Understanding and Honoring Cultural Differences
As the United States deals with other countries in matters of trade, peace-conflict, environment, and/or any of the other hundreds of issues we may have to discuss, I believe that it’s important for us to take a learned look at the culture, customs, values, and potential mindsets of each of the other countries we’re dealing with. Without that learned approach, we can unintentionally sabotage our opportunities for success in whatever issue we’re currently dealing with.
I thought about this recently when people reacted negatively to President Obama bowing in greeting to Emperor Akihito from Japan. I believe that the negative reaction President Obama received was from Americans who understood what the action meant in their culture, based on their upbringing. In the Japanese culture, however, the bow (or lack thereof) may mean something far different. I am reluctant to pass any judgement on that bow, since I understand that I am not well versed in Japanese customs or culture, nor am I well versed in diplomatic protocols. I do, however, understand that the bow may have been a component of achieving a mutually satisfying exchange of ideas, informal agreements, etc.
From my perspective, a bow may simply have been a respectful greeting, honoring the humanity of the person being greeted in a manner most appealing to the person being greeted. From my perspective, it did not signify American subservience to Japan, nor did it signify any weakness of America. I don’t believe the bow in any way weakened our position to negotiate or discuss our relative positions. In fact, I think President Obama may have strengthened our negotiating hand by greeting the Emperor in a manner meaningful to his traditions.
This is similar to how I hope to greet you, should I ever have that opportunity. I hope that I have the knowledge and grace to greet you in a manner that is pleasing to you. With that greeting, I intend to honor your humanity. After the greeting, we can go to work to discuss anything that is of importance – including those areas where we may strongly disagree.
In a recent TED presentation, Devdutt Pattanaik presented a far clearer picture of how this works than I can do here. His 19 minute presentation discussed the difference between the Western and Eastern culture, religions, traditions, and resulting mindsets. In a world hungry for conflict resolution, I think it is a video worth watching. Just click on the link that follows.
Something to think about…..
Make a difference in someone’s life – An example
Making a positive difference in the life of another(s) is arguably the most important thing we can do while on this planet. This video provides an example of how one person can do just that, with just a bit of love and perseverance. To me, it’s an example of leading a meaningful life. Enjoy.
My life is my message - Mahatma Ghandi
Something to think about…..
The Measure of a Person, Government, and Society
Balance, from my point of view, is essential for a healthy life. As I learned in my early life, too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Or, to put it in other terms – Any strength, overused, becomes a weakness. To be healthy in my life, I believe that there are times and events in life that call for tough decisive action; times and events that require patience, exactness and precision; times and events that call on my ability to relate effectively and compassionately to others on a one to one basis; and times that call on my ability to address and interact with groups of people effectively. To the extent that I am unable to be effective at any of those skills, I will be ineffective in some life situations. To the extent that I overuse one of those skills to the detriment of another, I am ineffective. I value someone who respects me enough to take the time and energy to present me with a balanced view of any given situation. Read more »
About
I decided to put this page together at the urging of friends. Several of them were encouraging me to do this, as they were sure that my words were needed to help counteract all of the negativity out there. I’m not a pollyanna. I understand the problems of the world. I also understand that most of our problems are of our own making, and that the only way for any of us to solve our problems is to start exactly where we are, and solve what we can. We made the problems. We can solve them.
I know we cannot improve our lives by being negative. I know we cannot create what we want by fighting what we don’t want. It just doesn’t work that way, though the nightly news is full of people who are determined to do so using just that method. The only way out is to find a path of cooperation, Love, and compassion. This Blog is written so we can find a way to do just that. I hope you join me.
Mark
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