Photo Credit (Pixabay)
As summer arrives in full force, many of us look forward to travel and other vacation activities. Learning about other cultures and groups is, in my opinion, one of the most fascinating parts of travel. Exploring diverse cultures naturally conjures up visions of learning new languages, trying new foods, and maybe even driving on the opposite side of the road. However, culture is more than just external symbols.
A group of people’s entire way of life can be characterized as their culture, which is a broad notion. A culture is composed of larger pieces, such as social standards, communication styles, and recognized etiquette. When we think about it, we can all see how our lives and actions are influenced by both our individual experiences and the broader culture of society. For example, when traveling to one of the 48 states where it is required to pump your own gas, some of us might not be the best at it. Even if you’re traveling close to home, the cultural contrasts and variations can be daunting. Hopefully, cultural differences won’t seem as startling if we are conscious of and receptive to learning our own culture and how it interacts with other civilizations.
Fortunately, exploring cultural differences doesn’t involve travel or a vacation. You can broaden your cultural knowledge and experiences by interacting with local partners and organizations both at work and at home.