What is the meaning of cultural sensitivity?

In the past few months, the United States has experienced a dramatic increase in hate crimes being reported. The Southern Poverty Law Center’s monitoring group has reported a disturbing rise in the number of hate groups operating within the country, reporting a total of 917 as of this story’s publication.

To say that the Discover Corps team finds this to be an incredibly disturbing trend is an understatement. We are thoroughly disgusted by recently reported events such as the vandalism and destruction of headstones at Jewish cemeteries across the country, hateful rhetoric and violence aimed at Muslim Americans, and way too many other instances of intolerance.

In the first three months following President Trump’s election, the SPLC recorded a whopping 1,372 bias incidents. Of that total, more than 25 percent were motivated by anti-immigrant sentiments.

In short, 2017 is turning out to be a challenging year for many Americans. Even simple, rational beliefs about equality and basic human rights have become increasingly politically charged. Here at Discover Corps, we believe that makes culturally immersive travel more important than ever.

We’re proud to be facilitating experiences that open the hearts and minds of travelers to new experiences and cultures around the world. We’re especially aware of the increased importance of promoting cultural sensitivity and awareness through all aspects of our work.

These values are paramount to assuring that citizens of our increasingly globalized planet are able to understand and respect one another. And embracing them is the only way to ensure that we’ll be able to come together as people to ensure that our future holds more peace and promise than our past.

What is Cultural Sensitivity?

The idea behind cultural sensitivity is very straightforward. Cultural sensitivity refers to a set of skills that allows you to learn about and understand people whose cultural background is not the same as yours.

But what does that really mean? Essentially, it means that, as you go about your daily life, you operate with the awareness that cultural differences between yourself and the people you meet exist without assigning them a value. You see our differences as a positive thing, and don’t consider one culture better or worse, right or wrong.

Of course, this is often easier said than done. With increasingly diverse populations living together in the same communities, it’s not always possible to intimately understand the backgrounds of those we’re interacting with.

But having cultural sensitivity doesn’t mean that you must be an expert in each culture’s values. It simply means that you’re willing to ask honest questions, seek understanding, and demonstrate empathy rather than judging those around you. It also means that, when you knowingly enter a space in which there will be cultural differences at play, you do a bit of homework beforehand and avoid knee-jerk reactions or jumping to conclusions.

Why is Cultural Sensitivity Important?

Having cultural sensitivity is important when you travel, of course. You want to demonstrate respect and appreciation for the culture of the people in the place you’re visiting. This helps grow your understanding of your new surroundings, and makes your time spent there more meaningful.

But cultural sensitivity is just as important when you’re at home. It’s so important, in fact, that the concept has become increasingly relevant both in the workplace and for major business branding strategies.

Large corporations now include cultural sensitivity training in their employee on-boarding process. Many publishers hire teams to review content for various cultural interpretations prior to release. Even major retail brands such as Nike have begun to produce/promote products that are inclusive of an increasingly diverse customer base’s needs. Check out their awesome new Pro Hijab as an example.

The most important thing when it comes to acting in a culturally sensitive way is that you remember to ground each interaction you have with others in the understanding that their background, experiences, and values naturally vary from your own. This will help you to lead with understanding and empathy, rather than judgment, which is an incredibly important shift.

How Can Travel Increase Cultural Sensitivity?

To quote Ralph Waldo Emerson, “The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions.” Traveling is an excellent way to practice cultural awareness and grow your experience with world views that are different from your own. This is particularly important in 2017, when a lack of cultural sensitivity is leading to growing displays of intolerance, both here in the U.S. and abroad.

The adventure of being in a new place, surrounded by people who in many cases have had vastly different life experiences from your own, is an undeniably special one. It opens your mind and heart to those who you may not previously have shared an understanding with. This cross-cultural exchange is among the most beautiful, complex, and exciting aspects of traveling in areas you’ve never been to.

It’s also a skill-set that is being increasingly fostered in our earlier, formative years. Gaining an insight into the cultures of others is an important step toward developing cultural sensitivity and awareness.  More and more schools are utilizing travel experiences to formally instill these values in their students.

This is exciting news, because it will lead to the next generation of global citizens being more culturally sensitive, aware, and understanding in their interactions with others. We can only hope that the distrust and skepticism currently being aimed at minority ethnic groups will be replaced with respect and acceptance.

For our part, each of Discover Corps’ Vacations with Purpose is designed to connect travelers with meaningful components of the host community’s cultural makeup. They’re led by locals who are excited to share their own stories and experiences in the name of building cross-cultural understanding.

