Outsourced” - the movie study guide
You are going to watch and create a reflection on the film "Outsourced".
These questions will help you. If you miss watching the film in class, you may get a copy from the library and watch it at home. Here are some clips from "Outsourced"
Reflection
Create a reflection about the movie Outsourced using the PowerPoint I give you. Show that you really understand the above cultural concepts.
1. As soon as Todd arrives, he experiences the discomfort of being disoriented in a
strange new place. What happens at the airport?
- There was a guy holding a sheet of paper which his name was written wrongly, So he took a taxi because he didn’t recognized his name.
2. When a friendly traveler helps him get on the train, what does he tell him to do?
- He said this is India, and he told him to jump into the train.
3. When he gets on the train, he cannot find an empty seat. How is this problem
solved for him? How might this be a cultural solution?
- There was a kid setting but when he saw Todd the kid let him set in his seat. This is a solution that Indian kids respect older people.
4. As any exchange student, he has a lot of experiences trying new food. His first
encounter is with an iced drink. What happens?
- He give a guy the money, but the guy told Todd that he don’t have change, So he said to keep the change.
5. First encounters with a culture can be shocking – Todd sees crowded streets with
cows, noise, and a man urinating in the street. But how does his host describe the
city?
- By saying that it’s a nice city.
6. Even though the host Puro speaks English, Todd uses American slang a lot
without thinking. So as not to insult Puro, what does he say the meaning of
Schmuck is?
- A nice guy.
7. Todd wants to check in to a hotel. But Puro insists he comes to a boarding house.
What is the reason he gives Todd?
- There is a lady will take care of him , and his will be lonely.
8. As soon as they meet, Aunti Ji starts asking very intimate questions that
Americans who have just met would never ask. What kind of things does she ask?
- What’s your good name?, Are you married ?, So you have a girlfriend .
9. During his first conversation with Aunti Ji he makes two big mistakes. What are
they?
- He licked his fingers and put it back to the food, and he ate by his left hand.
10. The Golden Rule says do unto others as you would have them do unto you. That
means his Indian hosts and friends are trying to make him comfortable the way
they would be comfortable. How does this apply when the servant is preparing
tea for Todd?
- Extra of everything.
11. How does Todd figure out why one does not eat food with the left hand?
- Because the left hand used to clean himself in the bathroom.
12. What is ethnocentric about his statement "You need to learn about America"?
- He believes that America is better than India.
13. Why do they disagree on how a "native" speaks English?
- Because they have their own word pronunciation.
14. What doesn't Todd understand about the Indians' response to the "cattle brand"?
- He talked about India without knowing about Indians and their culture.
15. What is Todd's reaction to "You need to learn about India"? What stage of culture
shock might it represent?
- He didn’t know why Aysha said that and he was shocked about it. (High-context culture)
16. He calls home several times. Why? What stage of culture shock might provoke
calls home?
- Because he is homesick.17. What mistakes in language usage are represented in the recording of the call about
"a rubber"?
- In the British Accent Rubber means eraser – But in the American accent it means condom.
18. Why is he so eager to go to McDonnells?
- Because he wants to eat what he have ate in his homeland.
19. Todd doesn't understand bargaining. How does the Indian respond to this?
- Bargaining is common in India. So he decreased the value by himself.
20. What does I.N.D.I.A. stand for?
- I NEVER DO IT AGAIN
21. What advise does his fellow American have for him?
- He advised him to GIVE IN.
22. When Todd develops the incentive system, he has begun to adapt to India. How
has he adapted?
- “HOLY DAY”, by celebrating the color festival with them.
23. When he looks at the cow in the office the second time, why is his reaction so
different?
- Because he begun to adapt the Indian culture.24. Explain the difference between American and Indian cultures when Todd and
Puro discuss how often he visits his family and why he doesn't live with them.
- In India they live with their families even if they get older , because their families is the first priorty in their lives. Unlike American culture, they used to move away from their families when they find a job away from their home , so they meet occasionally such as weddings , Christmas and sometimes in Funerals.
25. What cultural values are involved in the exchange between Aunti Ji and Todd
about ironing his underwear?
- It describes the differences between American mothers and Indian mothers. Indian mothers are so careful.
26. How well does Todd handle himself when he is invited over the wall to an Indian
home for a meal?
- He always get their to give the food and he enjoy doing that.
27. In what ways does he show he has adapted?
- When he danced with the workers and get sad when his boss told him to go to China.
28. When the call center floods and they are shut down, Todd finds an "Indian"
solution. What is it?
- He asked the guy who invited him to the lunch to replace the wires by extend it so they can use the computers. That’s a way to survive in India.
29. When Todd comes home, there are several signs that his Indian experience has
influenced him. Name three ways he has become more "Indian".
- His phone ringtone. Eating with his right hand. Making his tea.
