Cross Cultural

CULTURE MATTERS

This article contains tasks. Answer them the way you want. One possibility is to copy and paste. File the tasks and send them to the teacher (Jukka.Taipale@lut.fi) by Thursday 22.01.2013

You may understand much of what’s been happening to you, but many actions, attitudes, values—entire ways of thinking and behaving—may on occasion surprise, puzzle, or even shock you. On the other hand, you also may be unaware of what you have in common with host country nationals. People in any culture, for example, need to find an acceptable way to express anger, cope with sadness, manage conflict, show respect, demonstrate love, or deal with sexuality. As we examine the differences between two cultures, we are often looking at different ways of answering the same questions. If you don’t notice the similarities, it’s because the ways in which we act or think differently are what produce the most challenge and tension for us. What we have in common often goes unnoticed, but it is one of the most important parts of our experience.

THE GOAL IS UNDERSTANDING

In cross-cultural training and living, the goal is learning about yourself and others. Just as you want to learn another language so that you can communicate with local people and understand the new world around you, you also will want to learn the silent language of cultures— your own and your host country’s. In trying to appreciate the differences between your culture and the local one, you may feel that you’re supposed to like and accept all these differences. Cultural sensitivity, however, means knowing about and respecting the norms of the local culture, not necessarily liking them. You may, in fact, be frustrated or even offended by certain acts. In some cases, increased understanding will lead to greater respect, tolerance, and acceptance; in others, it just leads to enhanced awareness. The goal in cross-cultural training is to increase your understanding, to give you a powerful set of skills, a...