Sgtm 5 b attitudes & Behaviour “Cultural Awareness” Structure of Presentation

SGTM 5 B

• Attitudes & Behaviour
• “Cultural Awareness”

Structure of Presentation

• What is Culture?
• Understanding Cultural differences
• Dealing with Cultural differences
• Case studies

Culture

• A shared system of
• meanings,
• beliefs,
• values
• behaviours
• through which experience is interpreted and carried out

Culture Is ..

• Relative
• Learned
• Collective
• Changes over time
• Complex responsive process

Forces Shaping Individual Culture

• Personal Culture

• Values
• World-views
• Beliefs
• Behaviours

• Urbanization

• Migration

• Minority Experience

• Cross-cultural Adjustments

• Profession

• Gender

• Language

• Education

• Industrialization

• Social background

• Ethnic background

• Religion

• Nationalism

• Colonisation

Dangers!

• Stereotypes
• Prejudice
• Ethno-centric perspectives

Culture – In Peace Operations

• Civilians – Civilians (International)

• International actors Local communities

• CULTURE

• Military – Military (International)

• Military – Civilians (Organizational)

• Local Communities

Understanding Cultural differences

• Eating habits
• Asia - chop sticks
• Europe - knife and fork
• Clean right hand in some countries
• Common plate

Understanding Cultural differences

• Eating habits
• Beef
• Pork
• Horse
• “Everything that moves”

Understanding Cultural differences

• Eating habits
• Pork not eaten by Muslims for religious reasons
• Christians keep horses, dogs and cats as pets
• Fish is neutral

Understanding Cultural differences

• Religion
• Religion – an important place in many societies
• Knowledge of religion of host nation very important
• Respect religious beliefs

Understanding Cultural differences

• Family and Gender
• Elders are highly respected in some cultures
• Understand family ties
• Different gender beliefs and views

Understanding Cultural differences

• Communication
• Language is culture specific
• Avoid use of idiomatic expressions
• Humour

Understanding Cultural differences

• Body Language
• Gesture/body language have different meanings
• Smile will never be misunderstood
• Polite handshake is accepted in most cultures

Understanding Cultural differences

• Dress Code
• Depends on culture, customs, traditions and climate
• Adapt to local customs

Understanding Cultural differences

• Traffic
• Peacekeeper die in traffic accidents
• Different traffic conditions
• Respect local traffic laws
• Adapt to local conditions

Understanding Cultural differences

• Time
• People have different concept of time
• Need to understand
• “You have the clock, we have the time”

Building Cultural Awareness

• Understand your own culture
• Understand and accept logic of other cultural frameworks
• Cultural differences as unique and creative problem-solving opportunity

Host Country’s Culture

• Knowledge of history, culture, customs and traditions
• Background for the conflict
• Expectations from “Blue Berets”

Cultural Shock

• Unfamiliar:
• Language
• Climate
• Currency
• Road signs
• Colleagues
• Adaptation process

The Adaptation Stages

• Honeymoon
• Initial confrontation
• Adjustment crisis
• Recovery

The Adaptation Stages

• STAGE

• SITUATION

• APPROACH

• REACTION

• Honeymoon

• First exciting contact with new culture

• Observe

• Excitement;
• Curiosity;
• Slight concern

• Initial confrontation

• First intensive feeling with new culture

• Solve problems in familiar ways

• Confusion;
• Mystified about;
• Others behaviour

The Adaptation Stages

• STAGE

• SITUATION

• APPROACH

• REACTION

• Adjustment crisis

• Problems intensify

• Experimentation with new behaviours

• Frustration;
• Anger;
• Confusion about

• Recovery

• Sense of belonging to culture emerges

• New strategies to help one function effectively

• New culture is understandable;
• Enjoying many aspect of it

Maintaining Good Relations

• Between military and civilian
• With other military contingents
• Team work

Cultural Awareness

• “If you are
• Humble
• Respectful
• Friendly
• you will always be fine”

Case Studies

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

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

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

Questions ?