2025 Boris's Blog

 Asking for a favor is universal, yet Hofstede’s cultural dimensions show how deeply our societies shape this simple act. In Japan, indirectness dominates. People hint at needs, expecting others to “read the air”, reflecting Japan’s low Individualism (IDV) and high Collectivism. A direct “no” is avoided to preserve harmony and face (tatemae vs. honne). Favors also create lasting social debts ( giri ), emphasizing obligation. Western cultures, especially in Northern Europe and North America, score high on Individualism. Requests are made clearly, and a direct “no” is acceptable. Reciprocity exists, but is more informal; there’s less weight on long-term social obligation. Bulgaria sits interestingly between these worlds. According to Hofstede, Bulgaria is moderately collectivist with relatively high Uncertainty Avoidance (UAI). Bulgarians often rely on close-knit networks of family and friends for favors, reflecting collectivist trust, yet they communicate more directly than the Ja...

During our class discussion, one of the survey questions asked: “Did you ever sleep in the same bed as your parents? Until what age?” This made me reflect on how, since a young age, I was raised to be independent. I believe this is something I would like to pass on to my own children.  In many Western cultures, parenting tends to emphasise individualism, self-confidence, and clear personal boundaries. Children often sleep separately from their parents early on, which is seen as a step toward building autonomy. This contrasts with Japanese parenting, where co-sleeping is common well into elementary school. It highlights a cultural focus on interdependence and the concept of “amae,” nurturing deep family bonds.  Using Hofstede’s model, these differences also relate to the dimension of Indulgence vs. Restraint. Western societies, being more indulgent, encourage expressing desires and enjoying life, which aligns with fostering personal independence. In contrast, Japan’s more restr...