Exercise 6

Part 3: Cambodia Customs and Values

Objective: To understand some similarities between Emirate and Cambodian Culture

Task: Compare Cambodian and Emirate values

Highlight in yellow all the values that are similar to Emirate values

A.   Traditional Cambodian values include a strong family identity and loyalty

B.   Cambodian-born people have a respect for culture and older people.

C.   Cambodian families tend to be very private and reluctant to discuss family issues or conflict with non-family members

D.   Stoicism is a highly valued Cambodian character trait, reducing the tendency to complain about their health or services they are receiving

E.   Modesty, particularly for women, is very important

F.    Visitors to Cambodian-born people’s homes are often expected to remove their shoes, however they might not ask

G.   Accepting of food and refreshments when offered may break down barriers, open communication and build trust

H.   Cambodian-born people regard touching people on the head or pointing feet or shoes at them as offensive.

I.      Cambodians consider it impolite to make eye contact with someone who is older or considered a superior

J.    Cambodians have a tendency not to question instructions or authority

K.   ‘Yes’ may be an ambiguous response to a question or request, and does not necessarily indicate agreement. Reponses that might mean ‘no’ include; no response, changing the subject, or statements such as ‘it’s OK’ or ‘no problem’ or even an unconvincing ‘yes’

L.    It may take time to develop working relationships, trust and rapport

M.   Loud or over-familiar behaviour towards others is generally not favoured.

N.   Cambodians tend to avoid showing anger or getting involved in confrontation

O.   Cambodians prefer to be addressed using their correct title. For example Mr, Mrs and Dr

P.   Women traditionally retain their own family names on marriage or they may have two surnames. Cambodian names are traditionally written with the surname first, followed by the given name.

Q.   Cambodians may not recognise their names if they are pronounced incorrectly

R.   Cambodians may not always address people by their name

Migrant Information Center (Melbourne, Australia)  www.miceastmelb.com.au

Comparison between Emirates – Cambodian Cultures

Cambodians share the same life style with emirates they share the same emotions and respecting they wouldn’t let their families lose they respect their family identity and loyalty and they respect their elders and they wouldn’t abuse people there nature is respectful and whatever happens they have agreements they wouldn’t engage in fighting straight away. Their identity is important for them  so does the emirates they wouldn’t throw away their dignity and keeping their families happy and wealthy is a main priority with them and so on. And they are clean people for example shoes won’t be allowed to be worn inside the house and dirtiness isn’t executable with them and so does the emirates basically there is a huge similarities.

Their differences isn’t much because there’s a 75% similarity so I would talk about how the women take the title name of the family emirates don’t do that they men take the family title name not the women And when there in pain or problem they wouldn’t show emotions.