When Cultures Meet

When Cultures Meet

The possibility of committing a cultural taboo is high and can be an unintended consequence when two cultures meet. Communication that is solely based upon your own cultural view without regard of differing communication techniques can create conflict. For example in Japanese culture eye contact when communicating is limited whereas in American culture maintaining eye contact is a sign of active attention and communication. Using this example a problem could arise when the Japanese individual may feel discomfort with maintained eye contact while communicating with an American and an American may feel that the lack of eye contact signifies inattention to the conversation. In my nursing elective many of the chapters focus on cultural awareness as a necessity to providing respectful compassionate care for patients. Cultural awareness is something that an individual actively peruses and educates themselves in to allow for effective communication. I think although we can not know all cultural customs and taboos involved in communication we should at least be prepared when we are knowingly going to encounter someone from a different culture. The websites assigned for this assignment discuss the need for responsible traveling where as travelers it is our responsibility to act in culturally respectful ways, and participate as well as give back to host communities. Several years ago I was asked to serve Awa to a group of Tongan men. I unfortunately entered the situation with my cultural blinders on and did not foresee any potential taboos that I would encounter. I did not speak the language nor did I know anything about the culture. Halfway through serving I was informed (by one of the few English speakers in attendance) that the way I was sitting was considered to be very disrespectful. I hurriedly changed my position and felt terribly ignorant that I had not earlier inquired about the proper procedures of serving Awa. For effective communication and to avoid cultural taboos it is necessary to seek a cultural awareness that there is many different ways of communicating and that effective communication incorporates the knowledge of cultural differences.