Culture Differences All over the World - Coursework Example

Culture Differences Student’s Name College Culture Differences Introduction Culture Differences As a matter of fact, culture turns to be a term which is broadly misused and used today. Internet, newspapers, magazines, and televisions are everyday talking about diverse cultures. Several things are referred as cultures which are for sure minute parts of daily lives. Culture offers an interpretive structure which possesses effects of the entire decisions which are made by people throughout their lives. For this paper’s purpose, culture is defined as a shared, learned, complex human behaviour system. More often than not, users take culture for granted, and culture participants’ presume that the understandings, customs, habits and codes of their specific culture turn to be normal in relation to the manners of other member’s cultures. Actually, many people think that culture is an inheritable generational feature, but it is learned. Everybody belongs to a particular culture. In today’s world, owing to the rising needs and changes in lifestyle, people are moving in search of better living. As such, this world is composed of people of different cultures who must interact with each other to ensure survival. Therefore, as an engineer it is essential to bear in mind the cultural differences while working with individuals who seem to behave or think dissimilarly to what one does. In this scenario, this paper explains how professional engineers should work and relate with people from different cultures. How to Work and Relate with People from Different Cultures In point of fact as a professional engineer, the major important thing to bear in mind while performing work with individuals of diverse cultures turn to be that no superior or right culture is in existence (USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, 2005). In this case, one’s culture is no less and no more than the manner of interpreting the universe. In addition, everybody’s culture turns to be valid and thus, there is no better culture than the other. There are several approaches of working and relating with people from different cultures. First and foremost is looking for common ground (USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, 2005). While it is true that the entire cultures turn to be essentially diverse ways of looking the globe, usually there are common interests which might act as initial points for deliberation. Though a new customer might be another member’s culture, the customer’s interest might be in safety at work place. Her ideas about what make up safety, might be different from mine at first, but that common interest would turn to me as a professional engineer, a nice point of beginning discussions as well as the helpful process of learning. In some cases however, it might prove hard finding common ground especially if the other person’s culture turn to be completely dissimilar from the other person. In such cases as a professional engineer, it would be best to ensure that my colleague would understand my perspective (Axner, 2014). Our discussions for the purposes of ensuring that we understand each other would well be; deliberating things that would not be usual portion of daily operations, like cash economies and property rights. The second approach of relating and working with people of different cultures as an engineering professional would be becoming more self-aware (Axner, 2014). In this scenario, as a professional engineer, it would be essential to look back and scrutinise one’s behaviour. As such, looking back would help determine whether one is making worth judgment of other people’s attitudes and behaviours. Equally important as a professional engineer, it would be imperative for me to recollect that the colleague’s behaviour might be absolutely acceptable by her individual cultural standards whereas, being incorrect, offensive, wrong or bad to mine (Axner, 2014). Actually, working effectively with individuals of diverse cultures would demand learning from the entire people who would be involved in the situations. Additionally, it would be imperative for me to study as a professional engineer, some essential ideas and elucidate them. Furthermore, it would be mandatory for me to have an open mind to new interpretations and ideas. In point of fact, individuals from diverse cultures would likely be seeing things in a different way than others would do, and some of them would likely not be correct always. Still important, a professional engineer would require having knowledge of several ways within which his/her culture prejudices his/her points of view, and have a will of recognizing and working around time and again very stumbling, unconscious, subtle blocks. The other approach of working and relating with people of diverse culture would be being cautious of one’s assumptions (Livermore, 2010). As a matter of fact, one’s culture offers someone with several presumptions regarding the manner things ought to function. For instance, my culture offers me suitable behaviour that is used when I meet another person during my first moment. In this case, I assess the individual’s physical size, age, appearance, sex or a mixture of those things. My response and greeting to that individual turns to be delicately and entirely influenced by what my cultural presumes the suitable way of relating to the other individual. Therefore, by acknowledging more my presumptions which influence my behaviours as a professional engineer, I would be capable of slowly becoming better and capable of working with individuals of dissimilar ethnic and cultural backgrounds (Livermore, 2010). That awareness in point of fact, would allow me to work together with individuals from different cultures in a more understanding and in a manner that is not easily misinterpreted. The other way of working and relating with people from different cultures is developing a humour sensation. In reality, humour, which is commonly regarded as funny, frequently varies significantly between cultures (USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, 2005). As such, a professional engineer working with