Culture Clash
Culture Clash
THE SHORT INCIDENT for today's column involves conversations since the horrors of Sept. 11. Understanding a culture
can combat hatredColleagues have asked, "Is there anything you have been doing with your newspaper column over the last half year that sheds a little light on what we can do?" The answer is that I hope so. I have tried to discuss and to explain various cultural differences and to encourage understanding rather than dismissal of them.
Developing an awareness of other cultural frameworks people are offered, in various parts of the world, is hard work. People put so much time and effort into learning their own culture, and keeping up with cultural change, that they have little time left to learn about other countries. Yet the effort must be made.
I have tried to discuss cultural differences that people find difficult to understand. These include arranged marriages, a very direct and argumentative communication style, brusque behavior at social gatherings, and experiences stemming from being inserted into a cultural stereotype. Reactions to discussions of these differences can range from irritation to disapproval to the feeling that, "I could never behave that way and the other culture must change!"
These normal reactions must stop short of hatred and the judgment that other people in other cultures are inherently evil. Almost all people have a natural abhorrence of violence, but feelings of hatred make expressions of violence more likely. Careful analysis of differences has to include examinations of the cultural guidance that is offered to Americans. What is it about our behavior that people in different parts of the world find so unacceptable that they are willing to commit acts of violence that destroy themselves? The answers, which will include individualism and intellectual isolationism, will cause uncomfortable but hopefully more sophisticated thinking.
The phrase I have heard most often since Sept. 11 is that American innocence has been lost. Visiting students, businesspeople, and journalists from Asia and Europe often comment that people in their countries know more about the United States than Americans know about them. Predictions are that this will have to change. Colleges will offer more courses with international content where cross-cultural understanding is a goal. The number of students studying other languages will increase. Newspapers and newsweeklies will increase their international coverage, and subscribers will insist on balanced treatments. Many people will replace weekend visits to parks and beaches with trips to libraries.
The purpose of this column is to increase understanding of human behavior as it has an impact on the workplace. Special attention will be given to miscommunications caused by cultural differences. Each column will start with a short example of such confusion. Possible explanations will be offered to encourage thought about these issues.
Richard Brislin is a professor in the College of Business Administration,
University of Hawaii. He can be reached through the
College Relations Office: cro@cba.hawaii.edu
