Cross Culture

Interview

Zhaoying, Chen (Michelle)

Royal Roads University

COMM 350

Juana Du

Jan 31, 2015

Interviewer: Michelle Chen (Chinese)

Interviewee: Rahima Anwar Khan (Afghan)

Rahima is my BAPC program colleague, who comes from Kapisa, Afghanistan. I went to her apartment to interview her. From the interview and the way she treat her guest- me, I found some cultural similarities and differences.

Similarities:

1. Food

“Our main food are rice and nang, nang is a kind of crusty pancake or bread”, said Rahima. In China, nang is a significant food in Xinjiang. Also, this kind of round bread made by flours is the main food of northern cities in China. For southern cities, rice is one of the most important foods. I found that Afghan foods are close to the food that Xinjiang’s food in China. Both of them do not eat pork. They have lamb or beef. The most important reason that leads to this food similarity is religion. In Xinjiang, most people believe in Islam. In Koran, Muslim is forbidden to have pork. So do Afghan people, Afghanistan is a well known Islamic country.

2. Treating guest

When I was in Rahima’s apartment, she gave me tea and filled it up for me when finished. In China, when we have guests, we served them tea or water. We’ll fill the cup for the guests too. “We will have whole roasted lamb to treat important guests or in festivals”, said Rahima. In my city- Guangzhou, when we have guests in home or in festivals, we will have whole chicken or roasted suckling pig. Although the meat is different, the way to treat guests is very similar. Roasted lamb or pigs always take a long time, and this is one way to represent their respect and warm welcome to guests.

Difference:

“I pray three times a day, I wash my hands and put my traditional carpet out before I pray”, said Rahima. Although she doesn’t wears scarf on her head, but she still keeps her religion. Rahima and her family moved to Canada when she was 11. Although they have been living in Canada for so...