The effect a group has on the self range in a variety of unique ways.

This influ ence can be both positive or negative or neither. Depending on the personalities that makeup the group will determine the affect it will have on the individual self. Positive effects of a group bring together a sense of teamwork and unity. Examples of this can be an organization such as church or a facility created for individuals with mental disabilities. Examples of a negative infleunce a group can have is joining a street gang. What makes this group unsafe and dangerous is the violent personalities and misled ambition of its members. A multi-cultural experience occurs when an individual is placed among a differen t culture that they are not use to. These experiences showcase the individuals a bility to connect with other members of society who have different beliefs. How an individual reacts to this culture change and its differences is determined by preconceived ideas from prior experiences. An individuals upbringing in a home that promotes fairness and equality among other cultures, will have more openess towards the differences in cultures. A individual that was raised in a home tha t promoted racism or stereotyping at anytime will have an increased chance of ha ving a negative view on different cultures. I recently experienced a multi-cultural environment while celebrating the arriva l of my son. As a gift I received a gift card for an exclusive five star restaur ant. This restaurant was called Benehanas and the meals they provide can cost up wards around three hundred dollars. With my current income I would have not been able to have a dining experience at Benehanas. The majority of Benehanas custom ers are wealthy and have the means to afford such dining luxuries. Before arriving at Benehanas I did not realize I would be entering into a place that was a different culture from mine. The restaurant is located in the neighbo rhood that I currently reside in. I understood that the restaurant was upscale a nd expensive but entered with few preconceived notions. I understood that the re staurant was upscale and being an individual that cannot afford to be a customer on a full-time basis, I believed forms of stereotyping would occur. Stereotyping was the main preconceived notion that I had. I believed the employe es would take a longer time arriving with our food, display arrogance in their a pproach, and act rudely when I requested materials. These preconceived notions c ame from previous experiences in which I found myself in an upscale business and was treated unfairly. A second preconceived notion that I believed I would face was the class of its customers. The customers that Benehanas caters to consist of the wealthy. I believed that t hese customers would look down on me due to my appearance. I did not go into thi s restaurant wearing a tuxedu or suit. I knew I was going to wear my everyday cl othing which is urban casual. A preconceived notion that I believed I would run into were stares and ackward moment of silence when I entered in a room. Each of these preconceived notions were influenced by a group in some type of wa y. The peers that I choose to communicate with all have a similar way of thinkin g and and have all been raised