How Culture Drives Behaviours | Julien S. Bourrelle | TEDxTrondheim

Summary

In this insightful talk, the speaker reflects on cultural adaptation and diversity, highlighting the importance of understanding and embracing different social behaviors. From personal anecdotes to the impact of cultural lenses on perception, the speaker emphasizes the need for open-mindedness when encountering unfamiliar customs. The talk concludes with a call to action for small steps towards a world that truly benefits from cultural diversity.

Takeaways

• 😊 The speaker discusses the cultural differences between Norway and other countries, particularly regarding social interactions.
• 🤔 The realization of becoming Norwegian is highlighted through an anecdote about a stranger approaching the speaker in Brussels.
• 🌍 The speaker explains the three ways to relate to a new culture: confront, complain, or conform, with conforming being the most beneficial.
• 👓 Cultural glasses are described as the lens through which we see and interpret the world, affecting our perception and interactions.
• 👩‍💼 An example is given of gender-based educational restrictions in Norway aimed at promoting equality of results over equality of opportunity.
• 🔍 The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding and adapting to cultural differences to benefit from diversity.
• 💬 Misunderstandings due to cultural differences in emotional expression and personal space are discussed, using examples from various cultures.
• 👫 Differences in the concept of friendship and politeness between individualistic and collectivist cultures are explored.
• 🚌 The Norwegian concept of personal space, illustrated with a bus stop example, shows how cultural norms affect behavior.
• 🚀 The benefits of cultural diversity in enhancing problem-solving, creativity, and innovation are highlighted, along with the importance of effective communication.

Q & A

What cultural differences did Julian notice when he interacted with a stranger in Brussels?

Julian noticed that in Norway, people do not typically engage in spontaneous conversations with strangers, which contrasts with the more open and social behavior he observed in Brussels.

How did Julian describe the process of adapting to a new culture?

Julian explained that when moving to a new country, one can either confront, complain, or conform to the local culture. Conforming involves observing, learning, and adapting behaviors to fit the new society.

What example did Julian give to illustrate cultural differences in emotional feedback?

Julian recounted a visit to Catalonia with a friend, where a guide misinterpreted his friend's neutral facial expression as disinterest, highlighting how emotional feedback is viewed differently across cultures.

What was Julian's experience when he tried to enroll in a leadership class for women?

Julian was denied enrollment in a leadership class for women because of his gender, which he had never experienced before. The university offered this class exclusively to women to promote gender balance in professorship positions.

How does cultural diversity impact the performance of boards, according to studies mentioned by Julian?

Studies cited by Julian indicate that boards composed of different cultures perform 35% better, and boards with both genders perform 15% better than those with less diversity.

What project did Julian create to help connect people of different cultures in Norway?

Julian created a project featuring simple, humoristic drawings to explain cultural differences, which he shared via a Facebook page and a free website. The project reached over a million people.

How do different cultural upbringings affect the concept of friendship?

In cultures where group interdependence is emphasized, friendships are close and symbiotic. In contrast, Western cultures often raise children to be independent, leading to more distant friendships.

What is the 'dance' Julian describes that occurs between people from different cultures?

Julian describes a 'dance' where a South American and a North European, comfortable with different personal spaces, continuously adjust their positions during a conversation, reflecting their discomfort and cultural differences.

Why might politeness vary significantly across cultures?

Politeness is culturally relative, with some societies having strict social codes and specific ways of speaking, while others may prioritize not disturbing others and maintaining physical and social space.

What is the key takeaway Julian emphasizes about cultural glasses and diversity?

Julian stresses that everyone views the world through cultural glasses, affecting perception. By understanding and adjusting these lenses, people can better communicate and benefit from cultural diversity.