Cultural Awareness saves lifes and protects your nerves

Understanding Culture

Training Board

Introduction Hello and welcome to working with this Training Board. First of all, a few remarks and instructions.

Execution - Sit in a way that each of you can see the

Training Board at all times. - Start with one member of your team, in

turn, reading aloud the text on this page. Later you may decide yourself whether you will read aloud or whether each member will read for himself or herself.

- Now work and discussions can begin. - Follow the instructions and keep to the

sequence provided. Please also keep to the time frames specified for each subject area and choose a timekeeper.

The timekeeper is (enter name):

Background / Starting Point In the last decades the Bundeswehr has experienced a number of social and security-political changes. In connection with the suspension of compulsory military service this will lead to a growing social, cultural and religious diversity. Additionally, the Bundeswehr is involved in multinational units and participates in operations abroad. This means basically that members of the Bundeswehr - as soldiers or civil employees - have to be prepared to come increasingly into contact with people from other countries or cultures.

Be it as a fellow soldier in one's own unit, deployed abroad in cooperation with partners of other national units or when communicating with indigenous people in the theatre of operations. The habits of our own culture often appear to be so natural and binding to us that it is even difficult to understand that people from other cultures follow different "rules" in their behaviour. To give an example: In Western Europe the gesture "thumbs up" has positive connotations, while in Afghanistan it may constitute an insult. However, not every time a "thumbs up" can be seen in Afghanistan, it is actually an insult - perhaps the gesture was only imitated. In particular during military operations in cultures that are not familiar to us, such a thing may quickly lead to misunderstanding or conflicts - and ultimately threaten one's own life or the lives of fellow soldiers.

Objectives The general objective of this training board is to raise your awareness of (inter)cultural issues. In this context the following questions play a central role: What is your personal relationship to culture? How does culture influence our thinking, feeling and acting? How can (national) cultures be described? In this context, the emphasis is on personal reflection and discussion in your team. Now enjoy your "journey" together through the phenomenon of culture.

My Personal Cultural Roots This module is about having a look at your own cultural roots - that is to realize the things that were formative for you personally.

Task 1 On this page you will find three maps: one map of Germany, one map of Europe and a world map. Please open now Annex 1. There you will find stickers. Now please take one sticker and write your initials on it. Then stick it on one of the maps at the place where your personal cultural roots are. This is usually where you grew up, the place you consider your original home or where your family comes from - even if your family may not live there any more today. Position your sticker as accurately as possible - that is for example in the exact region within Germany.

Task 2 Now you should tell your team at the table about the characteristic features and typical things of your region and the cultural background. What were the things that influenced and formed you there? Your preparation time for this is five minutes. Please open now Annex 2. There you will find facilitation cards. Take one of them and write your personal notes on your cultural background on this card. For orientation you should use the following key questions - but you may also emphasize other aspects that seem to be important to you. Focus on a maximum of five key questions. Do I come from a more rural or more

urban environment? What are the characteristic features

with regard to the natural environment and the countryside, living and working environment, accommodation, buildings, architecture etc.?

What characteristics and features are attributed to the people who live there?

What are the typical lifestyle and principle of life?

What characterizes an average family and the way they live together?

What role do religious issues play in the life of people?

What traditions, customs, rituals, but also feasts and other events exist that are formative for community life?

Task 3 Now let us come to your personal "cultural reports": Each of you has about two minutes to explain his cultural background to the others. Please emphasize primarily what you personally consider important and what influences you to this day in your thinking, feeling and behaviour. Do not interrupt each other and also do not make any comments or judgments.

Module 1

Culture and Behaviour In the previous module you approached the topic of "culture" on the basis of personal experience. In this approach you may have found that culture is something quite normal. Everybody contains it, so to speak, "within himself". Now we want to narrow down further what is meant by "culture" and how it influences us.

Tasks In the following you will find some fundamental statements on the topic of culture and below them some empty lines. Discuss each statement briefly. Find one or two examples for each statement and use these lines to make a few notes on them.

