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Understanding Alphan Culture: Social Dynamics and Communication Guidelines

This simulation, prepared by Jennifer Robertson of Valencia College in 2014, provides an in-depth exploration of Alphan culture, emphasizing the importance of group membership and relationships. Leaders are highly respected, and greetings, including the unique left-arm shake, are critical in social interactions. Gender dynamics favor men in certain communication contexts. Small talk often includes personal touches and discussions about family. Additionally, trading "clips," the local currency, is a favored activity. This guide outlines essential social norms and expectations for interacting within this distinct cultural framework.

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Understanding Alphan Culture: Social Dynamics and Communication Guidelines

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  1. TheAlpha Culture Thissimulation has beenmodifiedfromthe original version. Prepared by: Jennifer Robertson, Valencia College, 2014

  2. Overview Choose a leader towearthebluewristband. Leaders and people in high positions are highlyregarded in yourculture. Youputgreatemphasisongroupmembership. Thebenefit of thegrouptakesprecedentoverthebenefit of anyone individual. Relationships are extremelyimportant. Itisimperativethatyou do notsayor do somethingthatwouldmakeanotherAlphanfeelbador lose face. Thereissomegenderbias in your culture. Menhave more flexibilitythanwomenwhenit comes tocommunicatingorgettingthings done withtheexception of the leader ifsheisfemale.

  3. Greetings AlwaysgreetotherAlphansusingtheAlphangreeting – bothpeoplegrabtheleftarmjustbelowtheelbow (forearm) toshake. Duringthearmshake, say “Howisyourfamily?”. NEVER greet a non-Alphan (a visitor) withtheleftarm. Always use therightarm and do notshakeit. Ifsomeoneshakesyourleftarm, itmeansthatthey are angrywithyou. Women can onlyinitiate a greetingwithanotherwoman, butmen can initiategreetingswithbothgenders. Itis a biginsultto break this rule.

  4. Small Talk Stand veryclosetoeachother and use a lot of bodylanguagewhentalking. Touchtheperson’selboworshoulder. IfanAlphandoesnot do this, itmeansthattheydon’tlikeyou. Alphansvalue personal contact and intimacywitheveryone. Youlove and honor seniorAlphans. Whenyouare in a group, youlovetotalkaboutyourfamily. Youalwaysallowaseniorpersonto lead theconversation. Ifyouare in a conversation and a new personentersthegroup, he orshemust stand there and waitto be invitedintothegroupbyanAlphan. You are veryfriendlytothosewhofollowyour rules.

  5. Trading Youlovetocollect and trade“clips” whichisyourform of currency. Aftermakingsmalltalk, requesttotrade “clips.” Youwanttogetas many “clips” as possible. Youtrade “clips” bysimplyaskinganotherAlphantotrade. AlphanswillalwaystradewithanotherAlphaniftheyhavewhatsomeonewants. Alphanslovetoadornthemselveswith “clips” and theylovetotalkabouthowmany “clips” theyhave. Alphansonlytrade “clips” withvisitorsif he orshegreetsthemproperly. Otherwise, theAlphanwill ignore thevisitor and walkaway. Ba Fá, Ba in theAlphanlanguagemeans “yourfather has no goats.” Thisis a hugeinsult. Alphanswillnotspeaktoanyonewhosaysthistothem.

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