people from diverse cultures requires developing a chunkier skin. Frequently, uttered remarks in entirely good faith turn to be regarded as funny by individuals of one culture, or worse, horrible. In case such a situation happens, as a professional engineer, I would understand that perhaps no offensive intention was involved. Importantly, I would respond in a friendly manner whilst being careful of making fun of other individual’s culture for the purposes of furthering our relations. On the other hand, I would bear in mind that other individuals might be attempting to utilise humour for the purposes of breaking the cultural slot. In the cases where I would not understand I would enquire an explanation while taking my time trying to view it from my angle. That technique would frequently yield huge learning experiences and offer me an opportunity of lightening up. The other approach of working and relating with people from different cultures would be being tolerance (USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, 2005). In this scenario as a professional engineer, I would not immediately presume the meaning of certain body language types and actions. Actually, non-verbal, physical communication forms turns to be very vital and fine portion of ethnically dictated manners. For instance, in contemporary America, speaking audibly, clearly and frequently during meeting is regarded a symbol of a gregarious and effective person. Therefore, if something done would cause misunderstanding grounded on my cultural difference, I would be patient. If the situation would not resolve itself, I would ask my colleagues from the different culture the most suitable option to follow. Importantly, I would not presume that I would be capable of resolving the situation through additional one-sided action. If people from the other culture would be making fun of me, it would be a signal that that culture would be appreciating me, and our relationship would be improving. As a professional engineer, good humour, tolerance and patience are worthy tools to be possessing at my command while working cross-culturally and would help me move places. The other approach of relating and working with people of different cultures would be making a conscious resolution of establishing friendships with individuals from other cultures (Livermore, 2010). As a professional engineer, concerted effort of establishing friendships would be my paramount thing. In this case, establishing friendships would entail having regular interactions with people from different cultures. This would require dedicating enough time and being persistent with what I would be coming across. Importantly, I would not allow individuals who would attempt to discourage my decision. The other approach of working and relating with people from different cultures would be putting myself in situations that would make me meet individuals of different cultures (Axner, 2014). In this scenario as a professional engineer, I would be going to places where I would be meeting individuals of cultures different from mine. As an instance, I would be attending celebrations and meetings whose colleagues I would desire knowing. Individuals of different cultural groups would notice the moment I would take risk of attending their events. It would be hard for me to be the only person like myself attending thus; I would go with my friend for the purposes of supporting one another in establishing friendships. The other approach of working and relating with people from different cultures would be asking individuals questions about their cultures, views and customs (USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, 2005). As a matter of fact, people enjoy being asked questions regarding their cultures and lives. In this scenario as a professional engineer, I would ask my colleagues various questions like, how they greet others in the morning if they do. Similarly, I would also ask them the type of foods that they eat and the way they worship their God. The other approach of relating and working with people of different culture would be listening to them when telling stories. As a professional engineer, I would take my time listening to colleagues of different cultures in order to obtain a fuller image of what their lives looks – their nuances, richness, and feelings of their lives (Axner, 2014). Challenges Associated with Working in the Global Community with Reference to Cross-cultural Awareness Including Indigenous Communities As a matter of fact, there are multiple challenges of working in the global community with reference to culture as explained in this paper. First and foremost challenge turns to be varied communication skills (Kiss, 2005). The manner of communication among different people varies from one’s culture to the other. Language usage turns to be one feature of communication mode. In different cultures, some phrases and words are utilised in dissimilar ways. For instance, accent or pronunciation is an essential differentiation of Standard Australian English from Aboriginal English. Despite the fact that the used words possess similar meaning, a number of Aboriginal individuals tend to utter letters and words in a different way; there is the leaving out of letters, substituting and even overcompensating. Similarly, disparities between Aboriginal non-verbal aspects and those of different cultures offer extra range of misinterpretations (Aboriginal Reference Group, 2009). This is particularly so to Anglo-Celtic descent people who normally downplays the non-verbal communication. As such, for the professional engineer from a different culture, communicating with indigenous groups becomes a grave matter of concern. The other challenge is communication style element and the extent of importance offered on non-verbal communication. In this case, non-verbal communications consist of not only gestures and facial expressions but also comprise of seating arrangements, time sense and personal distance. For example, in certain cultures looking an individual directly inside the eye is presumed to signify straightforwardness and honesty like the US, while in other cultures; it is viewed as rude