Culture describes a mostly unconscious orientation system, ... ... whose characteristic features are formed already at an early age and that has an impact on our perception, thinking, feeling, judgment and behaviour. Examples:

______________________________________________

... that consists of values, attitudes, convictions, expectations (in particular when dealing with each other) as well as of notions of norms, regulations and duties that you have to comply with. Examples: ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ ... that is perceived as normal, friendly and typical for a certain group. Examples: ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ ... that contributes to the development of a personal identity and thus provides us with confident behaviour even in situations where we feel insecure. Examples: ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________

Module 2

The Iceberg Model of Culture As you learned in the last module, the thoughts in the minds of the members of a culture determine their actions. However, such thoughts can be at best guessed or derived - they are not discernible straight away. This is frequently explained using the example of an iceberg.

Only a small part of a culture is directly discernible. What makes up the core of a culture lies "below the water surface" and is not immediately recognizable.

Task 1 This task is about developing a personal "culture iceberg". For this you will find in Annex 3 cards with a relevant picture. Distribute one card to each team member. At first each member should work alone for three minutes.

Now you should write 2-3 terms (values, attitudes, convictions etc.) that are particularly important to you personally in the lower part of the iceberg (i.e. "below the water surface"). Then describe in the upper part of the iceberg (i.e. "above the water surface") how these

personal points of reference manifest themselves in your behaviour (at work, in your spare time), in your clothing, in your apartment, in your relationships etc. - i.e. in things that are generally visible to other people.

Task 2 Now each member will talk briefly about "his iceberg" (max. 1 minute). Explain why your selected values, convictions, norms etc. are important to you. In this context also refer to your personal cultural roots from Module 1.

Task 3 After these considerations with regard to your personal culture, now a common "iceberg" is to be developed, which will represent, in a way, the lowest common denominator. For this purpose take an additional card from Annex 3 and enter at first those terms with the most matches.

If this should not yield any matches, try to develop a joint culture iceberg independently of the personal entries. Then stick the card again in the designated space.

In this context it is important that if we are in contact with other cultures we tend to judge that what we observe there - i.e. "above the water surface" - against the backdrop of our own cultural conceptions (i.e. what we have at home "below the water surface"). This is frequently the reason for many difficulties, misunderstandings and conflicts when dealing with people.

As an example: In our civilization punctuality and meeting deadlines is considered an important virtue and an expression of respect for the people you are talking to. However, in many cultures this is completely different - for example in Afghanistan. There unpunctuality is in most cases not indifference towards negotiation partners, but rather the expression of a completely different sense of time.

Module 3

Comarison of the Cultures of Different Countries Since cultures are multilayered and initially also confusing, it is important for a first orientation in an unknown culture to have criteria that can be used for the description and comparison of these cultures. In this module this is to be explained using the example of the cultures of different countries - Germany, Finland, the US, Morocco and China.

Task On this page you will find a large matrix. The uppermost line contains five criteria that can be used for describing cultures (even if the actual number of the existing criteria is considerably larger, we will limit ourselves to these five): The relationship between men and women, family life, the predominant religious life, typical communication habits, the attitude toward time and the thinking with regard to protection and planning. In the left column the above-mentioned countries are listed. Please open now Annex 4. You will find 5 sheets - one for each country. They provide a brief outline of the typical culture of each country corresponding to the above-mentioned cultural criteria (men and women, family life etc.). Provide each team member with one sheet. Now deal with one country after the other (the order of the countries does not matter). First read aloud the six cultural criteria and then enter together one or two summarizing keywords for each point into the appropriate field of the matrix on the board.

Men and Women Family Life Religious Life Communication Habits

Attitude towards time

Thinking with Regard to Protection and Planning

Germany

Finland

USA

Morocco

China

Module 4

Cultural Dimensions It is now necessary to compare the information about the different spheres of life of the individual cultures using so-called cultural dimensions. For this Annex 5 will provide some explanations. First read them carefully - it would be best to read them aloud.

Task This task is about analyzing the information about the spheres of life of the different cultures from your matrix in Module 4 and compare them with the help of the described 5 cultural dimensions. For this purpose your will find representations of 5 profiles on this page. The German culture is already plotted as an example. At first discuss the profile for the German culture. Then add the remaining profiles for Finland, the US, Morocco and China. At the same time discuss the information provided in the matrix in Module 4. Plot your points and connect them with lines. Please note: This is of course not a “math” problem - on the exact positioning opinions may differ. Nevertheless, please try to reach a uniform result during your discussion.

