In this essay, we will provide some general information of the importance of taking into consideration the difference between different cultures in everyday life. We will dwell a little on the case of Singapore and how it can be compared with our experience at work or at the university. Also, our own example of the usage of this case will be provided and analyzed due to one of the given Core Cultural Dimensions.
Introduction
All nationalities differ. But still, they can live and interact together without any problems if only both nations will treat each other respectively. And it is quite important, in modern society, to be able to distinguish between things that are important for one nationality and strange for the other. We can take this issue either on the global measurement or on the local one.
If we take a global measurement as an example we will provide the case of Singapore with its cultural plurality. Singapore is presented by four independent cultures. The Major is Chinese than we will have Malay, Indian, and Eurasian. The main problem was to be able to save the cultural identity of all the representatives. Of course, such coexistence will cause a lot of tension but it depends on people and authorities to make all the possible to avoid it. Still. We cannot but mention that creating a multicultural society under central authority is kind of impossible. Even in Singapore they are failed to promote all the cultures in an equal way. So that is why we can see the predominance of Chinese culture.
We can apply the case of Singapore in the everyday experience. For example, when we are going to travel abroad or to any place where you are sure will be presented any other nationality you should prepare to this meeting. It will be correct to show that you acknowledge the difference between your own nationality and the other one. Also, it is possible to come across the same situation at the university or at work. When you have to meet foreigners you should be aware of the differences of the reception and conduct between your nationalities. The same case we will have with the university. If you’re a teacher it is of utmost importance to know what the peculiarities are of all the nations present in your class. It will help you to avoid unnecessary misconceptions or even offending.
The Core Cultural Dimensions
There are different theories which can be used in order to understand what the differences between various cultures are. With its help, you can understand precisely in what fields you should be aware of the change. Every theory has its own dimensions. Dimensions are the fields of difference. For example, in Kluckhohn and Strodtbecks’ we have dimensions that deal with relationships with nature, people, and time, human activities and human nature. All of these five dimensions have three different elements (e.g. elements of relationship with time are past, present, and future).
The other dimension is of Geert Hofstede who developed his model studying employees of different cultures who were working at one multicultural company. This theory has three dimensions like power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism or collectivism, masculinity or femininity, long-term and short-term orientation. All of these dimensions have two different elements for different nationalities. Causes for all the differences between different nationalities are religion and different beliefs, the level of development, historical background, etc. Also, we can observe some similarities between bordering countries. For example, Ukraine and Russia have similar rules of conduct during the meetings as well as practically the same rules of decorum. It can be explained with the close historical past and previous coexistence of the countries.
Practical application
During two week I had an opportunity to observe the working process of the one famous women magazine company. It was a group of probationers who were to prepare their own number. They were given two weeks to accomplish a task. Also, the topic was provided as well as all the information necessary.
There were 10 people in the group. The mean age of the group was 26 years. There were 4 men and 5 women. It was a multicultural group. There were two Americans, one Canadian, two Chinese, one Ukrainian, one Frenchman, one German, and two Africans from Angola. All of them were acquainted for several weeks.
During the process of work, we have an opportunity to take notice of such problems in the coexistence of different nationalities. The first issue they have to deal with was a distribution of power between group members. Some of the members believed that they do not need any leader (Americans and a Canadian) still a Frenchman decided that there obviously should be a leader. An Angola representative became a leader (their country share similar beliefs). So here we have the case of power distance. Such countries as America, Canada, and Ukraine has low power distance in contradistinction to China, France, and Angola who believe that there always should be authorities and subordinates.
As it was a group project we have mentioned that such countries’ representatives as America, Canada, Germany, and France had problems with group work because they used to rely on themselves more than on the others. And China, Ukraine, and Angola had no difficulty with working in the group so that was why they tried to help each other in every possible way. It is a case of individualism or collectivism and some cultures used to look only for themselves and the others are better in work as a group.
As it was a completion and there was an opponent group the group faced another divergence in views. Masculine part of the group became competitive and wanted to win the competition in either way and feminine part of the group was eager to do what they like in the way they will enjoy it. It is the case of masculinity or femininity in the dimension of Geert Hofstede’s theory. Due to this dimension, men are more concern with money and goal achieving and women concern about the quality of the product and well-being of others.
After two weeks of observing, we came to the conclusion that multicultural work is a very hard and exhausting process. It takes a lot of valuable time to deal with situations that arise from misunderstanding ground rules. Actually, it was not misunderstanding but misinterpreting of different standards of conduct in different countries.
We got to know that it is very important to be aware of which countries or nationalities you’re going to cooperate in order to accomplish a task successfully. Our team lost the competition because of their ignorance of other countries standards. Some of them work quicker and the others weren’t able to hold up to their pace. The others were too slow. If they had been aware of these peculiarities early they would have been able to deal with the point of time.
