(expatriate) understanding cultural differences when you live abroad

7/30/2019 (Expatriate) Understanding Cultural Differences When You Live Abroad

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Understanding Cultural

D ifferences When You L ive

Abroad

U nderstanding 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. U nderstanding 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 dif ferences helps you adjust to life in a new place.

Why it's important to understand cultural differencesWhat is culture? C ulture includes values, beliefs, tradit ions, and the spokenand unspoken rules about why things are done the way they are in a given

country or region. The way you act and w hat you believe are the result of a

lifetime of cultural conditioning. This is true for all of us, no matt er 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 that s why its so important t o understand the

local culture and customs.

U nderstanding the local culture will help you enjoy yourself, and help youmake 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 t o 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 customsThe more you learn about the local culture, the easier your adjustment will be.

Reading about the country and culture ahead of t ime -- before you arrive -- is

a good idea. M any 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 w ill never stop.

H ere are some good ways to learn about t he local culture:

Find out as much as you can about the local customs. Local customs and traditions

dictate w hats considered polite, acceptable, and important to people. What

are the important holidays? H ow are children disciplined? How are pets

treated? L ocal custom d ictates whether its acceptable to have work functions

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


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2 l Understanding Cultural Differences When You Live Abroad

on a Friday evening. I n an Ind ian 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 showthey are thinking about what the other person has said. In some countries, if

you bring a gift o f flowers or chocolate as a dinner guest, t his is considered

impolite. The dinner hostess may take it to mean that you dont feel she has

acceptable food or flow ers. 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 gestur es set the stage for futur e relati onships.

G estures 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. I s it all right to shake hands when meeting a neighbor orfamily friend? Which hand should be used? When Turks or Saudis meet for

the first time, they wait to be introduced rather than introducing themselves.

It s important t o be aware that many cultures, such as C hinese 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 B razil.

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, o ffering criticism, or keeping o ffice doors open or closed. I n

Argentina, being late for a scheduled meeting is considered acceptable and

even normal. H aving a personal chat before gett ing down to business is

customary in Jordan or when negotiating with a businessperson in France. A

G erman 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 customar y ways to get to know people. I s 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. C onsult the etiquette books and resources listed at the end of

this article. Also look for resources at the library, the American embassy, orthe 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.

T ry 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 g ive you insights into the people and culture.


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You also show your respect to local people by communicating in their

language.

Remember that learning about a dif ferent cul tur e takes time. U nderstanding the

local culture takes months.

Adopting appropriate behaviorTypical American traits such as the t endency 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 oppor tuni t ies to learn more about the local cul tur e. Be observant. Talk

about your experiences and observations with t rusted local friends. Read about

the culture. The State D epartment provides background no tes on various

countries. G o to www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn. See the list of resources at the endof this article as well. Your countrys American embassy or consulate office

may also have helpful information.

Don t expect people fr om other cul tur es 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 t radition. You cannot change it. Remember that

you are living in their country and culture.

When you ar e wi th local people, avoid compar ing the local cultur e and customs to

your own. C omparisons like this can be heard in terms of better and w orse

and not just different. Waiting t o be asked is a good rule of thumb. Keep in mind that people are reacting to you j ust as you ar e 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 . It s not a q uestion of whose way is better

or superior. It s about adapting to a new way of life and new people.

T ry not to react emotionally when something about the cul tur e bothers you. When

someone acts in a way that frustrat es you, understand t hat this behavior may

be rooted in local custom or t radition. For example, the local custom may be to

segregate men and women at social events, and this may present certainchallenges 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 inf luenced by negative experiences. This can affect your

attitude and outlook. D ont let expatriates with a negative attitude influence

your getting to know t he culture and its people on your own terms.


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Accept that you wi ll inevi tably 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.

I f you ar en t sur e 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 t he expatr iate community and mixi ng wi th

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 your self t ime 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.

ResourcesMany books, periodicals, and Web sites have information about cultural

differences around the world. H ere are some good resources:

Books

The Ar t of Crossing Culturesby Craig Storti

(Intercultural P ress, Yarmouth, Maine, 2001)

Dos and Taboos Around the Wor ld

by Robert E . Axtell, Ed.

(John Wiley & Sons, N ew York, 1985)

The Global Eti quett e Guide to Asia

by D ean Foster

(John Wiley & Sons, N ew York, 2000)

Series includes Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Mexico and

Latin America

Survival Kit for Overseas L iving: For Amer icans Planning to

L ive and Work Abroad

by L. R obert K ohls

(Intercultural Press, Yarmouth, Maine, 1997)

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