Germany

Relationship and Harmony Orientation

Hierarchy and Respect Orientation

Fact and Time Orientation

Directness in Communication

Thinking with Regard to Protection and Planning

Relationship and Harmony Orientation

Hierarchy and Respect Orientation

Fact and Time Orientation

Directness in Communication

Thinking with Regard to Protection and Planning

Relationship and Harmony Orientation

Hierarchy and Respect Orientation

Fact and Time Orientation

Directness in Communication

Thinking with Regard to Protection and Planning

Relationship and Harmony Orientation

Hierarchy and Respect Orientation

Fact and Time Orientation

Directness in Communication

Thinking with Regard to Protection and Planning

Relationship and Harmony Orientation

Hierarchy and Respect Orientation

Fact and Time Orientation

Directness in Communication

Thinking with Regard to Protection and Planning

Finland

USA

Morocco

China

Now you have a certain impression of 5 different cultures - of their differences, but also of their similarities. But please note in this context that this is only a rough approach to the respective cultures - a first guideline, so to speak. Cultures are much more varied than this is reflected in these profiles. In addition, such profiles quickly seduce you to reinforce your own prejudices. However, when dealing with people from other cultures you should be on your guard against this. But more on this in the next module.

Module 5

Culture, Personality and Situation Thus you have now almost reached the end of this training program. Just in the last two modules you have learned how to approach a culture and - although in a greatly simplified way - to characterize it. However, classification according to cultural dimensions as demonstrated in Modules 4 and 5 must not lead to stereotyped thinking. Culture is not the only factor that influences Human behaviour. Although the culture to which a person belongs is a considerable influencing factor, it is by far not the only one. Everyday experience shows that in addition to culture also personality and the current situation play an important role in human behaviour (Cu-P-S). Therefore difficulties, conflicts, misunderstandings etc. should not be considered merely from the cultural aspect. In a specific situation all three aspects should be considered.

Task 1 In Annex 6 you find a small case study. At first each of you should read it separately, and then you should discuss the case. What would be the best explanation for the behaviour of the policeman? What influences (culture, person, situation) were possibly decisive? Summarize in brief two to three points from your discussion.

______________________________________________________ ___________________________ In order to make the Cu-P-S model tangible for real life, the following concept (see box on the right) was developed. In difficult situations it will provide assistance in dealing with people from other cultural environments in a more appropriate manner.

Culture

What influence do cultural values and norms have on behaviour?

Person:

What influence do personal qualities have on behaviour?

Situation:

What influence does the specific situation have on behaviour?

Concept for making the Cu-P-S model tangible: 1. Stop the automatic assessment process. 2. State precisely what confounds you: What is

it actually that confounds me? 3. Isolate other influencing factors: Are they

situational or individual? 4. Discuss your own expectations. 5. Reflect the standards of your own culture. 6. Search for possible standards of the foreign

culture.

© Leadership Development and Civic Education Center

Task 2 Finally go again through the case study and discuss it against the background of the SPATEN concept. Thank you very much for your committed participation.

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Module 6

Germany Men and Women In Germany the equality of opportunities for women required by the German Basic Law has improved further. To a large extent the traditional allocation of roles between the sexes has been broken up. One of the reasons for this is that more and more women are working. Family Life The forms of cohabitation have become considerably more varied. The freedom to choose between different types of family or even to do completely without a family has expanded. Religious Life The religious situation in Germany is characterized by increasing plurality. About two thirds of the Germans are members of one of the two large Christian denominations. There is a clear separation between state and religion: the latter is considered "private". Communication Habits German society is characterized by a variety of ways of life and life styles. Therefore there are only a few binding "do’s" and "dont’s" in communication. Openness and freedom of expression are generally considered important values. Attitude toward Time The Germans are generally considered punctual and rather time-oriented. Work and spare time are often clearly separated from each other, and both will be frequently carefully "planned". In the last couple of years the share of spare time has considerably increased. Thinking with Regard to Protection and Planning German culture is one of those cultures where thinking with regard to protection and planning is pretty pronounced. People want to consider at first everything thoroughly and have an "overview" before they decide for or against something. This applies to the professional, but also to the private sphere.

