Do you remember the Youtube clip that we watched last week of President Obama? If you want to watch it again, here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Aung brought up the very interesting story of when Obama kissed Aung San Suu Kyi, and how scandalized many Burmese people were by this action. If you want to see the kiss, it is here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWeXECPnb9o
This picture shows some of the awkwardness of the moment:
Why do you think Obama kissed her? Was it just out of habit? Was he being culturally insensitive? Did he do it on purpose? Why did it make some people so angry? What does this story tell us about both cultures? Post a comment if you have an opinion!
I agree. It's very interesting cultural contribution...
ReplyDeleteI think that Obama wanted to show how close U.S. and Berma are even though he completely understood kissing and hagging are not unusual way to communicate in Berma. Satoko
ReplyDeleteIt is really nice...
ReplyDeleteAnd it is how we could learn some more about culture!!....
My opinion is very simple, that is just only a heartily expression between the friends. Before this Mr.Obama's trip to Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi had already visited to USA, and already met each other, made friendship very closely with him and Ms.Hilary Clinton.
ReplyDeleteAs a Burmese, I can understand why Burmese people responded like that.
We the Burmese people were a closed society under the military dictatorship for over 50 years.
Just a few of Burmese people well experienced abroad can understand this case, and pleased for that. And Aung San Suu Kyi too.
Maybe a cultural shock it is.
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ReplyDeletei guess, it is too hard to comunicate with people who came from different culture,so all of us should have a open mind to undestend the situiation which was normal for one of them.
ReplyDeleteThat's intersting to see how he treat everyone in different way.
ReplyDeleteThis picture demonstrate to us obviouse diference between two different country!Becouse in US this appropriate styil of communication between mans and women very usual, but in many athers country it's uncommon according religion or traditional communication between different sex people.But! If Obama were kiss me,I woudn't be against or contribute!:))
ReplyDeletestyle, sorry
ReplyDeleteknow more about different kinds of culture,get less culture shock.
ReplyDeleteI think Obama know about cultural specials at this country, and he did it on prupose. Why he did it - I don`t know exactly, it depends on political situation between USA and Burma, and interests of USA in this region.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion mr Obama just was greeting her as Americans greet in America, so maybe that was a misunderstanding by him but we never know what people are going to think or differents cultures that people have. so from my point of view everybody can make a mistake. so i dont jusge mr President.
ReplyDeleteI was watching this video about Obama kissing this lady Aung San but i didn't see any kiss. If this really happened, in my opinion i think there is nothing bad with that, because we do that in America to say !!Hi to girl or to say Bye, is part of our culture and i think that looks nice and polite. The President Obama just tried to be polite with her. However, i think some people from other countries saw this action of President Obama as disrespectful, it was kind of culture shock for them because they don't do that in their countries, they have differents ways to say !!Hi to a person who they meet for the first time.
ReplyDeleteIm glad to be part of this Blog i hope everybody share his opinios here, it will be great to hear from all of you in this Blog. :D
In my opinion this kiss wasn't in purpose.This story tells us about different political cultures in USA and Burmese.However, this kiss has started big political scandal in Burmese culture.
ReplyDeleteI think President Obama usually kiss women he meet and she isn't an exception so with this, he shows america culture. It's nice.
ReplyDeleteI think He was trying to be a gentlemen, and also I think He was trying to be nice ,and respectable as a President, I don't think He did that purposely, I think it was misunderstanding culture.
ReplyDeleteThis story tells me to learn more about other people culture.
I think, Obama kissed Aung San because they've known each other very well. It means that a kiss and a hug is normal for them even though in her country isn't usual to kiss a woman. I think Obama did this on porpus to show people their friendship. However, some people think that it was disrespecful because each country has different cultural.
ReplyDeleteWell... I think it's not really a big deal but Mr Obama supposed to make the difference between his own culture and Aung's culture. It's very important when you act in public, you have to be very careful because there are many people who follow you. I mean this is the world who whatches us. Finally, the most important thing when you huge or kiss somebody, you have to know his culture especially in public. However, it's ok with me because in my culture it's accepted. That what I could say...
ReplyDelete