American and Nepali Values

The topic is common in the field of academic courses. There are some values and assumptions that vary from one geography to another. We can contrast with the American values and assumptions with that of Nepali values. When we examine both values and assumptions we find they are at two inverse poles. This cultural gap or differences in two values lead to misunderstanding. This is a general truth that many young people of Nepal are flying to the USA. There they have to overcome many problems in communication that is largely happened due to change of culture. Each culture has its own values and assumptions and they are right or comfortable for themselves.

Many nepali people share their problems in communication there. My concern is that at first they have to understand the secondary culture well where they are living. To talk about American values and assumptions, primarily we have to know that they are guided by individualism. They are trained from very early in their lives to consider themselves as separate individuals who are responsible for their own situations in life and their own destinies. They are not trained to see themselves as members of an interdependent family, religious group, and tribe like here in Nepal. Individualism has both connotations, positive and negative. Whatever may be, individualism has produced other values like competition, privacy and progressive qualities in American society.

In Nepal, collectivism is found instead of individualism, cooperation instead of competition, openness in place of privacy. We should not expect the same culture from the Americans instead accept that their own culture is different. We have to embrace each other’s indifference in cultures in order to overcome problems regarding intercultural communication. I know its hard to adapt ourselves in the culture of others at beginning but understanding is an inevitable tool within two people belonging to different cultures.

American value believes that all men are created equal. Equality is another distinctive value of American culture. Hence we should not treat any of them with obvious deference. They also dislike being the subjects of open displays of respect. Things are quite inverse in Nepali culture on the grounds of equality.

American value is also built with materialism, time, achievement, action, work, directness and assertiveness. But we nepali have more inclination towards spiritualism and therefore we are more fatalistic. They don’t care about the past of person but rather care more about the present status. In Nepal things are vice versa. We go to the history of the person, his/her relatives and family background.

They express their feelings directly and they are frank as well as open to deal with others whereas in Nepal we talk more politely and formally. We also show due respect to our seniors counting age. But they maintain same level with their elder ones if they are in same rank in job positions. Hence I suggest all nepali people who’re planning to go USA to first understand these aforementioned American values so as to be familiar and overcome problems regarding intercultural communication and cope it well.