and aggressive like in South Asia. Additionally, different cultures concerning the suitable assertiveness degree within communicating increases cultural misunderstandings. Generally, working as an engineer in global community becomes a serious challenge when the communication styles are different. The other challenge is unlike attitudes in facing conflict (DuPraw & Axner, 2000). As a matter of fact, a few cultures see conflict to be a positive element while others regard it as an element that ought to be kept away from at all costs. For instance, the people of United States do not regard conflict as required, but people are frequently persuaded to tackle conflicts that surface. In reality, normally face-to-face meetings turn to be the recommended way of tackling whatever existing problems. On the contrary, in several Eastern nations, open conflict is viewed as demeaning or embarrassing; their rule is that differences ought to be dealt with quietly. Equally importantly, in various countries written exchanges turn to be favoured means of addressing conflicts. Thus, working as an engineer in a global community becomes a challenge in communities that see conflict as their positive element of dealing with issues at hand. The other challenge in working in a global community with reference to cross-cultures is varied decision-making styles (DuPraw & Axner, 2000). In point of fact, the roles played by individuals in decision-making differ between cultures. For instance, decisions in the United States are often handed over – that means, an official delegates duty for a specific issue to an assistant. On the other hand, in several Latin American and South European nations, a burly value is placed on an individual holding decision-making duties himself. However, in the United States, the moment individual groups’ makes decisions; majority rule turns to be the usual approach; whereas the preferred method in Japan turns to be consensus. A point to note is that the expectations of individuals in concern to their responsibilities at arriving at the final resolve might be propelled by their references’ cultural frame. Hence, their decision-making styles becomes a challenge to an engineer when working with people of different cultures as for instance, in Latin America it would be odd for an American engineer to do all the tasks without delegating some to his subordinates. The other challenge of working in the global community with reference to cross-cultures would be diverse attitudes toward disclosure (Kiss, 2005). In this scenario, a number of cultures do not regard it as suitable to be open about misunderstanding or conflict reasons, or about emotions, or about delicate information. This becomes a challenge to engineers because when dealing with conflicts, an engineer might not know what people of different cultures feel comfortable disclosing. Shockingly, questions which appear natural to a person of particular culture like, which role did you play in the conflict? – might appear intimidating to people of other cultures. Thus, the differences among cultures in attitudes toward unravelling ahead of concluding that they possess precise readings of the goals, experiences and opinions of the colleagues with whom they are working with remains a huge challenge to the engineers. The other challenge of working in a global community with reference to cross-cultural awareness is varied mechanisms to knowing (DuPraw & Axner, 2000). As a matter of fact, remarkable differences take place among cultural groups the moment epistemologies come into play- that means manners through which individuals come to be acquainted with things. Cultures of Europeans are inclined to regarding information obtained via cognitive means such as, measuring and counting more well-founded in comparison to other techniques acquainting with things. In comparison, African cultures prefer effective methods of knowing, comprising of rhythm and imagery. On the other hand, epistemologies of Asian cultures tend to stress the knowing validity toward transcendence (Kiss, 2005). Thus, an engineer working in a global community is faced with the challenge of diverse approaches of acquainting with things when evaluating a community crisis or when looking for ways of resolving it. The other challenge of working in a global community with reference to cross-cultural awareness is diverse approaches to finishing tasks. Actually, across different cultures, there are varied ways individuals move toward tasks completion. When the moment of effectively working together on a duty comes, cultures vary in relation to the significance put on setting up relationships previously on within the cooperation. As an instance, Hispanic and Asian cultures appear to append more worth to instituting associations at the shared project’s commencement and augmented emphasis on completion of task toward finishing in comparison to European-American (DuPraw & Axner, 2000). European-Americans appear to immediately focus on available task, and allow relationships build up as the task progresses. As such, all those cultural backgrounds from those countries pursue their value of relationships and task completion differently and none of them emphasises value relationship or task completion more than the other. Thus, engineers working in a global community are faced with the challenge of varied approaches to completion of tasks as different communities pursue their value relationships and tasks completion differently. Challenges I Faced in Producing the Required Information and How I overcame them As a matter of fact, in producing any required credible information there must be challenges which were no exception to this paper. First and foremost challenge that I faced was finding the pertinent and sources of information. In this case, I had to put many statements in the search tab in my computer in order to find the right information. After inserting statements, many options could surface where majority of them were not relevant to this topic. For me to overcome those challenges, I first studied the given options after searching in the internet and evaluated the most meaningful information. Additionally, I