Cultural Awareness Tips
Cultural awareness plays a very important part in society today. However, when we are actually faced with a new situation involving people of cultures we have never heard of, how do we conduct ourselves in a manner which not only does not offend them but draws them closer because they respect your ability to respect them. The following tips can help you out!
Firstly, let us begin with things you obviously should NOT be doing.
-Have good personal hygiene. Different cultures have different levels of tolerance when it comes to cleanliness.
- Do not judge based on appearances or make fun of the traditional costumes of other cultures
- Be open to other cultures and customs, do not mock what you do not understand
- Be sensitive to your surroundings. For example, if you are visiting a war memorial, do not laugh or play practical jokes on a friend
- Maintain eye contact but do not stare
Firstly, let us begin with things you obviously should NOT be doing.
-Have good personal hygiene. Different cultures have different levels of tolerance when it comes to cleanliness.
- Do not judge based on appearances or make fun of the traditional costumes of other cultures
- Be open to other cultures and customs, do not mock what you do not understand
- Be sensitive to your surroundings. For example, if you are visiting a war memorial, do not laugh or play practical jokes on a friend
- Maintain eye contact but do not stare
- When unsure, get help from a local before you make the situation escalate into something undesirable unintentionally
- Refrain from laughing uneccessarily but smile to make others comfortable
- Always do your own research on the customs and practices of the people you are visiting or hosting
- Be encouraging. When receiving a guest of a different culture, keep in mind that his or her standard of English may not be as good as yours. When they make an attempt to converse in English, be supportive and do not poke at their mistakes or laugh at them.
- Be more understanding. In some cultures, people may tend to ask more personal questions such as your income or you position at your job. Be understanding and try not to get offended. Instead, try to tackle the question in a witty way which would bring laughter and at the same time draw the both of you closer. For example, if someone asks you how much you earn, you could say, not enough! In this way you have avoided answering the question directly while bringing about some laughter.
- Know your own culture well. In modern society today, globalisation has caused many youngsters to be unsure about their own roots, much less appreciate another culture. Start by finding out about your own culture before you can become someone who is truly culturally aware.
- In the area of dining, be willing to try new foods and cuisines. There is absolutely no harm in trying. In fact, if you refuse, you take the risk of offending your host.
- Refrain from laughing uneccessarily but smile to make others comfortable
- Always do your own research on the customs and practices of the people you are visiting or hosting
- Be encouraging. When receiving a guest of a different culture, keep in mind that his or her standard of English may not be as good as yours. When they make an attempt to converse in English, be supportive and do not poke at their mistakes or laugh at them.
- Be more understanding. In some cultures, people may tend to ask more personal questions such as your income or you position at your job. Be understanding and try not to get offended. Instead, try to tackle the question in a witty way which would bring laughter and at the same time draw the both of you closer. For example, if someone asks you how much you earn, you could say, not enough! In this way you have avoided answering the question directly while bringing about some laughter.
- Know your own culture well. In modern society today, globalisation has caused many youngsters to be unsure about their own roots, much less appreciate another culture. Start by finding out about your own culture before you can become someone who is truly culturally aware.
- In the area of dining, be willing to try new foods and cuisines. There is absolutely no harm in trying. In fact, if you refuse, you take the risk of offending your host.
Don't mix them up!