Cultural Diversity: Learning and Growing Through Interaction and Culture Shock - Essay Sample

Introduction

Cultural diversity is a strange thing that surrounds us, and it forms a large part of what we think, that we are, and it is so ingrained such that most individuals even do not recognize its presence (Martin & Thomas 3). It represents the integrated pattern of behavior, belief, and human understanding, which is transmitted to succeeding generations. Culture is learned through interactions, and it is affected by culture shock, which is a transitional period that is stressful when people move to a different cultural environment, which is unfamiliar (Chung 1288). In different cultures, verbal communication is interpreted differently due to meanings and beliefs derived from a talk. People hold biases against out-groups due to cultural differences, perception differences, and inter-group filters that are biased. The paper discusses cultural experience at Little Armenia situated in Los Angeles by describing the place, then insightful description as to how little Armenia represents the primary culture, and lastly the applying the experience got to interactions in future with Little Armenia culture.

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Little Armenia is a small but growing birthplace to the Armenia community in Los Angeles. The name Little Armenia was adopted in the year 2000, and it aims to reflect the large population of Armenia and to showcase highly growing businesses belonging to Armenia in the city of Los Angeles (Daughrity, Dyron, & Nicholas 233). All the activities in Little Armenia reflect Armenian culture and way of living, starting from the Churches, Restaurants, mechanics, and doctors (Daughrity, Dyron, & Nicholas 238). There is a presence of cultural diversity in Little Armenia due to the presence of other ethnic groups like the Thai community where the Thai Community owns most Thai Cuisine and restaurants, and at the same time in their markets, they sale exotic products (Daughrity, Dyron, & Nicholas 241). Also, in the same Little Armenia, Latino Community is there, and in their restaurants, they sell great tasting Central American and Mexican food; apart from that, they host the Salsa night club where dancing takes place.

Going to Little Armenia was an excellent opportunity to understand the culture of a very diverse ethnic community. The visit was excellent with Armenian drink tasting. The fun started at exploring St. Mary`s Armenia Church, which represents the first churches in Armenia at the heart of the Glendale area. The church is so beautiful, and the interior design is gorgeous as it is culturally enriched. Then at the Kabob Land, there exists delicious Armenian food cooked in Armenian style. Some best foods I tried are Kebabs, which were delicious together with their rice that leaves you admiring it, and youth mouth will be left watering for days. The cakes that mainly came from Maksen Cake House were made in their unique style enriched with the best flavor, which is so different.

Despite their origin, the Armenian community in Los Angeles was forced to connect their cultural identities in most appropriate new ways. They had to practice intercultural empathy, practiced variation usage in their language, and had to master the rule function of language pragmatic to cope with the new environment. Many scholars, Armenia American living in Los Angeles, and Policy experts are trying to identify various global issues that shape the Little Armenia community`s identity.

The culture at Little Armenia is a mixture of colors, flavors, and influences from outside. Through my exploration at Little Armenia, their architecture, performing and applied arts, and their literature. The culture at Little Armenia represents the aspirations, lifestyle, history, and beauty at Little Armenia. They believe in Christianity as they have the oldest church. They possess a unique alphabet that promotes their literature, making it special. Little Armenia people specialize in jewelry making, pottery, lacemaking, and carpet weaving as the identity of their culture. Musicians who perform in events there have vibrant sounding and particular melodic patterns due use of instruments designed in Armenian style.

The location represents the primary culture to cultural diversity at the area as more than three ethnic communities exist there, more significant being the Armenians, Latinos, and Thai ethnics; the event at Little Armenia is attended by several Armenians who are entertained by Armenian folk Musicians. However, free samples of Unfiltered Armenian coffee are poured by Baristas. The families and schools at Little Armenia ingrain their culture in many young Armenians who will pass their identity to the next generations.

The interactions will help apply the knowledge learned about the culture at Little Armenia in interacting with the communities at that place in the future without more significant challenges. The knowledge concerning culture acquired there increased my cultural competences as I became aware of another world of view. It assisted in developing positive attitudes towards the difference that exists between my own culture and culture at Little Armenia.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the culture of the Armenian community is diverse due to changes that happened in between during interactions with new cultures at Los Angeles and the influence of the other ethnic communities in Little Armenia who are Latino and Thai communities. When many Armenian people are asked to say about Armenian identity, their answers are different. Ranging from architecture, music, and arts, the culture at Little Armenia is so special and unique.

Works Cited

Chung, Leeva C. "TingToomey, Stella." The Encyclopedia of CrossCultural Psychology 3 (2013): 1288-1289. DOI/abs/10.1002/9781118339893.wbeccp543

Daughrity, Dyron, and Nicholas Cumming. "Finger on the Pulse: Armenian Identity and Religiosity in Southern California." Armenian Christianity Today: Identity Politics and Popular Practice (2014): 233-252.

Martin, Judith N., and Thomas K. Nakayama. Intercultural communication in contexts. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2013.