Margaux Tavernier 09/25/2012 Interpersonal Communication Dr.

Corinne Weisgerber

Fear and Trembling:

Fear and Trembling is a French movie. The story is about this grown up woman named Amelie who was born and spent almost all her childhood in Japan. Her Family was Belgians and did want to go back to Belgium. Amelie, always wanted to come back to work in Japan. She did have an opportunity in a very famous and prestigious Japanese company called Yonimoto and she accepted it. This movie is focusing on two very distinct cultures, which are the Japanese culture verses, the Belgian culture. In order to have a better understand, I will demonstrate the differences of this intercultural communication between the two nations. Amelie has lived in Japan since the day she is born (An Enculturation) then comes back to Europe. Even it was her parents origins because she lived in Japan until then, when she comes back to Europe she must have been to a process called an Acculturation in which you learn the rule and norms of a culture different from yours, which would have been the case when she returns to Europe. Amelie always knew that she wanted to come back to Japan to work, which she did. She has been accepted in such prestigious Japanese Company called Yonimoto. In this company we can notice that men are highly in power more than women. Mostly because according to the hofstedes ranking Japan is for the most part a Masculine society 1

first. Yonimoto have a highly strong importance on the respect of the hierarchy and as it shown in the movie Amelie have to show respect as well as full attention for her superiors. She always has to listen to them. (High Power Distance). They are also very group oriented when the boss comes to talk to them. They all stand. They should also not ask questions to the boss because they have to figures out things by themselves. The Japanese culture is more collective as the Belgium people. In Movie, the collectivism is shown by a competition with in the group or when they are sick they all wearing a mask on their faces. The Boss of the company has an entire responsibility for under miss. If they mess up for some reason, It looks bad. Whereas in Belgium, people are most individualistic. They are more independent from eachothers. It their entire responsibility to make sure their works is well done and correctly done. Fear & Trembling movie are showing a big concern on the masculine verses the feminine culture. In the movie we seeing that the people in the company Yonimoto are mainly males. We also notice that Fubuki and Amelie are the only females of the company. Yonimoto is based on a masculine culture that has an emphasis on assertiveness, ambition and competition. We also notice, Amelie have to do all the jobs that she wasnt hired for at the first place. She serves coffee, she was taking care of the mail, and she cleaned the bathroom. All of this makes me think that the Japanese culture hasnt grown in terms of being more open -minded. For them, it seems that they keep in mind that women should be at a home and not at work. Also when a women has a high power of responsibility with in the company, none emotions must have shown. Indeed when Fubuski went crying she

did it in the bathroom so nobody can see her. Fubuski wants to preserve her honor and dignity. Unfortunately Amelie surprised her but Fubuski still refused to guilt her crying. Crying in front of public is one of the worst humiliations in Japan. Also the Japan culture doesnt believe in help. This is why you can notice such a lack of emotions. It is like they arent really human but kind of like robots that always obey to their superiors orders. When you have a huge power in the Yonimoto Company, you must be the best at everything and be strong in every ways. Do not show any inferiority. In Japan, when you are a foreign person but do know the language of the country it is rude to speak it. In the movie, Fubuski has yelled Ameilie because she talked in Japanese while serving the coffee at a meeting. It is also well known that Japan is a Freak Out country and have high uncertainty avoidance. One of the highest on the planet. According to the Hofstedes Ranking Website, It is mainly due because of the amount of natural disasters that Japan has to deal with. Such as earthquakes or tsunami, the Japanese society is so well prepared in every uncertain condition and situation. It goes as well for every aspects of society. In the movie Fear and Trembling, the company of Yonimoto dont like to confront with conflicts, they even avoiding them. Japan also has a long-term orientation. They always have to be the best in everything in life. Whether it is for personal matters or not. I think this apply mainly in the workplace because it where the competition is the highest. Japanese people dont like failure. They like to pass on down from one generation to another their companies they own. In the movie it shown on how everything must be perfect.

None mistakes are accepting. We can for example, how many times Amelie have to re do the letter for accepting the golf invitation. How many times she spent hours and hours at the printer because Mr Saito wasnt ever satisfied. In the Western countries it is a complete different approach. We are well know for being more individualist Belgium has a High and low power distance they do deal with lots of inequalities but where the hierarchy isnt something as much important as it could be in Japan. Superior are often less accessible. They have a huge power in Belgium, probably the reason why Japan is so attractive by it and develop lots of relationship between companies. Japan loves the power. Belgium is mostly individualists like any other western countries. They do like their independency and take care of themselves and families rather than belonging to a group of others. When it comes to work Belgian people are focusing on their tasks all by themselves. They love to have autonomy rather than depending on a superiors order. That is why in the movie, Amelie decided on her own to take care of changing each and every calendar of the people in the company and updates it to it exact date or month. Belgians can express their opinion but via a power holders. It is still in fact necessary that Belgium just like in France own a contradiction in which it says that no matters how individualist a country or nation can be, A hierarchy is still necessary and significant. Unfortunately the fact that Belgium have such a high power distance as well as high individuality ends up with some tensions and stress. That for the most part it is very difficult to manage.

Belgium as for the gender Masculinity/Femininity has few differences considering the fact that the northern part of the country is Flemish who are more focus on male and the southern part that is French who still have a strong male dominance but also are letting females having more powers. Conclusion, It is creating difficulties between the two. The north wants to keep his native culture whereas the south is more open to changes as the society and spirits of its people. They want to make it as a Universal Values. Belgium have a high Uncertainty avoidance because of this two distinct part of the Flemish side and French side it is hard to find a solution when it comes to establish rules with in the country. For example, the constitution. Belgium also has a short-term oriented society. Traditions, Norms and absolute truth is very well respected. When it comes to work place and business Belgians love to have quick results. Their management is based on self-reliance, hard work. They are judged pretty quickly.

Work Cited: Geert Hofstede : Belguim http://geert-hofstede.com/belgium.html Hofstedes Ranking: Japan http://geert-hofstede.com/japan.html Japanese Study on Blackboard Website. Wikipedia Website: Stupeur et Tremblement http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stupeur_et_Tremblements