Intercultural Competence: A Comparative Analysis of Bangladeshi and Romanian Cultures

This assignment explores the concept of intercultural competence and its importance in today's globalized world. It focuses on comparing and contrasting the cultural autobiographies of Bangladeshi and Romanian cultures using cultural frameworks like the onion model and Kluckholn & Strodtbech's dimensions. The analysis reveals similarities and differences in rituals, heroes, symbols, values, and more. The assignment provides valuable insights into understanding and interacting with individuals from different cultural backgrounds.

Intercultural competence

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY.............................................................................................................................3
Comparing and contrasting the two cultural autobiographies with the help of cultural
framework..............................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................10
Appendix..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Intercultural competence is a variety of affective, behavioural and cognitive skills that
lead to appropriate and efficient communication & interaction with individual of other
cultures. It is the capability of function efficiently across cultures, to act and think
appropriately and to interact and perform with people from varied cultural background at
abroad or home. There are some elements included in this act such as self & other
knowledge, motivation and tolerance for uncertainty. IC is valuable and useful assets in an
increasingly internalized world where individuals are more likely to interact with person from
different nations and cultures as well who have been shaped by varied beliefs, values and
experiences. The current assignment will base on 2 different cultural autobiographies; it will
explain similarities and differences between two different cultures that are Bangladeshi and
Romanian by using right cultural frameworks.
MAIN BODY
Comparing and contrasting the two cultural autobiographies with the help of cultural
framework
In the whole world each person belongs to different nations and act according to their
culture. They do work in which people have faith, which is according to its culture. The
world has 195 nations and thousands of cultures. All the cultures are different from each
other and people who live within it can act accordingly (Antonsich, Mavroudi and Mihelj,
2017).
There are variety of ways through which the concept of culture can be visualized.
Here, the onion model of culture is being used which depicts how there are different layers of
culture just like the onion. There are various forms of interpretation of this model but the
most simplest and the easiest form consists of the key four layers. This model was proposed
by Geert Hofstede who sated that or claimed that the cultural differences can eb manifested in
multiple ways and based on which he identified 4 manifestation in regard to the culture which
is used for easily describe and the analyse the culture. Thus, along with Geert Hofstede, other
interculturalists have also proposed and used ‘onion’ as the metaphor for the purpose of
describing the cultural phenomenon. A detailed analysis is given below.

Figure 1Onion Diagram of organizational culture
(Source: Onion Diagram of organizational culture by Geert Hofstede, 2020)
Rituals
Rituals refers to the collective activities. It is basically not required for the purpose of
achieving the desired goals but is actually considered as the essential element and take as
very necessary for the members of the culture (Kharkongor, Chatterjee and Chakrabarti,
2019).Because of this reason, it is being performed for their own sake and satisfy themselves.
It involves the ways of greeting one another, paying regards to each other, various ways of
organizing social and religious events and so forth. It is a complete set of things which is
being done in culture in contrast to another culture like presenting business card, inviting
people, interacting with the people who are invited. Based on the two autobiographies, it can
be stated that both the autobiographies are having some similarities and dissimilarities. On
account of similarities, both have great respect for their culture. Proper tradition is being
followedlike in Romania, Christmas and Easter is being celebrated along with other evets like
name days which involves cooking traditional food items, sweets, cakes and having parties.
In the other culture as well, which is a Muslim culture, it is essential for attending the mosque
each day in order to gain more knowledge about the religion. Even after, the end of the month
of Ramadan, Muslims fast all across the globe and celebrates their festivities.

