Page 215 - Handbooks of Applied Linguistics Communication Competence Language and Communication Problems Practical Solutions

Ritual and style across cultures 193

Reciprocal enrichment
Germans often express mild amazement at the Georgians’ rhetorical prowess
and gifts for social observation that they reveal in their toasts. Georgians, on the
other hand, enjoy the informality of Western parties and the relative modesty of
the hosts.

Partial lack of understanding
When invited to gatherings with Georgian families, Germans often find dis-
pleasure in the formalized drinking, in the way that toasts interrupt what, for
them, would be the normal flow of conversation, and in the repetition of a small
range of themes in the toasts. Georgians object that, in Germany, they are given
too little opportunity to honor appropriately the other guests and their families.

Adaptation to the styles of the others
Visitors from the West must learn to formulate toasts in Georgia, Russia, Ka-
zakhstan, Ukraine, etc., while Georgians, Russians and Kazakhs, etc. in Western
countries must learn to be flexible in their use of the genre and to find pleasure in
practicing informal small talk.

Instances of rejection
Visitors, especially from the West, often object to the long toasts of the Geor-
gians and the accompanying high consumption of alcohol.

Instances of confirming stereotypes
These differing social practices are often cited when Georgians characterize
Germans as too sober and dry, or when Germans complain that Georgians are
too ceremonious, fussy and long-winded.

Flexible “we” and “you” constructions
Mixed German-Georgian groups in Germany or in Georgia construct situations
with guests in a relatively Western, informal style, or in a style that is more
“Georgian” and formal, whereby it must be noted that neither the Germans nor
the Georgians fully change their style and adopt that of the other group. When
Georgians living in Germany invite other Georgians as guests, normally all par-
ticipants confirm their shared Georgian identity with toasts. They practice
“doing being Georgian” (see Spreckels and Kotthoff in this volume). Likewise,
Germans meeting only other Germans in Georgia offer no toasts in unmarked
situations. However, arising intercultures such as mixed networks also form a
“we” from the conglomeration of styles they comprise.