If the caseworker had demanded to take Maria to a hospital instantly or tried to force her into Maria’s room, it would likely have aggravated the situation and met with strong resistance from Maria’s mother. Maria’s mother held profoundly rooted cultural beliefs and notions that influenced her decisions concerning her daughter’s health. She was under the impression that evil spirits had taken over Maria and were causing her illness, leading her to take drastic actions like locking her in the room with scissors suspended above her bed.
Truong et al. (2020) remarked that it is paramount to comprehend and respect these beliefs while finding a solution to provide a patient with medical attention. The general knowledge of the illness, its causes, treatments, and prevention can differ across cultures (Truong et al., 2020). In this scenario, three prevailing insights can be observed:
Cultural Belief: Evil Spirits and Possession
First, the mother believed that Maria’s illness was driven by evil spirits that had taken possession of her. This belief is rooted in cultural notions of supernatural forces and their influence on health and well-being. The mother’s actions, like locking Maria in her bedroom and suspending scissors above her bed, were attempts to ward off the evil spirits.
Treatment: Folk Healing Practices
The mother employed folk healing techniques from her cultural background to alleviate Maria’s illness. These practices are founded on traditional remedies passed down through generations and frequently constitute rituals, herbs, or other remedies believed to have healing properties. In this case, the scissors were utilized as a symbolic tool to cut off the entry of evil spirits into Maria’s body.
Prevention: Spiritual Protection
To avert additional harm to Maria, the mother hesitated to let anyone, even the caseworker, into the child’s room. She believed evil spirits could stick to anyone, and permitting them into the room would aggravate Maria’s condition. This belief impacted her decision to lock the room and restrict access.
Chronemics in Business Conduct: How Time Perception Shapes Punctuality and Communication Speed (Video Analysis)
The scene from “Anna & the King,” chronemics, which studies how time is used and perceived in different cultures, can be observed in how business is conducted. The Prime Minister of Siam asks Mrs. Leonowens personal questions before discussing business matters. This mirrors the cultural value of establishing a personal connection and comprehending the individual before engaging in formal discussions.
Chronemics is the study of how individuals and cultures perceive and use time. It comprises comprehending formal and informal time systems and different strategies for scheduling and managing time (Miller, 2020).
In the context of business, the video provided underscores the distinctions between monochronic and polychronic time orientations:
Monochronic Time
Monochronic time systems involve doing things one at a time and segmenting time into precise, small units. The United States is cited as an example of a monochronic society. This culture considers time a valuable resource that should be used wisely (Olivetta, 2021). Schedules and punctuality are highly emphasized, and being on time is considered respectful and professional. Monochronic cultures focus on completing tasks efficiently and sticking to predetermined schedules.
Polychronic Time
Polychronic time systems, on the other hand, allow several tasks to be done simultaneously and take a more fluid approach to scheduling. Latin American, African, South Asian, and Arab cultures are mentioned as examples of polychronic cultures. These cultures prioritize relationships and may not adhere strictly to precise schedules (Olivetta, 2021). Being “late” for an event may be acceptable if it means spending time with family or friends. Polychronic cultures emphasize the flexibility of time and focus on the present moment rather than strict adherence to schedules.
In the given scene, the Prime Minister’s insistence on asking personal questions before discussing business matters aligns with the polychronic time orientation, where building relationships and understanding individuals is prioritized. On the other hand, Mrs. Leonowens, representing a monochronic culture, expresses her concern about sticking to the agreed-upon plans and schedules. Overall, the scene illustrates the clash between monochronic and polychronic time orientations, underscoring the cultural discrepancies in how time is perceived and valued in business interactions.
References
Miller, C. (2020). Types of Nonverbal Communication. Exploring Communication in the Real World.
Olivetta, E. (2021). From Culture to Leadership. Leaders for Tomorrow: Challenges for Military Leadership in the Age of Asymmetric Warfare, 37-60.
Truong, L. K., Mosewich, A. D., Holt, C. J., Le, C. Y., Miciak, M., & Whittaker, J. L. (2020). Psychological, social and contextual factors across recovery stages following a sport-related knee injury: a scoping review. British Journal of sports medicine, 54(19), 1149-1156.
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