narrowed down the searching statements as well as I changed some words to bring different results. Furthermore, I looked for information from both allowed websites and books. Interestingly, evaluation was not easy as the required information was supposed to be logical, flowing and precise. The other challenge that I faced was paraphrasing the found information. In this regard, the found information could not be copied and pasted to my report as that would be regarded as plagiarised work. In addition, the found information required interpretation and evaluation as not all the information found was relevant. In order to overcome those challenges, I first read and understood the found information and wrote it in my own words as my Professor has taught me. In addition to this, I looked meaning for some words in the dictionary in order to be able to paraphrase the sentences well. The other challenge that I faced was incorporating information from various found sources. To overcome that challenge, I read and understood what I had written before then I proceeded to the sources and looked for other logical information. In addition to this, I could think logically which information to add and which to neglect. Lessons Learnt and My Recommendations The first lesson that I learnt is that different cultures have different ways of doing things. In this case, different people behave and live different lifestyles according to their different cultures. The other lesson that I have learnt is that despite having different cultures, people interact and share ideas and things without creating conflicts. This can be attributed to the fact that, engineers from different cultures are capable of working with people of different cultures from theirs. The other lesson learnt is that as long as an individual is capable of understanding what other individuals want, a human being can survive in all parts of the world where there is life. On the other hand, my first recommendation is that engineers should learn other people’s culture through various means like, reading, staying with people of different cultures, and asking questions among others. The other recommendation is that all organisations should teach their employees about different cultures irrespective of whether they are multiethnic or not. The other recommendation is that a culture program should be put in schools in order to allow the outgoing students to have an understanding of various cultures when they leave school. The other recommendation is that; engineers ought to do a lot of practice in writing while in school even when not purposely writing examinations in order to grasp efficient writing skills after school. Competencies Demonstrated Actually, the first competency demonstrated is communication. In this scenario, it is possible as an engineer to talk to people of different cultures without difficulties. This can be attributed to the fact that, interacting with people from different cultures requires talking with them which has been emphasised in this paper. The other competency demonstrated is writing. This can be evidenced by the fact that, this report has been presented through writing. The other competency demonstrated in this paper is computer skills. This can be demonstrated by the fact that this report has been gotten from the internet that requires an understanding of computer operations. Conclusion Actually, culture turns to be a complicated concept having several definitions. However, in simple terms, culture is a community or group through which individuals share ordinary experiences which form the manner individuals comprehend the universe. As such, culture comprise of groups that individuals are given birth to like, national origin, race or gender. Additionally, it also comprises of groups that individuals become portion of or join. As a matter of fact, it is essential to know how to work and relate with people from different cultures as an engineer. Actually, this requires looking for a common ground. Searching common ground simply means that there would be a clear understanding of people from different cultures. And through understanding one another, people would become friends and work together to achieve a common goal. Similarly, working and relating would require an individual being cautious with his/her assumptions. In this regard, individuals would not assume anything as bad or good without consulting the responsible person. On the other hand, working in the global community possesses many challenges that include communication, decision-making, and attitudes to conflicts among others. However, those challenges can be overcome if all people are willing to learn about different cultures. Learning of cultures can be done in institutions, workplaces or even at homes with friends. This report in general have created several lessons that can be learnt which includes, living and working well with people of different cultures. Among the core competencies that the report has highlighted include communication, writing, public relations, and computer skills among others. References Aboriginal Reference Group. (2009). Working with Aboriginal People and Communities. Retrieved 27th March 2015 from http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/docswr/_assets/main/documents/working_with_aboriginal.pdf Axner, M (2014). Building Relationships with People from Different Cultures. Retrieved 27th March 2015 from http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/culture/cultural-competence/building-relationships/main DuPraw, M, E., & Axner, M. (2000). Working on Common Cross-cultural Communication Challenges. Retrieved 27th March 2015 from http://www.pbs.org/ampu/crosscult.html Kiss, G. (2005). Managing Cross-Cultural Communication Challenges toward a More Perfect Union in an Age of Diversity. AARMS. 4(2). 215-223. Livermore, D (2010). Leading with Cultural Intelligence: The New Secret to Success. New York (N.Y): American Management Association. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. (2005). People Partnerships, and Communities. Retrieved 27th March 2015 from http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb1045571.pdf Read More