Annex 4 – Comparison of the Cultures of Different Countries

Annex 4 – Comparison of the Cultures of Different Countries

Finland Men and Women Compared to other countries, Finnish women are considered to have equal opportunities to a particular large extent. The percentage of women in leadership positions - in the economy as well as in politics - is larger than in other EU countries. Family Life Due to the rural character and the relatively cold climate during large parts of the year, family life and the living area play a large role for Finish families. For the most part families attach great importance to a neat and harmonically arranged home. Religious Life In Finland religiousness is of very private character. Mostly the respective church will be visited only on holidays. Finnish people practice their faith primarily in personal prayer. Communication Habits Finnish people are considered very friendly (towards visitors). There are no strict rules for communication. In the course of emancipation gestures of courtesy towards women (such as opening the door) have become unusual. It is often implied that Finnish people are taciturn - except in the sauna. On the whole, talking is honest and direct. Attitude toward Time In Finland punctuality is mostly taken pretty seriously. To be late is considered impolite. Finnish people - in particular men - define themselves strongly through their work, spending a lot of time on it. Thinking with Regard to Protection and Planning Similar to Germans, Finnish people are considered protection- and planning-oriented. However, this tendency appears to be somewhat less pronounced than in the German population. Nevertheless: living and working in protected and predictable circumstances is an important need for most Finnish people.

Annex 4 – Comparison of the Cultures of Different Countries

USA Men and Women The US are considered a country with distinctly masculine values (e.g. success). Even if today women are equal to men before the law, it is still felt that some tasks are more in line with the female character. Family Life The core family (father, mother, one or two children) is considered ideal. Contact with other, more distant relatives is less intensive. The core family is considered a refuge from society. Religious Life The country has the largest variety of religions worldwide. There is a high degree of tolerance towards other religions than Christianity. Atheism is unpopular und frequently equated with anti-Americanism; anyhow, people are supposed to believe in (some) god. Communication Habits Contact and relations tend to be informal and relaxed, even in business. People come into contact relatively quickly, but without wanting to enter a more intensive relationship. As a rule, Americans talk politely, but bluntly. Attitude toward Time The conceptions of time in the US go back to the Puritans: Simply doing something as a pastime is immoral and useless. It is valuable to decide and act quickly: Don't waste any time - "time is money". Thinking with Regard to Protection and Planning In general people in the US are considered quite open-minded about new ideas and unconventional solutions. Trying out new things more or less spontaneously, taking occasionally unusual paths etc. will not only be accepted, but also valued. The risks inherent in this are only of secondary interest. Mostly quick action takes precedence over lengthy planning.

Annex 4 – Comparison of the Cultures of Different Countries

Morocco Men and Women Although according to the constitution all citizens of Morocco are meant to be equal, the positions of women in comparison to men still cannot be considered equal - which is mainly to be attributed to the influence of Islam. Family Life The life of people is centered around the extended family, which is the most important social unit/institution - in particular in rural areas. The individual member of the family considers itself primarily as a part of the whole - "individuality" counts very little. Religious Life In Morocco the Islam is tangible everywhere. About 95 % of the population are Muslims. It pervades everyday life in Morocco and may also be considered to some extent as the unifying band in the mix of different peoples. Communication Habits Moroccans are considered sociable people who are also interested in foreigners. Talking to each other is part of the daily pastime. Not talking to each other is perceived as strange. Attitude toward Time In Morocco patience is a virtue and impatience will rather be disapproved. The conceptions of time that apply here are different from those in Western cultures. In Morocco you should not expect "German punctuality". Thinking with Regard to Protection and Planning In a country characterized by religious traditions such as Morocco, compliance with and adherence to standards (guidelines) as regards thinking and acting is of particular importance. In their life planning and way of life people are mostly guided by proven rules and customs. "Deviations" from the "right (protected) path" are frequently not wanted.

Annex 4 – Comparison of the Cultures of Different Countries

China Men and Women Over the last few decades, the legal status of women has improved. In large parts of the population, however, a longstanding tradition of "scant regard for the female element" continues to have an effect. Family Life Family obligations and care are of great importance - just as personal relationships (even beyond the family) are a key element. However, people who do not belong to the personal "network of relationships" are "outsiders". Hierarchical positions are emphasized quite clearly - not only in the family. Religious Life One trait of Chinese culture is its orientation towards "this life" - which is most pronounced in Confucianism. The desires of the Chinese are focused less on a "better life after death", but more on a long and happy life. Communication Habits Communication is harmony-oriented (quiet, guarded) and frequently ritualized. To "save face" plays an important role. Direct and "blunt" talk is considered impolite - and the "actual message" is indicated only indirectly. Attitude toward Time The conception of time is different from that in Western cultures. People devote more time to interpersonal relations. The correct conclusion, e.g. of negotiations, is more important than meeting a schedule. Thinking with Regard to Protection and Planning Chinese people are considered particularly adaptable and flexible in dealing with situations that are difficult to predict and unclear. Uncertainty in daily life is accepted as a normal fact - problems are tackled "pragmatically" (practically) when they are pending.

