This document discusses cultural awareness and differences. It begins by defining culture and explaining that it is relative, learned, and changes over time. It then discusses some forces that shape individual cultures like values, beliefs, education, and religion. The document outlines some dangers of stereotypes and ethnocentrism. It provides examples of cultural differences in areas like eating habits, religion, family structures, communication, and time. It stresses the importance of understanding other cultural frameworks and seeing cultural differences as creative problem-solving opportunities. The document also discusses the stages of cultural adaptation like honeymoon, initial confrontation, adjustment crisis, and recovery.

1. Attitudes & Behaviour “ Cultural Awareness”

2. Structure of Presentation What is Culture? Understanding Cultural differences Dealing with Cultural differences See some experiences…

3. Take this to your reality During this class … Talk about your experiences… If you agree or no! Talk about you contact with other cultures… Express your thoughts!

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

5. Culture Is .. Relative Learned Collective Changes over time Complex responsive process

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

9. Dangers! Stereotypes Prejudice Ethno-centric perspectives

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

11. Understanding Cultural differences Eating habits Beef Pork Horse “ Everything that moves”

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

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

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

15. Understanding Cultural differences Communication Language is culture specific Avoid use of idiomatic expressions Humour

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

17. Understanding Cultural differences Dress Code Depends on culture, customs, traditions and climate Adapt to local customs

18. Understanding Cultural differences Traffic Peacekeeper die in traffic accidents Different traffic conditions Respect local traffic laws Adapt to local conditions

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

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

21. Host Country’s Culture Knowledge of history, culture, customs and traditions Background for the conflict Expectations from “Blue Berets”

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

23. The Adaptation Stages Honeymoon Initial confrontation Adjustment crisis Recovery

24. 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 behaviour

25. The Adaptation Stages STAGE SITUATION APPROACH REACTION Adjustment crisis Problems intensify Experimentation with new behaviours 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

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

27. Case Studies The market place The toilet experience To walk hand in hand Movement control at the airport The gift

28. Summary Cultural awareness is increased by giving you the most common examples This is the first step to handle cultural differences positively, avoid conflicts due to misperception and to make you interact positively with host cultures

29. Summary Closely related to “Code of Conduct”, where you get written rules. In culture you may find few written rules, but make sure, you know and obey them