Attitudes & Behaviour

Cultural Awareness

Communication
People

dont get along because they fear each other. People fear each other because they do not know each other. They dont know each other because they have not properly communicated with each other.
Martin Luther King Jr.

Culture
Culture

is the sum total of the learned behavior of a group of people that are generally considered to be the tradition of that people and are transmitted from generation to generation. Culture is communication social behavior of a society

SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

TES / Mil Div / DPKO

imagine hell like this: Italian punctuality, German humour and English wine. Peter Ustinov

SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Culture Is ..
Relative
Learned Collective Changes

over time Complex responsive process

SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Forces Shaping Individual Culture

Urbanization Migration Minority Experience Nationalism Colonisation Education Industrialization

Personal Culture
Values World-views Beliefs

Social background

Crosscultural Adjustments Profession

Behaviours

Ethnic background Religion

Gender
SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

Language
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Dangers!
Stereotypes

Prejudice

Ethno-centric

perspectives

SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Understanding Cultural differences

Eating habits
Asia

- chop sticks Europe - knife and fork Clean right hand in some countries Common plate
SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03 TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Understanding Cultural differences

Eating habits
Beef Pork Horse

Everything

that moves
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

Understanding Cultural differences

Eating habits
Pork

not eaten by Muslims for religious reasons Christians keep horses, dogs and cats as pets Fish is neutral
SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03 TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Understanding Cultural differences

Religion
an important place in many societies Knowledge of religion of host nation very important Respect religious beliefs
Religion
SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03 TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Understanding Cultural differences

Family and Gender
Elders

are highly respected in some cultures Understand family ties Different gender beliefs and views
SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03 TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Understanding Cultural differences

Communication
Language

is culture specific Avoid use of idiomatic expressions Humour

SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03 TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Understanding Cultural differences

Body Language
Gesture/body

language have different meanings Smile will never be misunderstood Polite handshake is accepted in most cultures
SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03 TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Understanding Cultural differences

Dress Code
Depends

on culture, customs, traditions and climate Adapt to local customs

TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Understanding Cultural differences

Traffic
Peacekeeper

die in traffic

accidents Different traffic conditions Respect local traffic laws Adapt to local conditions
SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03 TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Understanding Cultural differences

Time
People

have different concept of

time Need to understand You have the clock, we have the time
SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03 TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Building Cultural Awareness

Understand

your own culture Understand and accept logic of other cultural frameworks Cultural differences as unique and creative problem-solving opportunity
SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03 TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Host Countrys Culture

Knowledge

of history, culture, customs and traditions Background for the conflict Expectations from Blue Berets

SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Cultural Shock
Unfamiliar:

Language Climate Currency Road signs Colleagues

Adaptation
SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

process
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

The Adaptation Stages

Honeymoon Initial

confrontation Adjustment crisis Recovery

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TES / Mil Div / DPKO

The Adaptation Stages

STAGE SITUATION First exciting contact with new culture APPROACH REACTION Excitement; Curiosity; Slight concern Confusion; Mystified about; Others behaviour
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Honeymoon

Observe

Initial confrontation

First intensive feeling with new culture

Solve problems in familiar ways

SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

The Adaptation Stages

STAGE SITUATION APPROACH
Experimentation

REACTION Frustration; Anger; Confusion about

New culture is understandable; Enjoying many aspect of it
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Adjustment crisis

Problems intensify

with new behaviours

Recovery

Sense of belonging to culture emerges

New strategies to help one function effectively

SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

Cultural Awareness
If you are
Humble Respectful Friendly

you will always be fine

SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03 TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Case Studies
The

market place The toilet experience To walk hand in hand Movement control at the airport The gift

TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Ten Tips for Cross Cultural Communication

Slow Down Separate Questions Avoid Negative Questions Take Turns Write it Down Be Supportive Check Meanings Avoid Slang

Watch

the humour
TES / Mil Div / DPKO

BODY LANGUAGE IN DIFFERENT CULTURES

Eye

Contact Handshakes Greetings Personal Space Touching Small Talk Personal Dress and Hygiene Gestures
SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03 TES / Mil Div / DPKO

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
SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03 TES / Mil Div / DPKO

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

SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

TES / Mil Div / DPKO

Questions ?

SGTM 1.1@30JUNE03

TES / Mil Div / DPKO