Annex 5 – Cultural Dimensions

Relationship and Harmony Orientation: This is the extent to which a culture attaches importance to intensive personal, if possible trustworthy relationships - even beyond one's own family. "To know someone personally" and "to be connected with each other" plays a role in almost all spheres of life. People who do not belong to the personal "network of relationships" are mostly ignored. This should be accompanied by harmonious coexistence and interaction. Disturbances of this harmony are not wanted. Hierarchy and Respect Orientation This is the extent to which particular respect and deference is displayed in a culture towards people of an higher social rank, authorities and elderly people - as regards welcome and goodbye and the right to speak (the "last word"). The focus is not on equality in social relations, but on the differences with regard to hierarchical position. In this context frequently also the term of power distance is used. In most cases this will become apparent in the following relationships: men and women, (grand)parents and children, superior and subordinates etc. Fact and Time Orientation This is the extent to which the communication in a culture is centered on pertinent topics. The shared conversation serves primarily to solve problems, meet challenges etc. and less to establish or deepen a personal relationship of trust. In most cases people rapidly "work through" one issue after the other, because "time is money". There is also a clear distinction between “small talk” (which is usually quite short) and factual topics. Directness in Communication This is the extent to which addressing topics, expectations, problems, mistakes or even criticism openly and directly is accepted and valued. People do not "beat around the bush". They come to the point quickly and say without further ado what they want. Thinking with Regard to Protection and Planning This is the extent to which a culture includes the tendency to avoid unclear situations and situations that are difficult to predict. By way of an appropriate thinking with regard to protection and planning, people try primarily to predict future threats and make them controllable. It is typical to rather avoid spontaneous actions and think about the situation first of all instead.

Annex 6 – The Dilemma

Report of a fellow soldier from Afghanistan: The Dilemma Yesterday we left for a patrol in a remote region in the north of Afghanistan. It is our task to find out if aid activities for the local people are required, and, if so, to identify the kind and scope of activities that can be provided by the Bundeswehr. Early in the afternoon we reach our first destination: a small village with about 250 inhabitants. As we enter the village, we see a policeman who leans on a big stick and kindly waves to us. We stop next to him, and our interpreter asks him the way to the house of the malik, as the head of the village is called here, to whom we want to talk. As soon as the patrol stops in the centre of the village, we are surrounded by a crowd of children who, shouting loud, obviously ask us for something, which I, however, do not understand. When the security team is in place, my entire team, accompanied by the patrol leader, proceeds to the malik who welcomes us kindly and invites us to a conversation on the porch of his house. Shortly after that, we sit on the floor of the porch, having a cup of sweet tea and exchanging initial courtesies. In the meantime, about 50 children have assembled between our guarded vehicle and the house of the malik, continuously shouting and yelling. Although I find this background noise annoying, it obviously does not spoil the course of the conversation, because the malik and my commander, Major Maier, keep calm and go on talking in a polite manner. The policeman who showed us the way approaches the crowd of children. With a strict expression on his face, he calls out something to the children, but they obviously do not obey him. Suddenly he raises his stick and several times beats the children. A little boy, about seven years old, cannot dodge the blow and is hit on the head. He falls, the laceration starts bleeding immediately. Instead of helping the boy, the policeman turns to the other children to drive them away with blows. I get into a rage. What is he thinking of, beating up children in this way. They have not done anything to him. What if he injures more children? Doesn’t he have any conscience? We are here to help the population, and the policeman as a representative of the local state authority uses force against defenseless individuals in such an unnecessary and excessive way? Why don’t even our security personnel intervene? This cannot be true! I want to leap to my feat and intervene, but my commander grabs me by the sleeve and whispers to me, without turning his eyes from his interlocutor: “Do keep seated! Everything else later …!” I am filled with consternation.