Understanding Cultural Differences When You Live Abroad

Overview Understanding cultural differences to help you adjust to life abroad. Why its important to understand cultural differences Learning about the local culture and customs Adopting appropriate behavior Resources

Understanding cultural differences will help you enjoy your time abroad and make the most of your experience. It will help you make new friends, make your relationships easier, and help you adjust to the people and culture around you. Understanding how cultures are different may also change you in significant ways as you begin to learn more about yourself in a new cultural setting. The following information describes how understanding cultural differences helps you adjust to life in a new place. Why it's important to understand cultural differences
What is culture? Culture includes values, beliefs, traditions, and the spoken and unspoken rules about why things are done the way they are in a given country or region. The way you act and what you believe are the result of a lifetime of cultural conditioning. This is true for all of us, no matter where were from in the world. Two people from two different cultures may have different views about whats normal, how to raise children, or what values matter most at work. Thats what makes living in a foreign country so interesting and challenging. And thats why its so important to understand the local culture and customs. Understanding the local culture will help you enjoy yourself, and help you make new friends and get along with co-workers. It will affect how you react to the local people and events around you and how people react to you. To get the most out of living in a foreign culture, you and all members of your family will need to learn about and understand the local culture.

Learning about the local culture and customs

The more you learn about the local culture, the easier your adjustment will be. Reading about the country and culture ahead of time -- before you arrive -- is a good idea. Many of your best sources and teachers -- the local people will be there after you arrive. You will have a greater understanding of your host country if you learn as much as you can about the local customs and traditions throughout your stay. Your learning will never stop. Here are some good ways to learn about the local culture: Find out as much as you can about the local customs. Local customs and traditions dictate whats considered polite, acceptable, and important to people. What are the important holidays? How are children disciplined? How are pets treated? Local custom dictates whether its acceptable to have work functions
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Understanding Cultural Differences When You Live Abroad

on a Friday evening. In an Indian home, you wouldnt exchange tastes of a meal because this is considered unclean. In some cultures its fine to pat a childs head to show affection. In other cultures, this is seen as offensive. Silence is common during conversations in Japan. Its the way people show they are thinking about what the other person has said. In some countries, if you bring a gift of flowers or chocolate as a dinner guest, this is considered impolite. The dinner hostess may take it to mean that you dont feel she has acceptable food or flowers. The more you know about local customs, the more youll understand why people act and think the way they do. Be aware that proper greetings and gestures set the stage for future relationships. Gestures and greetings vary from culture to culture. Find out how people greet one another in your host country and how gestures are used to communicate. Be aware of how local greetings and gestures are different from and similar to what you are used to. Is it all right to shake hands when meeting a neighbor or family friend? Which hand should be used? When Turks or Saudis meet for the first time, they wait to be introduced rather than introducing themselves. Its important to be aware that many cultures, such as Chinese and Japanese, are non-touching cultures. Its also important to know that a gesture means different things in different cultures. For example, a thumbs up sign indicates approval in the U.S but is considered vulgar in Japan and Brazil. Find out about the local business and work customs. Local culture influences how people respond to work-related issues such as deadlines, giving and taking instructions, offering criticism, or keeping office doors open or closed. In Argentina, being late for a scheduled meeting is considered acceptable and even normal. Having a personal chat before getting down to business is customary in Jordan or when negotiating with a businessperson in France. A German employee will be confused by a compliment followed by constructive criticism while an American employee might find this normal. In India, its considered impolite to bring up business during lunch with a co-worker. Learn about the customary ways to get to know people. Is it polite to ask about someones family and children? Is it all right to laugh out loud? Are women accepted in all social situations? Do your research. Consult the etiquette books and resources listed at the end of this article. Also look for resources at the library, the American embassy, or the consulates office. Local people will expect you to follow local rules and customs. The more you know about local ways, the better. Have an open mind. Avoid prejudices and stereotypes described by locals as well as expatriates. Try to learn the language. It will help you understand the culture and the people and avoid misunderstandings. Knowing even a few basic phrases will make you feel much less vulnerable and give you insights into the people and culture.

Understanding Cultural Differences When You Live Abroad

You also show your respect to local people by communicating in their language. Remember that learning about a different culture takes time. Understanding the local culture takes months.

Adopting appropriate behavior

Typical American traits such as the tendency to work hard are viewed favorably by people in many parts of the world. But other American traits, such as the tendency to be direct, are not always considered so polite. Think about your American style and how it influences the way you think and act. Look for opportunities to learn more about the local culture . Be observant. Talk about your experiences and observations with trusted local friends. Read about the culture. The State Department provides background notes on various countries. Go to www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn. See the list of resources at the end of this article as well. Your countrys American embassy or consulate office may also have helpful information. Dont expect people from other cultures to behave the way you do. They didnt grow up where you did and dont have the same customs or habits. Their behavior is rooted in local custom and tradition. You cannot change it. Remember that you are living in their country and culture. When you are with local people, avoid comparing the local culture and customs to your own. Comparisons like this can be heard in terms of better and worse and not just different. Waiting to be asked is a good rule of thumb. Keep in mind that people are reacting to you just as you are reacting to them. Be aware of how your behavior affects others. Should you behave differently now that you are in a different place? For example, the typical American trait of quickly sharing a lot about yourself with others may not be pleasing in the culture in which you are living now. Its not a question of whose way is better or superior. Its about adapting to a new way of life and new people. Try not to react emotionally when something about the culture bothers you. When someone acts in a way that frustrates you, understand that this behavior may be rooted in local custom or tradition. For example, the local custom may be to segregate men and women at social events, and this may present certain challenges for you. Try to go along with the local custom, adopt appropriate behavior, and learn from the experience. Try to fully understand a situation before you pass judgment. Be careful not to be influenced by negative experiences. This can affect your attitude and outlook. Dont let expatriates with a negative attitude influence your getting to know the culture and its people on your own terms.

Understanding Cultural Differences When You Live Abroad

Accept that you will inevitably make a faux pas or mistake . When you do, the best thing to do is to apologize and to chalk it up as a lesson learned. Apologies are truly universal. If you arent sure about a local custom or practice, ask. People are generally thrilled that you are interested in their customs and ways and will gladly answer your questions. Create a balance between being part of the expatriate community and mixing with the local people. You may find yourself wanting to socialize exclusively with other expatriates. Be careful to avoid this tendency if it means you learn less about the culture and people you are working with and meeting. Give yourself time to adjust . Take occasional rests by engaging in pastimes that you enjoy. Socialize and compare experiences with trusted friends. You will enjoy your stay abroad if you work to understand, accept, and appreciate the local culture and traditions. Youll feel more relaxed, more involved in your community, and more able to be yourself. Youll also begin to know and appreciate the people around you for who they are as individuals.

Resources
Many books, periodicals, and Web sites have information about cultural differences around the world. Here are some good resources:

Books
The Art of Crossing Cultures by Craig Storti (Intercultural Press, Yarmouth, Maine, 2001) Dos and Taboos Around the World by Robert E. Axtell, Ed. (John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1985) The Global Etiquette Guide to Asia by Dean Foster (John Wiley & Sons, New York, 2000) Series includes Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Mexico and Latin America Survival Kit for Overseas Living: For Americans Planning to Live and Work Abroad by L. Robert Kohls (Intercultural Press, Yarmouth, Maine, 1997)

Understanding Cultural Differences When You Live Abroad

Periodicals
International Herald Tribune www.iht.com/athome.html

Web site
Tales from A Small Planet www.talesmag.com/rprweb/home.shtml

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