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Tyra Waterton

9/15/17

Impression Management Across Cultures


CATEGORY QUESTIONS ANSWERS

Name Tammy Denise Soto

CULTURE Geographic origin Guatemala

languages spoken Spanish and English

Why did they choose to leave their There are better opportunities in
own world for America? America. Here the wages are higher
and the education is better.
PERCEPTION What was their perception of America is a rich and lavish places
America before they left their own where everyone lives wealthily.
world?
How was that perception formed? Movies and other American media.

Once they arrived Did that It was harder (especially for


perception change? someone who was not from here).
Not everything was exactly fair and
easy.
VALUES What did they have to do to fit in? Learning English was the biggest
step. Then learning the slang and
cultural norms.
How do they determine what are the By experiencing how each person
ordinary American ways so they can interacts. Interaction was either hit-
copy it? or-miss for someone so young.
How does it make them feel when Accepted and proud at school. At
they act as if or give the work it is nice to be an asset by
impression that they are American in speaking both and helping people
various situations of life - when they that are like she was. At home and
are at home, at school, at work and at play she usually does not feel
at play? she is giving an impression at all.
What values do they have that they
would never give up even if they live
in America?
My interviewee was Tammy Soto, she came here from Guatemala when she was 5 years old.
When Tammy first started school in America she did not speak English at all. It was extremely
difficult to adjust to this new chapter of her life because was expected to learn things like reading
without fully understanding the language. However, while school was challenging it gave her an
edge, tammy was quicker than her parents at picking up on American culture (slang and idioms).
A few months after being here, she even met my sister and I. Now Tammy feels like a Latina-
American rather than a Latina in America.
To me the interview was very insightful because I have known Tammy for almost fourteen years,
I have never paid much attention to the fact that she did not speak English when we met. Hearing
her thoughts on learning in English was humbling for someone who has never had many
problems communicating. It was important to me to re-word the questions because it sounded
strange to tell my friend she was playing as if. Though she is not easily offended, I was
mindful of the fact that she identifies with both cultures. However, I could imagine how hard it
would be for someone who came in their teen years to adjust. This intensifies my absolute
outrage for people protected by DACA, or for people who have to tolerate being told America
should build a wall.
In conclusion, Americas perception of immigrants as people who drain well-fare and/or steal
jobs is offensive and disrespectful. Most immigrants come to America seeking refuge or
opportunity, the same opportunities that are made unavailable by prejudice and stereotyping.
This is an account of how hard it is to adjust even at an impressionable age where learning is said
to be easier. Negative attitudes towards these hard-working individuals should not be tolerated
from our citizens or our government. Rather than changing my perspective, it solidified my
perception of America as an African American female. It gives the feeling that people of color
(blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, etc.) will always have to work twice as hard to get half as
far.

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