Called to a staff meeting by his principal, Stan Brown from New Zealand reviewed the materials on a mathematics curriculum development project that he wished to see incorporated into the high school at which he taught. Stan had been teaching in the Philippines for two years and was enjoying his sojourn at this international school in Manila. Jose, who had developed a close relationship with Stan, was also asked to the meeting. The principal asked Stan to discuss his proposal, the content of which was already known to the others at the meeting. Only slight mddifications were necessary. It was agreed to take the next step toward possible implementation. Since thes had taken less time than expected, the principal asked Jose to say a few words about the curriculum development project he was working on. Again, most of the people at the meeting knew of this project. While Jose gave hes project outline, Stan asked some difficult questions that forced Jose to thind on hes feet and to defend some of hes earlier assumptions. After the meeting, Jose told Stan that he could not meet him for dinner as earlier planned. Stan was puzzled by Jose’s cancellation.
Which of the following tells the true reason about Jose’s cancellation of the dinner party?
Jose will go to the library for more materials so he could better explain his proposal in the future.
Jose is jealous that Stan’s proposal was approved.
Jose thought that Stan’s actions during the meeting were not those of a true friend.
The principal asked Jose to reconsider his proposal.
Comment: In New Zealand, a friend can openly provide constructive criticism. Stan took this for granted, as it is a common practice among Westerner. In fact, if Stan did not make such suggestions to a friend in hes country (these suggestions are helpful in the long rerm), the friend would be angry that Stan did not help him when he had the chance. In the Philippines, however, a person cannot be a friend and a critic at the same time, or at least not in public. If Stan had made those suggestions to Jose privately, most likely, Jose would not have harbored such a hostile feeling toward him. Therefore, Stan should find some other way to voice his comments, that is , way acceptable to the Filippinos(including the southeastern Asians).