Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
seated reasons for the cultural specificity of
such-and-such a group. Although psychology,
geography, history, religion and economics may be
part of what people 'really are', these do not deal
with the culture. Just seek to understand the culture,
the system of communication.
Be on the lookout.
Listen to your own discourse, making judgements
about people, 'The French are...' No. ' I i nd the French
to be like this or that...' Yes, What is true is: another
culture does not have the same characteristics as
yours. Try to avoid judging these differences as good
or bad.
Recognise a 'cultural quiz' which begins with
a strange and unpleasant opacity in a specii c
situation. You may feel humiliated and confused,
but don't pass judgement. Remember the details
as much as possible so you can review them.
Then analyse the experience to find an
interpretation that can be verii ed elsewhere in
the culture.
Finally see, from this analysis, how other aspects
of the culture might apply.
Learning clues from 'old-hands' or locals on site can
often help. Find someone particularly perceptive,
however. Some people never think about what
makes them do something ingrained and 'old-
hands' have sometimes left the puzzle unsolved.
Formal Social Skills Training aimed at cross-cultural
competence. This you will find in the section
'Professional Help in Cultural Understanding', on
the next page.
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