Caution: These are broad generalizations and should not be used to stereotype any individuals.

Communication
• Individual expects to know details of condition.

• Privacy is important.

• Direct eye contact is expected. But try to avoid excessive direct eye contact with members of the opposite sex to avoid any hint of sexual impropriety.

• Emotional control is expected.

• Will want nurses to provide psychosocial care.

Family/Gender Issues
• Generally small family size.

• Immediate family refers to spouse, siblings, parents, children.

• Decision-making by individual for self, or by either parent for child.

• Husbands and wives may have equal authority.

• Independence valued; self-care will generally be accepted.

Time Orientation
• Depends on socioeconomic class. Poor people tend to be present-oriented; middle & upper class individuals tend to be future oriented.

Expression of Pain
• Patients will generally tend to be stoic, although will want pain medication.

Pregnancy & Birth
• Prenatal care is generally sought.

• Husband is usually the preferred labor partner.

• Hospital births generally preferred, even if an alternative birthing center is used. This may be related to a cultural desire to control events.

• No post-partum rituals.

• Breastfeeding is generally practiced for 3-6 months

End of Life Issues
• Patient will generally want to know diagnosis and prognosis.

• Stoicism is valued when someone dies.

• Organ donations & autopsies are acceptable, unless forbidden by religion.

• Cremation or burial acceptable, unless one is preferred by religion.

Health Related Practices
• Generally prefer an aggressive approach to treating illness.

• Biomedicine preferred, although many may also use complementary and alternative medicine. Be sure to inquire about the use of herbal medications.

• May prefer to be left alone when sick.

• Germs thought to be the cause of disease; treatment aimed at destroying germs. Antibiotics often requested, even for viral illnesses.