Learn a new culture | Julien S. Bourrelle | TEDxArendal

Summary

The speaker, often called a rocket scientist, shares his experiences living in different cultures and the importance of understanding cultural nuances. From greetings in Spain to personal space in China, he highlights the outer and inner aspects of culture, including rituals and norms. He uses the metaphor of fruits to explain cultural differences, such as the warm 'peach' culture versus the reserved 'coconut' culture, emphasizing the need to adapt and observe to bridge cultural gaps. The talk concludes with a call to challenge personal biases and perspectives to foster multicultural harmony.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Cultural differences are evident in greetings and interactions, which can be a significant adjustment when moving to a new environment.
• 👋 The speaker's experience in Spain highlighted the warm and welcoming nature of greetings, contrasting with the more pragmatic approach in Norway.
• 🌐 Born in a French-speaking part of Canada, the speaker emphasizes the importance of cultural rituals, such as saying goodbye to everyone at an event, which can be perceived as strange in Scandinavian culture.
• 🚀 The speaker's background in Astrodynamic, a subfield of mechanical engineering, has unexpectedly equipped them with insights into cultural dynamics through their travels and studies.
• 🌏 Living in five different countries and learning four new languages has shaped the speaker's understanding of how to adapt behaviors to communicate effectively across cultures.
• 🤝 An anecdote from Sichuan, China, illustrates the importance of adapting to local customs and personal space norms, even if it initially feels uncomfortable.
• 💡 Culture is described as 'mental programming' that dictates behaviors, norms, and expectations, which vary across different societies and subcultures.
• 🎉 The story of a multicultural wedding in Switzerland demonstrates how finding common ground, like music and celebration, can bridge cultural gaps.
• 😀 Emotions are expressed differently across cultures, with some being more overt and others more subtle, impacting how individuals interpret each other's feelings.
• 🍑 The 'peach culture' metaphor represents societies where people are outwardly warm and welcoming, in contrast to the 'coconut culture' which appears tough on the outside but rewarding once trust is built.
• 🏆 The concept of 'equality of opportunity' has different interpretations across cultures, affecting how resources and support are allocated, and understanding these differences is crucial for effective cross-cultural communication.

Q & A

What is the cultural difference the speaker experienced when he moved from Spain to Norway?

In Spain, when entering a shop, everyone greets and responds to greetings warmly, creating a welcoming atmosphere. However, in Norway, greetings are more pragmatic and purposeful, and people are not expected to start a conversation or ask questions when greeted.

How does the speaker describe the cultural rituals and norms in a French-speaking part of Canada?

In the French-speaking part of Canada, it is customary to go around and say goodbye to everyone individually by shaking hands with men and kissing women when leaving an event or party. Not doing so might make one feel uneducated.

What is the speaker's educational background and how does it relate to culture?

The speaker studied Astrodynamics, a subfield of mechanical engineering, which is different from culture and social anthropology. However, through living in different countries and learning new languages, he gained insights into cultural behaviors and communication.

What is the speaker's current role in helping people communicate across cultures?

The speaker helps people understand and adapt to the behaviors and communication styles of different cultures. He aims to make people feel comfortable in unfamiliar cultural situations and to bridge cultural gaps.

Can you describe the experience the speaker had on a bus in Sichuan, China?

The speaker offered his seat to an older woman on a bus in Sichuan, China. When she declined, he followed European etiquette by sitting silently. However, she ended up sitting on him, pulling his hair, and laughing, which was an unusual and uncomfortable experience for him but was seen as normal and funny by the locals.

What is the concept of 'outer shelf' and 'inner shelf' of culture as mentioned by the speaker?

The 'outer shelf' of culture refers to visible aspects such as nonverbal and verbal behaviors, while the 'inner shelf' pertains to deeper understanding, the logic of socialization, and how cultures interact with each other.

How did the speaker describe the cultural differences at a Swiss-German and Lebanese wedding?

At the wedding, the Swiss-German family was quiet and well-behaved, while the Lebanese family was emotional and lively. The cultural tension was evident, but eventually, music and shared enjoyment brought both families together, leading to a harmonious celebration.

What is the significance of the speaker's use of fruits to represent different cultural extremes?

The speaker uses fruits to illustrate the concept of 'warm' and 'coconut' cultures. The peach represents warm cultures that are welcoming and open, while the coconut represents cultures that may seem distant initially but are rewarding once trust is built.

How does the speaker define 'equality of opportunity' and its cultural variations?

Equality of opportunity can mean providing the same resources to everyone, regardless of their potential, or it can mean helping those who are struggling so that they have the same chance to succeed as those who are strong. The interpretation of equality varies significantly across different cultures.

What is the speaker's advice for individuals navigating different cultures?

The speaker advises individuals to challenge themselves to see the world from the perspective of others, to be aware of their own biases and expectations, and to adapt their behaviors to fit into different cultural contexts.

What is the main message the speaker wants to convey about multicultural societies and generations?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding, respecting, and adapting to different cultural norms and values. By doing so, societies and generations can overcome challenges and work well together in a multicultural environment.