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SGTM 5 B: Cultural Awareness. What is culture? Understanding cultural differences Dealing with cultural differences Scenarios. Meanings Beliefs Values Behaviours. Culture is. Relative Learned Collective Continuously evolving Complex and responsive. Social forces:.
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What is culture? • Understanding cultural differences • Dealing with cultural differences • Scenarios
Meanings • Beliefs • Values • Behaviours
Culture is • Relative • Learned • Collective • Continuously evolving • Complex and responsive
Social forces: • Urbanization • Migration • Industrialization • Nationalism • Colonization • Socio-economicdevelopment
Individual characteristics: • Socio-economicclass • Gender • Ethnic background • Cross-culturaladjustments • Education • Language • Profession • Religion
Stereotypes • Prejudices • Ethnocentric perspectives
Military – Military Civilians – Civilians CULTURE Military – Civilians International staff – Local communities Groups within localcommunities
East Asia: chopsticks • Europe:knife and fork • Other regions:clean right hand • Common plate Multinational dinner in Asmara, Eritrea: UNMEE 2001.
Beef • Pork • Insects
Know the religion of yourhost country • Respect all beliefs
Pay respect to elders • Understand family ties • Understand gender roles
The meaning of words is culture-specific • What is he saying? • Idioms and slang • Humour
Gestures • Smiles • Handshakes • Holding hands, touching
Understand local cultureand climate • Adapt yourself to localdress codes
Most peacekeepers die in traffic accidents, so: • Adapt to local traffic conditions • Respect local traffic laws • Drive defensively
Different notions about punctuality: • Military • Civilian • Local
Understand your culture • Accept logic of other cultures • Appreciate differences
Local knowledge • Your performance
Climate • Language • Currency • Road signs • Colleagues
Foster good relations • Military — Civilians • Military — Other military • Teamwork
1. “Harmony in movement control” 2. “An honour to walk hand in hand” 3. “Toilet training”