Cultural conscious traveling and how to understand cultures

To be a conscious traveler it is important to understand and respect the culture. When you travel you will learn so much about the culture of the place especially if you engage with locals. There are a few technical frameworks that can help you to understand cultures.

This blog post gives a theoretical overview of understanding cultures and my personal travel stories related to culture. In the end, you have a clear picture of the dimension from which countries to countries differ.

What is culture

The Merriam-Webster dictionary has the following two definitions of culture: “the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group” and “the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization“.

Mainly culture means the shared beliefs, and values, behavior of a group of people. It doesn’t imply that a certain country has a particular culture. Diverse cultures can be found within one country.

Chad is the most cultural country in the world. The north-central African nation has 8.6 million residents and more than 100 ethnic groups. Argentina, on the other hand, is considered one of the least culturally diverse countries. 97 % speak Spanish in Argentina.

Cultural Dimensions Models

The cultural dimension models are theoretical frameworks to divine cultures, behaviors, values, and much more of a specific culture. There are two main models you can learn about in this post. Those models I have learned during my studies in the intercultural communication course.

Cultural dimensions by Hofstede

The six cultural dimensions by Hofstede is a model to understand cultures. Mainly used in the workplace. Very helpful if you move abroad to work in a different country. But it also shows how society in general is behaving. Maybe you can use it even to decide which country you want to explore more.

Power Distance

The first dimension is the Power Distance, which indicates the hierarchy level and distribution of power within an organization. A high-power index shows strong hierarchies in which everyone has a place. A low power index shows equal distribution of power and low hierarchy levels.

A practical example is that children in a country with a low power index are talking back to their parents, whereas in countries with a high-power index that is something very unusual. The country with a very low power index is Austria. On the opposite side with a high score is Malaysia.

Individualism vs Collectivism

The next dimension is Individualism vs Collectivism. Individualism refers to achieving your own goals, looking after close family, stand up for individual rights. Collectivism means that in a society people look after each other, the We is more important than the I, the people are considered very loyal to the community.

A recent example of Qatar, although this topic is huge, I’m only going to talk about individualism and collectivism. The world cup is held in a Muslim country where collectivism is ranging high. Visitors from different countries come to visit. It is important for a visitor to understand and respect the culture. This theoretical approach can help to understand the culture better. Hassan Al-Thawadi explains it very well in the interview here, at minute 13:00. Community values, in this case very strongly connected with religion have a higher importance than individual values.

Masculinity vs Feminininty

Masculinity vs Femininity is the next dimension. A feminine civilization prioritizes cooperation, nurturing, and quality of life while a masculine society encourages assertiveness, courage, strength, and competition. A high score for femininity in a society means that feminine gender roles are important, whereas a low score means females are often found in leadership positions showcasing masculine traits.

A good example of that is Sweden, where also fathers are entitled to have the same days of parental leave as mothers. In contrast, in Japan, children are confronted with the competition and achievement-oriented values of society, at school.

Uncertainty avoidance

Uncertainty avoidance indicates how well a society copes with anxiety, the openness to new things and change and the risk in order to make a change. A high index of uncertainty avoidance indicates low tolerance for uncertainty and risk-taking. Whereas a low uncertainty avoidance score stands for the acceptance of the unknown is accepted and a high tolerance for change.

Greece has a very high index and Singapore has a very low index. A good practical example would be if a teacher doesn’t know the answer to students’ questions it is more acceptable for students of low uncertainty avoidance countries. But also, how a country or an individual person of a country perceives changes. Those with a high uncertainty avoidance rather stick to how things were done in the past while low-score countries drive for changes.

Long-term vs Short-term orientation

Long-term vs Short-term orientation represents how countries link to their past and deal with challenges in the present. Countries with a short-term focus defend long-standing traditions and conventions and view societal change with skepticism. While long-term-oriented countries have a more pragmatic approach and focus on the future. Some of its characteristics include the ability to adapt, long-term growth, thrift, saving, and tenacity.

Asian countries are strongly long-term oriented countries, such as China, South Korea and Japan. While Ghana has one of the lowest scores when it comes to a long-term orientation. A short-term orientation has also Nigeria, United Arab Emirates and the United States.

Indulgence vs. Restraint

The final dimension is Indulgence vs. Restraint, which determines a society’s ability and inclination to satisfy its needs. Indulgence stands for free satisfaction, basic human urges to enjoy life and have fun are important and socially allowed. Countries of restraint suppress the satisfaction of needs. There are strict social norms and a low value placed on leisure.

The people within the indulgence nations tend to buy more luxurious goods, in contrast to restrained countries where money is more spent on basic goods. Denmark’s society is considered indulgent and Egypt has a very restrained society.

Sources: https://www.hofstede-insights.com/fi/product/compare-countries/ https://www.simplypsychology.org/hofstedes-cultural-dimensions-theory.html
https://www.hofstede-insights.com/models/national-culture/

Cultural Types by Lewis – Understanding countries’ culture

The cultural model developed by Richard D. Lewis is based on nationality, religion and behavior. The typology is divided into three categories: Linear-active, Multi-active and Reactive.

The characteristics of the linear-active category are talking half of the time, being job-oriented, polite but direct, limited body language, and truth over diplomacy. Countries in that category are Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg, USA and Norway

Some traits of the multi-active category are talking most of the time, being emotional, impatient, people-oriented, and flexible truth. Some countries in that category are Mexico, Italy, Colombia and Spain.

