Concepts differ from one person to another based on experiences or the person’s culture. The manner in which we perceive concepts differs from one society to another. There is no uniform interpretation of concepts since ideas and understanding in different cultures differ. Events or actions in the environment influence the circumstances that lead to the interpretation of concepts.
Concepts require a wide view of knowledge and cultural explanations to interpret. Language differences are also to blame for the existence of conceptual differences. Translating words and meanings from one language to another results in conceptual differences. The discussion will provide various interpretations and understanding of the concept of friendship between different cultures and professions. A detailed analysis of this concept will be provided to understand why concepts are perceived differently in society.
Friendship is widely known as a bond between two or more people where they share things in commonality. Most societies perceive the concept of friendship to benefit the parties involved. As such, friends do things together, provide for one another, motivate each other, and meet each other’s emotional needs. This interpretation of friendship is common among people, but other descriptions of this concept exist. The concept of friendship is additionally used to depict an improvement of relationships. Societies view friendship as a means of improving hostile relationships between different parties. People on good terms with one another and expressing some happiness are considered to be in friendship. The concept can be understood casually but narrowed down to widen the scope of interpretation and understanding (Amichai-Hamburger 35).
In international relations, the concept of friendship is interpreted as the existence of a good relationship between countries. Countries that relate together and engage in common activities for mutual benefit are considered friendly. These countries will always allow their citizens to move to one another’s countries without any restrictions. They engage in bilateral trade and are still ready to help each other during disasters. Common ideologies unite such countries. They also profess to specific ideas that might not be common worldwide. From this perspective, the concept of friendship has a different interpretation depending on the issue. Hostile nations that are a threat to each other are considered unfriendly. In most cases, they do not engage in joint activities and often sideline each other even during calamities (Katan 20).
The concept of friendship is interpreted and understood differently in different cultures. Friendship sets some expectations that should be maintained under all circumstances. The Chinese culture perceives friendship as a serious personal relationship that has existed for a lifetime. The Chinese take friendship seriously and are always willing to make sacrifices for the benefit of friendship. Friendship lasts for a lifetime as long as you once shared something in common in your lives. Even if people stay away from each other such that communication is limited, friendship in this culture will remain intact. Sacrificing for one another is the basis of friendship in this culture. If a friend is going out to play, a friend is expected to stop what he or she is doing to accompany one another to play. The concept of friendship in this context is a choice that cannot be revoked quickly (Erwin 22).
The concept of friendship is different in American culture. Unlike the Chinese culture, American culture perceives friendship as something casual. People become friends due to common activities or goals. An example is a group of students pursuing the same course who will develop some friendship that works to realize their learning goals. They will talk to each other and refer to each other as friends during this period. If they complete their studies, the concept of friendship ends. They stop communication and forget that they were once friends. The word friend is used casually in this culture, as people tend to refer to their close companions and casual acquaintances as friends. It is easier for strangers in this culture to chat and express their friendship over a short period. The concept of friendship, therefore, does not carry much weight since it does not attract much expectation between different parties (Chambers 12).
In English culture, the concept of friendship is similar to that of the U.S., which is directed toward shared interests. Individuals can pick up friendships even after many years away from each other. Friends do not have to maintain constant communication but can renew their friendship later in life. The concept is different from French culture, which holds friendship to be a close relationship between two people where you get to understand the strengths and weaknesses of one. Friendship should be able to bring the best out of a person. The basis of friendship in French culture is masculinity. Friendship is an affair between men and women are usually disregarded because they are thought to be a weaker gender. The concept of friendship in German culture relies on sentimental attachments. The way people grow together creates friendship, which is cemented through friendly ties. Friendship is considered a family affair, and as such, friends belong to an artificial family (Amichai-Hamburger 36).
Friendship is a concept that also differs in the manner in which it is used in a certain profession. The legal profession uses friendship in different circumstances. When non-parties to a case volunteer to help the court come up with an informed judgment, they will always seek to be enjoined in the lawsuit. In such a case, the new party is termed a friend to the court. A friendship develops in this case because one party intends to help the other administer justice in a manner that will create fairness and satisfaction for all the parties.
In conclusion, concepts provide a broader scope of looking at things differently. From the concept of friendship, it can be seen that different cultures have different ways in which they interpret friendship. There are broad underlying issues in each culture that make friendship. The various interpretations influence the behavior and actions of individuals in those cultures. Despite the existence of a common ideology, the concept still differs in the manner in which it is deeply connected to the ways of life. The concept can additionally be used professionally in particular disciplines. The legal profession has its interpretation of friendship. It is also similar to public relations, where the idea is interpreted to suit issues of public relations. Concepts will continue to differ in society, and appreciating diversity is the best way to understand concepts in different cultures.
Works Cited
Amichai-Hamburger, Yair, Mila Kingsbury, and Barry H. Schneider. “Friendship: An old concept with a new meaning?” Computers in Human Behavior 29.1 (2013): 33-39.
Chambers, Deborah. Social media and personal relationships: Online intimacies and networked friendship. Springer, 2013.
Erwin, Phil. Friendship in childhood and adolescence. Routledge, 2013.
Katan, David. Translating cultures: An introduction for translators, interpreters and mediators. Routledge, 2014.