On the part of dissimilarities, in Romania culture education is considered as an
important part of their lives while in the Bangladeshi culture, the education is not considered
very essential for life and more preference is being given to the religion and the traditions.
There is also the difference of language as in Bangladeshi culture, cholit basha or the sadhu
basha is being used while in Romanian culture, the native language Balkan Romance is being
used by the people. In Bangladeshi culture, women are not allowed to work and is mainly
involved in taking care of the children and the household in contrast to it in Romanian
culture, women are allowed to work and make their life along with managing the household
stuff.
Heroes-
Second layer of above chosen framework is Heroes, it can be said that a hero can be
fiction person, dead or alive, imaginary or real, who posses traits which are significantly
prized in a culture and who thus serve as role model for behaviour and have an affects on
culture (Asher and Popper, 2019). Person belongs to influencing characteristics can defiantly
behave and act without showing any unethical behaviour. In context of similarities between
Bangladeshi and Romanian cultures, people play their role as heroes. They help other person
who is not familiar with new environment and atmosphere in Romania. The women in
Romania are playing role as role model, they provide all the facilities to family members and
their children’s. In this nation people respect and care for others and quality of life. They live
together and respect each other as well as have quality in their working lives. Furthermore,
the Bangladesh, Bangladeshi culture is same as above culture. Here, people expected to be
assertive, emphasis on performance, quality of life and conflicts are resolved by taking
appropriate actions.
On the other hand, it can be said that there are some differences can be determine
between Romanian and Bangladeshi culture. For example, in Romania people usually willing
to help and have friendly nature, they make influence a strong identity of their city. On the
other hand, in Bangladesh individual take time to make friend and help to each other.
Symbols-
This is the third element of cultural onion use as culture framework. It can represent
cultural symbols such as picture, words in a language, cultural artefacts, objects or
monuments or symbols such as traditional clothing, flags, architecture or food or hairstyles.
The similarities between both cultures are that they present cultural symbols such as cultural

monuments. Jaggadala Vihara, Lalbagh fort, and Lalmai-Mainamati group of monuments
show Bangladeshi culture (Mondal and Haque, 2018). In Romania, Romanian Atheneum,
Constanta Casino etc, are examples of cultural monuments or symbol of nation.
On the part of differences, in Bangladeshi culture traditional clothing is considered as
essential part of human life. Men’s in this nation wear Lungi and women wear Sari & Salwar
Kameez. While in Romania, men wear business suits, casual clothes and traditional costumes
as celebrations. and female wear a while blouse longer than men. According to Bangladeshi
culture, people like to eat fish every day and use to make curries. On the other side, accordant
to Romanian culture individual like to eat Sarmale, mici, Cozonac, Pomana Porcului and
other food items, this is totally different from Bangladeshi culture.
Values-
Core of a culture is developed by values. These are ideas that show what in life is
considered necessary, and values are among main things children learn. Because values are
understand and learned so early in individual’s lives, they are often unaware of their values.
Discussing or describing people can be complex, and outsiders cannot direct see them. In
Bangladesh and Romania, individuals appreciate long term relationship based on respect,
loyalty and trust; this is the base of similarities between both cultures. Instead of similarities,
differences between above two culture is that in Romanian culture religion plays vital role in
life of Romanian people, they learn to appreciate early in their childhood. People are
independent in this nation and take their decision without taking suggestions from their
seniors (Motta, 2019). On the other hand, people in Bangladesh respected because of their
position and age, to make decisions they take advice from older person in family members
and expect most senior position or make to make judgements that are in the best interest of
unit.
Kluckholn and Strodtbech’s dimensions of culture-
Value orientation theory of Kluckhohn & strodtech’s proposes that all human
societies must answer a limited number of worldwide issues, that value based suggestions or
approaches are limited in number and globally known, but that different cultures have varied
preferences among them. Fred Strodtech and Florence Kluckhohn set out to operationalise a
theoretical method to values concept.
Nature of people-

The nature of individual in each culture is quite different from each other, what do
they assume about beliefs and common nature about other people. In specific, others may be
recognized to be bad, good or have some combination. According to Romanian and
Bangladeshi culture, individual respect beliefs of other people they respect each and every
culture and treat everyone equally. On part of dissimilarities, in Bangladesh women are
considered less essential as compare to men (Seymour and Peterman, 2018). They are
accountable to look after family members and children’s. On the other hand, In Romania
women’s gets respect just like male, they work in this nation.
Relationship with nature-
Some individual believe that they should live in harmony with nature, supporting and
preserving it. Others see nature as their supplier and servant, it view permit them to plunder it
without concern. In other sections of life this translated into utilize of all resources or types
and whether it is utilized up or sustained. In Bangladesh and Romania people have
relationship with nature (Balázsi and et.al., 2019). While, in Romania people are highly
connected to nature, they take several step towards environmental safety as compare to
Bangladesh and recycle each and everything that save world from land and other types of
pollution, which cannot be considered in Bangladeshi culture. Instead of saving nature, most
people do unethical practices and throw bottles and other things on road.
Duty towards others-
Should people act first to support others, what duty do they have towards other or can
individual just concentrate only on themselves? All these questions are included in this
element that defines culture of specific nation. In Romania and Bangladesh, each person act
first to help others who can belong to different nations or cultures. They all have same duty
towards others. But it can be said that in Bangladesh individual have limited freedom to take
decision. For example, women’s do not have freedom to work outside at home. Instead of this
behaviour, in Romania women have freedom to do job and they also take care of family
members.
Model of activity-
In some societies, there is a concentrate on being, where who people are is more
essential than what they do. Other societies are very action oriented and status come from
what has been reached more than an ascribed status. In Romania and Bangladesh, people

