“Cultural Awareness”

“Cultural Awareness”

A shared system of meanings, beliefs, values behaviors through which experience is interpreted and carried out Culture

Urbanization Nationalism Colonization Education Personal Culture Migration Industrialization Minority Experience Social background Values World-views Beliefs Behaviors Cross-cultural Adjustments Ethnic background Profession Religion Gender Language Forces Shaping Individual Culture

Customs and TraditionsHolidays and Festivals

Some useful definitions first: A festival is a day or days when people celebrate something, often a religious event. Traditionsare practices and beliefs that are passed down between generations of a certain family, culture, or other group. They are hand down from generation to generation, especially by word or by practice. Traditions have been there for a very long time, but new traditions are also made all the time and sometimes they even replace the old ones. A custom is a practice followed by people of a particular group or a region.

Stereotypes Prejudice Ethno-centric perspectives Dangers!

Eating habits Asia - chop sticks Europe - knife and fork Clean right hand in some countries Common plate Understanding Cultural differences

Eating habits Beef Pork Horse “Everything that moves” Understanding Cultural Differences

Eating habits Pork not eaten by Muslims and Jews for religious reasons Christians keep horses, dogs and cats as pets Fish is neutral Understanding Cultural Differences

Religion Religion – an important place in many societies Knowledge of religion of host nation very important Respect religious beliefs Understanding Cultural Differences

Family and Gender Elders are highly respected in some cultures Understand family ties Different gender beliefs and views Understanding Cultural Differences

Communication Language is culture specific Avoid use of idiomatic expressions Humor Understanding Cultural Differences

Body Language Gesture/body language have different meanings Smile will never be misunderstood? Polite handshake is accepted in most cultures Understanding Cultural Differences

Dress Code Depends on culture, customs, traditions and climate Adapt to local customs Understanding Cultural Differences

Time People have different concept of time Need to understand “You have the clock, we have the time” Understanding Cultural Differences

Understand your own culture Understand and accept logic of other cultural frameworks Cultural differences as unique and creative problem-solving opportunity Building Cultural Awareness

Unfamiliar: Language Climate Currency Road signs Colleagues Adaptation process Cultural Shock

Honeymoon Initial confrontation Adjustment crisis Recovery The Adaptation Stages

STAGE SITUATION APPROACH REACTION Honeymoon First exciting contact with new culture Observe Excitement; Curiosity; Slight concern Initial confrontation First intensive feeling with new culture Solve problems in familiar ways Confusion; Mystified about; Others behavior The Adaptation Stages

STAGE SITUATION APPROACH REACTION Adjustment crisis Problems intensify Experimentation with new behaviors Frustration; Anger; Confusion about Recovery Sense of belonging to culture emerges New strategies to help one function effectively New culture is understandable; Enjoying many aspect of it The Adaptation Stages

“If you are Humble Respectful Friendly you will always be fine” Cultural Awareness

“Cultural Awareness”