good
self-discipline
6Estonia
- Business culture
- Low-context cultural country/ monocronic
- Masculine
- Short-term orientation
- Respect/ honesty/ straightforward/ punctual
- Foreign influence black markets
- Equality
- Tactical negotiations, not collaborative and
conciliatory in manner - Responsible/ direct/ patient / silent
- Eye contact/ handshake
- Honesty / courteous
- Hierarchical structure/ respect elderly
- Short term relationships
- Generalisation
- In informal situations relaxed and open
- Individualistic culture
- Humour Ironical/sarcastic and disguised
- Rationalistic mentality Germans left their
mark - Stubborn
- Equality/ liberalism
- Family structure nuclear family
- Traditions Western Christian calendar and
Protestant traditions - Religion- individual
- -16- God 54 spirits 26 Atheist
- Most non-religious people in the then 25-member
European Union. - - Lutheranism due to links to Nordic countries
- Language important bearer of national identity
7Conclusion (similarities)
- The table and the iceberg represents the
similarities between Finnish and Estonian
culture. - Both are low-context cultural countries, thus
they have many components in common - - Dress/expression/ age/ body language
- - Even some of the words are the same in both
cultures as they belong to the Fenno-Ugric group.
( ex. Kaunis) - Similar communication patterns interrupting is
considered impolite. - The cultural layers of Estonia and Finland show
more resemblance than meets the eye. - In order to maintain and develop their cultural
identity the Estonians and Finns are interacting
with the world
- Structured co-corporation that leaves room for
their independence - The cognitive level many similarities
- Race/ humour/ social interaction/ art/music
literature/ modesty/ treatment of foreigners - Can be learned behaviour learning
- Can be recognized
- Emotional level Religion / values and beliefs
- - Individual according to various elements, such
as traditions, experiences. - - Emotional level is the core of the culture,
deep, moral, time consuming. - - Not recognisable in Finland or Estonia
-
8Conclusion (differences)
- Differences between Finland and Estonia in the
cultural components are - -Corruption, personal space, ceremonies,
corporate structure, family life, social status - -Corruption People trust authorities in Finland
and are given the idea that corruption does not
exist. - -In Estonia, people are more aware of the
corruption, thus social status has become
important to the public. - -Hierarchical levels are more respected in
Estonia when in Finland equality is appreciated.
- -Family life may differ depending on individuals,
in Finland however it is more common to leave at
an earlier age. - -Personal space is appreciated by both cultures,
however Estonian people do not show it as openly
as Finnish people .