1. Intercultural Relationships:
The Social Science Approach
Differences in Notions of Friendship
 What are the characteristics of a friend?
 How do ideas of friendship vary across cultures?
Those two questions will be answered differently in every culture.
“Friendships are seen in many different ways across the world. For
example, in most Western cultures, these relationships are seen as
mostly voluntary and spontaneous, in contrast to family or work
relationships” (Martin & Nakayama, 2010). Glenda Cecil

2.  Cultural differences in notions about friendships are related to
ideas about identity and values, and every culture’s value system
is different.
 In western societies that value individualism and
interdependence, they view friendships as voluntary. On the other
hand, people in China who view the self always in relation to
others, collectivists, believe that friendship is long-term, and
involves obligations.
 “Friendship in China offered assurances and an intimacy that we
have abandoned in America; it gave the Chinese psychic as well
as material rewards that we have lost. We ourselves did feel
close to the Wangs [their Chinese friends], but as Westerners, the
constant gift giving and obligations left us uneasy” (Martin &
Nakayama, 2010).
 The Social Science approach makes a unique contribution to our
understanding of how different cultures define relationships.
 In other words, whether it be through dealing with cross-cultural
employees, co-workers, relatives, or friends, knowing this Glenda Cecil
information about how each culture defines relationships