Characteristics of the reactive group are listening most of the time, being polite, indirect, never confronting, diplomacy over truth, patience, and subtle body language. Some countries in that category are Vietnam, Japan, China, Taiwan and Hongkong.

Sources: https://redtangerine.org/agile-around-the-world/
https://magnussonllc.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/lewis2.jpg
https://www.crossculture.com/the-lewis-model-dimensions-of-behaviour/

16 Personalities Countries assessment

You may be familiar with the 16 personality traits. The great thing is that there is even a country rating where you can see what makes up the majority of a country’s personality.

Looking through your cultural glasses

You wear them, the glasses, how you see the world, a certain culture and behavior are disrespectful in your eyes, while it is tolerated in the eyes of others. You see the world through cultural glasses.

I’m an observer, I love observing the behavior of people in the cultural context and discovering differences from what I’m familiar with. My observant nature and inquisitive mind have provided me with some of my fondest travel memories. For example, when I was sitting in a kitchen talking to Tanzanians about their worldview and the changes in their country throughout history. Here are some of my learnings during the travels that let me understand cultural differences better:

Showing affection public in different countries

While living in Tanzania I learned a lot about this very different culture from what I have known. In Tanzania, you can’t see couples showing affection in public. Not even couples hold hands in public, you can see same-sex friends holding hands before you see couples holding hands.

In comparison spending, several months in Mexico showed me the absolute opposite. Showing affection in public in Mexico is very normal and common. Especially in parks, you can watch romantic couple dates and lots of kissing.

The cultural diversity in a bar in Slovenia

A few years back in the summer I visited Ljubljana with my sister and a mutual friend of ours. One night we went out together. We were very early at the bar, talked, laughed and had some drinks. At some point I went to the toilet and after I returned to my friends it was packed with young guys, lots of Italians. We were surrounded by them. The guys were making this famous Italian hand gesture 🤌🏼 trying to flirt, dance, talk, and invading our personal space. A little further in the corner, I observed 4 guys dancing. It was such a funny situation those Italians were all around us, going off a little too strong and then those other guys, just being by themselves keeping distance. I could swear that they were German.

For me, it was fun to experience this cultural diversity in a bar in the Slovenian capital. And I’m not saying there’s good or bad behavior, it’s just that you see these extremes of different manners that represent such an accurate picture of the culture.

Understanding cultures – Dating

Let’s turn now to the topic of dating. Relationships are perhaps the most challenging, but also the most exciting thing you can do cross-culturally. Simply because you learn so much about another culture.

When I was talking with a South American friend about relationships and dating, I discovered something I call the sexualization of physical contact. Physical contact or closeness does not equal dating or attraction in Latin and South America. Just look at the importance of dancing in Latin culture. So there, a person has to make it very clear when they have a crush on someone. In Tanzania, I heard a story where a foreigner hugged a local, and the local thought there was more to it than that. Physical contact is not received the same in different cultures.

Europe, I would say, is a bit in the middle, but has also done a good job of sexualizing physical touch. It was obviously different in the past when women and men showered together after a marathon. But that’s also a whole other topic for another day.

Understanding other cultures are very important for intercultural relationships. Some important factors are gender roles, loyalty, expression of feelings, and perception of time or proximity to family.

German predictability

Whenever I travel and stay in hostels there is at least one German person in the hostel room. Always when we exchange small talk and I reveal my nationality it ends up with them saying “Ah dann können wir ja Deutsch sprechen” (Ah so we can speak German). Seriously it is in 90 % of the cases the exact same phrase.

While learning about predictable culture in University, this occurrence came to my mind and I thought, that’s the explanation. So, Germans are highly efficient and very predictable, of course, there are exceptions. But when a German tells you he/she will be there at this time he/she will be there.

American vs. European

Something I observed during my studies and travels is the difference between the American mentality and the European. Americans are way more open-minded, and outgoing and don’t seem to have a problem standing in front of the class and presenting something. They always seem super confident. Europeans on the other side are very modest and reserved. At least in Central Europe or German-speaking countries. Austrians I would say can also be pretty closed-minded.

Closeness to family

When I lived in Tanzania, I experienced that many people did not make difference between their cousins and siblings. They were all simply siblings which shows the closeness of the family. Extended family is for them the close family, they support each other with housing, money, food and of course emotional.

Practical tips for your travels – understanding cultures better

• Do your research beforehand

Do your research before you visit the country. Find out about behavior that is respectful and that which is not tolerated. Look up special regulations or laws. Remember important phrases in the language.

• Show respect towards the country and culture

Adapt to cultural customs and respect the country and culture. Do not be ignorant and be open to new things. Think of the cultural dimensions if you do not understand the behavior or the rules

• Get a deeper understanding of the culture

If you really want to understand the culture and values of the society in a country, I recommend staying longer, traveling slowly and discovering the culture while living in the country. By interacting with locals, you also learn a lot about the culture and history of the country and participate in events.

• Have an open mind

I think that is in some instances difficult because mindset often depends on how we got raised. You might have prejudice about a particular culture/country, but you have the willpower to engage with the culture anyway. Forget what the media tells you, go out there and see it yourself. You will be surprised by what you will find. Stay open-minded, and eager to learn because the world and its people are the best schools. ✌🏼

Understanding and respecting the culture you are traveling to is very important. And I believe that If you understand the culture you can show more respect. Therefore I hope this article was valuable for you and helped you to understand your co-workers, partners or locals of the country you are visiting better.