Classroom: Cultures 02-01-07

How we can understand each other and how that makes it easier for us to love one another.

Rather than a difference becoming a conflict, it can become a good experience to learn from. One thing I always remind myself of when something comes up that I don’t agree with or if it shocks me is that I have to remember that most people don’t mean to hurt or annoy me. The intentions are probably good, actually – or if they’re not good, then at least they don’t mean anything. So that helps me to remind myself when something comes up that they probably didn’t mean anything by that.

World View: A set of assumptions, either conscious or unconscious, about the basic make-up of the world and how the world works (or how the world “should” work, as the person thinks).

-Discipling Nations by Darrol Miller

Key influences on worldview:
Money (economics)
Geographical location/climate
Religion
Education/IQ/Media
Culture
Family background
Government/Politics
Gender
Sexuality
Personality
Experiences

A worldview develops more over time and it can be sculpted and changed; but it begins from birth. The strongest influence happens during childhood years. Everybody has a worldview. Some worldviews are more similar to one another, some are very different, and of course – everyone tends to think that their worldview is the right one.

It’s always good to understand each other and ourselves. We don’t want to put a blanket over all types of people but there are some good, safe generalizations we can make. It’s important to know that all the Middle Eastern countries are different from each other – and the European nations are also different. So when we say “western” or “eastern” we can still break that down – we are still dealing with extremes. God reflects part of himself into each culture. And then we have individuals. He also reflects other parts of Himself into individuals that are not necessarily in the cultures. For example, some cultures are very good in hospitality. Others are good in order or organization, or being open and honest. It’s just

Character traits that seem to be opposites but not in a good/bad sense:

Organization and flexibility
Sociable people – quiet people
Athletic – academically hard working
Imaginative/creative – practical logical
Conservative – Liberal
Leaders – followers/workers

Most of these are not a matter of right and wrong. Each of these are different. When it does come to right and wrong, we still can’t compare to other cultures. We need to compare to God and who He is.

Here, we were split into groups according to culture and asked to answer a couple questions about the culture we're from. Here's my group:

Group 2
US, Canada, UK

Define your own culture:
Based on Individual rights
Value Democracy
Drinking
Sexually liberated – legalized preference/choice
Sex is no longer private
Less family oriented
Families based on relationship

What can others learn from your culture?
Equality
Not judging others
Tolerance of other people and their choices

What might others find challenging?
Lack of cultural identity (multi-cultural)
Individual choice (drugs…)
Freedom to say whatever you want – even if it’s offensive

In the Middle East, people are thinking “what can I eat today, how can I feed my family, there is a strike today… western nations think about other things.”

The last few DTS schools, they have had a lot of struggles, challenges, and aggravation between the differences of cultures.

High-context Culture
(Formal)

- Generally ancient, old cultures (like the Middle East or Asia)
- More formal/traditional
- Less of a mix of cultures
- Honor/respect is highly valued in these culturesEverything matters, details matter, even the order in the way the food is made – or the order in the way you hang the clothes on the line

Low-context Culture
(Informal)

- Newer, more recent cultures (like the US and Canada) Even within these cultures, the west cost is low-context than the east coast.
- Informal, not so traditional
- More of a mix of cultures
- Comfort and convenience is a high value in these culturesAnything goes, doesn’t matter how you do it – only that you do it (within reason)

In all cultures, youth go through a period of low context (teenagers and early 20’s). A lot of them test the boundaries and try to break out – that sort of thing. Most of the time they revert back to their traditions once they get to a certain age. Something to note for people interested in missions: There are no low-context cultures in the 10-40 window.

Reference: Foreign to Familiar – a book that influenced this session. If you like the topic of different cultures and peoples, this is a good and very easy book to read.

Efficiency/Task Cultures

- Time is important, resources are important
- Run on logic, does something make sense or doesn’t it
- Words: You can say “no” and there are no hard feelings. If you say you like it – that means you like it
- Cultures put value on what you know, even though “who” you know is also important.
- Written communication is necessary (for legal or binding)
- Being on time is important
- Planning ahead is considered more efficient so that’s what most people are comfortable with
- The task is important more than being together. Tasks and social time are separate
- Show respect by being reservedIt’s a good day if you get a lot done

Relationship/People Cultures

- People oriented, warm and friendly
- Based on feelings (what is the nice thing to do? It is good to have a good relationship with people. If somebody asks you for something, it is more difficult to say “no” because that would show that you’re putting yourself first). Example, in Nepal when foreigners come in and ask for a guide in the mountains for a month – he almost can’t say no even though it will be very difficult to leave his family for such a long period of time
- Meaning of language can come from tone of voice
- Cultures put all value on who you know, and no value on what you know
- Oral communication is fine (for legal or binding)
- Being 5 or 10 minutes early/late is fine
- Spontaneity, take it as it comes
- Be together (work, study, doesn’t matter as long as you’re together)It’s a good day if you have good relationships with people

Group Cultures

- Everyone takes care of each other, and puts others first
- People are good at anticipating each other’s needs. With a person in Egypt, and her friend knew her need before she did. Looked at the fan and knew Naomi was hot before Naomi knew.
- What’s mine is yours and what’s yours is mine
- Person is always more important than the thing. You don’t want to reject somebody by telling them they can’t borrow your expensive/valued item.
- If you have your own opinion, you will look to what the best interest of the group is. Opinions are shared or compromised. It’s much more important to function as a group.If you want to say “no” to someone, you can’t just say “no” – you have to do so in a round-about way or it’s rude.

Individual Cultures

- Each person takes care of themselves and does not bother anyone else. It might look selfish – which it can be in the extreme, but if is not selfish because you’re taking care of yourself in order not to disturb others – appears opposite of good but is actually good, or coming from good motives.
- Privacy and personal belongings are highly valued
- What’s mine is mine and what’s yours is yours – it’s assumed that you’ll ask permission before taking other people’s things
- The thing can sometimes be more valued than the personSpeaking your opinion is normal and accepted. Not speaking for yourself is considered weak

There are many more of these cultural examples – these are just some that the DTS leaders feel are applicable to our group.
Culture is something you learn, personality is something God gives you naturally.

Practical application for understanding different cultures better for the people in our school, to save yourselves and others from hurt and frustration.

1. Pray for yourself and others, to see the good characteristics in these people that God gave them even though many things seem to be opposites.

2. Observe other people without forming an immediate opinion or judgment. When you see something happen, don’t immediately react. Think about it for a while; watch for more patterns for this person and other people – listen for the answer.

3. Be determined to think out of the box. Try to accept these differences without making yourself feel superior or inferior.

4. Try something new. You might like it that way better.

5. Remember that it’s not wrong or right – usually it’s just different. Of course there is such a thing as sin. I’m not saying sin is right. But when you look at these things, look at them in terms of culture. Ask God what He thinks, and for His insight.

1 Corinthians 13 – what is love? Take a look at each individual thing. Love is a choice. Take some time to meditate on each individual aspect of love and what it means.