respect others culture, But in Romania, societies are very action oriented, they consider
individual base on their statues. While in Bangladesh, people focus on person background
and want to know more about them including family background, members, relationship
status etc. They seek to know each and every thing about other instead of knowing what they
do and why they are here.
Privacy of space-
Space is one approach owned by person and privacy is essential in life. Meeting are
held behind shut doors and are by invitation only. Alternative is open partnership, where
individual can go where they want and meeting are open to all who need to attend. It can be
said that according to Romanian culture, youngster from older people they all have freedom
and own privacy no one can interfere in other life. On the other side, in Bangladesh either
younger or elder they do not meet with their love ones openly, they feel shy in front of family
members.
Temporal orientation-
Some societies in many nations focus on past, traditionalism and ancestors, while
others are concentrated on hedonism of today, whilst still others plan successfully for further
growth. On part of similarities, according to Romanian and Bangladeshi culture, people think
towards achieve greater success in future by making plans. But it can be said that in context
of Bangladesh, individual is more focus on past and traditionalism and on the other hand,
people in Romania focus on hedonism of recent time, they only want to achieve their aims by
eliminating past memories.
CONCLUSION
From above analysis, it has been concluded that by using onion layer and Kluckholn
& Strodtbech’s cultural frameworks similarities and differences between Bangladeshi and
Romanian culture has been identified. Both models define nature and behaviour of people
who belongs to different cultures and ways they live life in two different nations.
Furthermore, it has been summarized that by using two biographies differences and
similarities has been defined. It has been analysed that individual lives in Bangladesh and
Romania are different from each other based on several things such as preferences, way of
living and beliefs.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Antonsich, M., Mavroudi, E. and Mihelj, S., 2017. Building inclusive nations in the age of
migration. Identities. 24(2). pp.156-176.
Asher, D. and Popper, M., 2019. Tacit knowledge as a multilayer phenomenon: the “onion”
model. The Learning Organization.
Balázsi, Á and et.al., 2019. The impacts of social-ecological system change on human-nature
connectedness: A case study from Transylvania, Romania. Land Use Policy. 89.
p.104232.
Kharkongor, W.B., Chatterjee, A. and Chakrabarti, D., 2019. Application of Existing Cultural
Frameworks in the Design of a Cultural Place: A Case Study of Meghalaya.
In Research into Design for a Connected World (pp. 793-805). Springer, Singapore.
Mondal, M. and Haque, S., 2018. Social, economic and environmental sustainability: The
Implications to develop sustainable tourism in Bangladesh.
Motta, G., 2019. Nationalism and anti-semitism in an independent Romania. Academic
journal of interdisciplinary studies. 8(2). p.14.
Seymour, G. and Peterman, A., 2018. Context and measurement: An analysis of the
relationship between intrahousehold decision making and autonomy. World
Development. 111. pp.97-112.
Online
Culture Beats Paycheck: What Is Company Culture? 2020. [Online]. Available
Through:<https://blog.impraise.com/360-feedback/culture-beats-paycheck-what-is-
company-culture-360-feedback>.
Kluckholn and Strodtbeck's Dimensions of Culture. 2020. [Online]. Available through: <
http://changingminds.org/explanations/culture/kluckhohn_strodtbeck_culture.htm>

Appendix
Bibliography 2-