Though a new customer might be another member’s culture, the customer’s interest might be in safety at work place. Her ideas about what make up safety, might be different from mine at first, but that common interest would turn to me as a professional engineer, a nice point of beginning discussions as well as the helpful process of learning. In some cases however, it might prove hard finding common ground especially if the other person’s culture turn to be completely dissimilar from the other person.

In such cases as a professional engineer, it would be best to ensure that my colleague would understand my perspective (Axner, 2014). Our discussions for the purposes of ensuring that we understand each other would well be; deliberating things that would not be usual portion of daily operations, like cash economies and property rights. The second approach of relating and working with people of different cultures as an engineering professional would be becoming more self-aware (Axner, 2014).

In this scenario, as a professional engineer, it would be essential to look back and scrutinise one’s behaviour. As such, looking back would help determine whether one is making worth judgment of other people’s attitudes and behaviours. Equally important as a professional engineer, it would be imperative for me to recollect that the colleague’s behaviour might be absolutely acceptable by her individual cultural standards whereas, being incorrect, offensive, wrong or bad to mine (Axner, 2014).

Actually, working effectively with individuals of diverse cultures would demand learning from the entire people who would be involved in the situations. Additionally, it would be imperative for me to study as a professional engineer, some essential ideas and elucidate them. Furthermore, it would be mandatory for me to have an open mind to new interpretations and ideas. In point of fact, individuals from diverse cultures would likely be seeing things in a different way than others would do, and some of them would likely not be correct always.

Still important, a professional engineer would require having knowledge of several ways within which his/her culture prejudices his/her points of view, and have a will of recognizing and working around time and again very stumbling, unconscious, subtle blocks. The other approach of working and relating with people of diverse culture would be being cautious of one’s assumptions (Livermore, 2010). As a matter of fact, one’s culture offers someone with several presumptions regarding the manner things ought to function.

For instance, my culture offers me suitable behaviour that is used when I meet another person during my first moment. In this case, I assess the individual’s physical size, age, appearance, sex or a mixture of those things. My response and greeting to that individual turns to be delicately and entirely influenced by what my cultural presumes the suitable way of relating to the other individual. Therefore, by acknowledging more my presumptions which influence my behaviours as a professional engineer, I would be capable of slowly becoming better and capable of working with individuals of dissimilar ethnic and cultural backgrounds (Livermore, 2010).

That awareness in point of fact, would allow me to work together with individuals from different cultures in a more understanding and in a manner that is not easily misinterpreted. The other way of working and relating with people from different cultures is developing a humour sensation. In reality, humour, which is commonly regarded as funny, frequently varies significantly between cultures (USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, 2005). As such, a professional engineer working with people from diverse cultures requires developing a chunkier skin.

Frequently, uttered remarks in entirely good faith turn to be regarded as funny by individuals of one culture, or worse, horrible. In case such a situation happens, as a professional engineer, I would understand that perhaps no offensive intention was involved.

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