TEDx Learning Hub – About Global Culture(s) - what divides us and what connects us.
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These slides are part of a deep and inspiring conversation during a session of the TEDx Learning Hub, a space for organizers of TEDx events around the world to share experiences and learn from each other. Watch the video on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdkFuA72XXA&feature=player_embedded [1 hour]
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TEDx Learning Hub – About Global Culture(s) - what divides us and what connects us.
- 2. Global Culture(s) what divides us, what connects us
- 4. Funny things happened on my way to the TEDx Learning Hub
- 5. ... while in Austria
- 6. ... while in Germany
- 7. ... while in Italy
- 8. ... while in Brazil
- 9. ... while in India
- 10. ... while in Hong Kong
- 11. ... while in China
- 12. ... while in China
- 13. ... while in the United Kingdom
- 14. ... while in the USA
- 15. ... back in Austria
- 16. ... back in the USA
- 17. Here’s what I’ve learned, in a nutshell We laugh the same We cry the same We feel the same pain, the same hunger, the same oppression
- 18. And I came to understand this – Our differences really are just on the surface.
- 19. Ultimately, variety unites us!
- 20. Variety is the spice of life.
- 21. United we are ONE humanity!
Editor's Notes
- Before we engage in a conversation about culture(s), I’d like to tell you a few stories about my journey through some of the world’s prevalent cultures – We’ll learn what divides us, and what unites us. But what is culture? Culture is a way of life of a group of people.
- Before we engage in a conversation about culture(s), I’d like to tell you a few stories about my journey through some of the world’s prevalent cultures – We’ll learn what divides us, and what unites us. But what is culture? Culture is a way of life of a group of people.
- Before we engage in a conversation about culture(s), I’d like to tell you a few stories about my journey through some of the world’s prevalent cultures – We’ll learn what divides us, and what unites us. But what is culture? Culture is a way of life of a group of people.
- Here you see the flags of the countries I’ve worked in: Austria, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Hong Kong, USA, United Nations (back in Austria), and back to the USA. On my journey I experienced many different cultures, and came to love ALL of them! So many stories are eager to be told, so let’s get started!
- I had no idea about the popularity of the movie Sound of Music! We Austrians know the von Trapp story, but that’s it. Only much later I learned about this popular American icon of Hollywood Musicals. Austrians are proud of their contributions to world civilization. We shake hands with everyone present--men, women and children. Viennese men may kiss the hand of a woman. It’s a small country now, but 100 years ago it was a huge empire. Austrians are NOT Germans!
- Polícing each other is seen as a civic duty. Story driving on the German Autobahn. Germans are closet romantics with some difficulty expressing emotions, like, say, Brazilians would. Story of Z-Communication ad agency owner's dog.
- So when I married my Brazilian wife it was time to move closer to a more emotional country – and we moved to Italy! The Italians are talking with their hands, and I guess if their hands were bound to their back they couldn’t talk at all. But this way of talking helped me a lot to understand what they were saying, while I was learning their language. Italians LOVE to have siesta after lunch, taking a 2 or 3 hour break. I LOVE driving in Italy, it’s so easy, you just get into their flow and enjoy the ride. Rules exist, and if you have time you may obey them – story of driving in Napoli.
- Brazilians are much more relaxed than Italians. And they are extremely casual about time. Story of first day at work. Physical contact is part of simple communication. Women kiss twice - once on each cheek - if they are married. Single women add a third kiss. That got me into trouble a few times.
- ... I met my Brazilian wife – 3 weeks later we were married. But that’s a story for another time! Indians won't say no, but sometimes they also won’t say yes – they shake their heads in a way that could mean either one - it’s your guess. Story of a temple visit: "it's just there". They are very hospitable. Story of tea time with a stranger. Indians don’t like to shake hands, they feel Namaste is much more hygienic. When in company you definitely won’t put your feet on the table, or point them towards someone else. Your left hand is considered unclean, don’t use it for eating. Don't say Thank You all the time, Indians don’t understand why this would be necessary.
- Like Indians, Chinese find it difficult to say “no", they may say "maybe" or "we'll see" in order to save face. "Saying it without saying it." You will have to learn to read between the lines. When around Chinese do not touch, hug, lock arms, back slap or make any body contact. Also when talking to someone don’t stare directly into their eyes. Story of the JWT office in HK. You may be referred to as "Gweilo" (foreign devil). Story of a Chinese restaurant.
- Ah ... China! What a great country! So rich in history and culture! In 1995 I was invited to attend the UN Women’s Conference in Beijing, as one of just a few men amongst 1000s of women from all over the world. Story of the bed sheet in the taxi cab.
- Ah ... China! What a great country! So rich in history and culture! These Chinese characters mean “one person portrait”. In 1995 I was invited to attend the UN Women’s Conference in Beijing, as one of just a few men amongst 1000s of women from all over the world. Story of the bed sheet in the taxi cab.
- Brits love to stand in queue, and cutting the line is one of your worst offenses you can commit! They also love their privacy! Story of woman w/ child talking through half-closed door in winter.
- Here nobody gives a damn if you put your feet on the table. Everybody is on first-name terms. And nobody really expects an answer to the ubiquitous question “Hi John! How are you?” Or more casual “Hi, how are ya?” The only proper answers are "Fine," "Great," or "Very well, thank you." This is not a request for information about your well-being; it is simply a pleasantry. Story of my counter question “How much time do you have?” "See you later" is just an expression. People say this even if they never plan to see you again. Americans love a brief and firm handshake – as opposed to Africans who would find that rude, they enjoy a soft and long handshake, sometimes lasting 2 to 3 minutes. For Americans eye contact is important when shaking someone’s hand. Americans are very conscious about THEIR space, in a conversation keep the appropriate distance. Body contact, like in Brazil, is not appreciated. "Please" and "thank you" are very important in the United States. Say "please" and "thank you" to everyone for even the smallest kindness. Also, say "Pardon me" or "Excuse me" if you touch someone or even get close to someone. There is a standard format for small talk: people ask brief questions and expect brief answers.
- When I returned from my round the world culture journey and working for the United Nations my newly acquired ability to observe different cultures came in handy. Story about the use of social media long before social media tools were invented.
- Now I’m living in this small Shangrila-like college town, where many of the cultures I’ve come to appreciate are represented – like a micro-cosmos of the vast global cultural diversity. I’ve been at a performance of Whirling Dervishes from Turkey, I’ve enjoyed Indian classical music, I’ve also been at several concerts by the famous Vienna Boys Quire, and there is even an authentic Austrian restaurant in town whenever the desire for Wiener Schitzel gets the better of me. So...
- Painting by my dear friend Jana Dallosova, in Vienna, Austria. As we have still time here are two BONUS pictures:
- Standing in line, Bahia, Brazil, style! :)