Question

Mrs. Mordeno came to Honolulu to visit her son, Jose, who operated an art gallery. He married to one of his clients, Beth, who paints in her own studio near his gallery. Mrs. Mordeno’s trip was the first out of the Philippines for her and she wanted to see all the scenic spots in the islands. Jose and Beth were expected to accompany her at the expense of their own work schedules. Mrs. Mordeno planned to stay only a week but enjoyed herself so much that she decided to stay another month. She wanted to invite her sister and her sister’s children to stay with her. Jose’s apartment was small and did not have enough room for all of them and Jose was expected to pay the travel expenses for all. He tried to explain the situation to his mother. She seemed to accept his tactfully presented arguments and appeared to be satisfied for a few days. Then one day she packed up and returned home.

Question: What do you think Mrs. Mordeno's expectations were as a product of collectivist world view? Why? (how did cultural world view factor into her expectations?)

Answer 1

The Hofstede center's score for Philippines in individuality is 32, which means Philippines has a collectivist culture. For the people of Philippines it is their extended family ties that matters them most. Mrs. Moredeno being a Filipino valued here family ties more, expected her son to carry out his duties towards his extended family. For her loyalty to her extended family is more important than her joys and happiness. When her son failed to fulfill her expectations, she initially would have been convinced by his arguments, but her adhrence to cultural values and norms would have led to have dissatisfaction with her son in failing to fulfill her expectations, and this would have made her to return to home, to her extended family.