With nearly 20 trips to choose from, we’ve got an itinerary to spark an interest in almost everyone. Because we believe that open-minded travelers of all ages, backgrounds, and belief systems will be the people who ultimately help change our world for the better.  –Sara McDaniel

BIO: Sara McDaniel is a San Diego-based educator who uses her summers to explore the world, often alongside her students! In addition to writing for The Volunteer Traveler, she has directed international programming for various travel organizations. When she’s not writing or researching, she can often be found swimming in the ocean, eating all of the delicious foods she can find, and teaching in San Diego State University’s College of Education.

As a manager or employee, when you travel to another country for your job, adapting to a new culture can be quite intimidating. The same can be said when you need to collaborate with diverse team members in your own country.

The global business environment is quickly blurring the lines between home and foreign work assignments, but the cultural gaps are often a struggle in either case. Cultural sensitivity helps ease the adjustment.

Cultural sensitivity means that you are aware and accepting of cultural differences. It implies that you withhold judgment of cross-cultural practices, and that you can deal effectively with these differences.

Cultural sensitivity is integral in any cross-cultural relationship. But it is critical in international working relations, such as in business or government jobs. For example, some studies show that workers at all levels are more effective and are more competent at negotiation when they are culturally sensitive.

At a more basic level, understanding the nuances of a culture that are reflected in body language, speech patterns, and customs allow the worker to better understand and communicate with coworkers, business partners, affiliates, and customers.

A handshake, for instance, is acceptable, even expected in western culture. However, in Thailand it is not. Instead, a wai is offered, a bow with the hands palm to palm at chest level and you should return it. You should offer a handshake only if the person does not offer a wai.

While the importance of cultural sensitivity in the workplace is widely recognized, there is not a great deal of research that examines the development and progression of cultural sensitivity.

Jon Shapiro, Julie Ozanne, and Bige Saatcioglu conducted a study that explores stages of development of cultural sensitivity, with an emphasis on their application to business people working overseas. The results apply as well to situations involving employees with diverse backgrounds working together within their home country. Shapiro and colleagues published their paper, “An Interpretive Examination of the Development of Cultural Sensitivity in International Business” in the Journal of International Business Studies.

Their investigation turned up four stages of cultural sensitivity development: the romantic sojourner, the foreign worker, the skilled worker, and the partner. The researchers describe these stages in terms of natural development based on experience. Well structured cross-cultural training could potentially lead to quicker progression along the developmental path.

The Romantic Sojourner: A stranger in a strange land

At this stage of cultural sensitivity, the business professional is a tourist. They are caught up in the romance and adventure of exploring a different culture. They are more a cultural spectator than an actual participant.

They may be excited for the opportunity to experience another culture. What they don’t realize is that they are often seeing that culture’s “tourist manners” and not really seeing into the depths of the culture all that much.

The romantic sojourner will take part in the local cultural events, such as festivals and parades, but that is typically the extent of their interaction with the members of the host culture. It is the primary interaction with little more. It may look and feel like immersion, but it is very superficial, especially when it comes to the professional working culture.

It is much like a love affair. At first, they are infatuated, riding the waves of a new romance with new experiences. But everyone has on their best manners and they don’t really know each other on a deep, personal level. It is all just skimming the surface and they are treating it more like an escape or vacation than a home situation where they are immersed in the culture.

In the romantic sojourner’s eyes, everything is glittering and magical. It is not realistic, and it sets them up for some serious disillusionment. They have an idealized view of the culture and are enamored with that, but have not yet become acquainted with the aspects of it that tend to be concealed from outsiders.

The Foreign Worker: The business side of things

The emotional, naïve romantic sojourner eventually gives way to the foreign worker. At this stage of cultural sensitivity, the individual has a more realistic view of the host culture norms. As the immersion develops into something deeper, beyond the shallow infatuation, they get their first real taste of the local cultural norms.

This stage develops when the individual stops being a starry-eyed tourist and engages in the everyday business of their work and living. They observe their environment, both on a professional and personal level, and place themselves in that culture. Then, they begin to see the deeper layers that they didn’t or couldn’t see as a tourist.

During this stage, the worker starts out as an observer, but, over time, grows and develops into an active participant. They begin to join in the more authentic cultural ceremonies and rituals, adapting to them as a way of life.

The individual’s business colleagues who are native to the local culture, begin inviting the foreign worker to participate and attend them. This is one of the benchmarks of the foreign worker’s advancement from the romantic sojourner stage.

The more the foreign worker is immersed in the local culture, the more realistic a view the develop of that culture. They develop knowledge of cultural practices that are more sophisticated.

They learn to take part in authentic local social behaviors although at this point it is more about mimicry than true immersion. They may role play or pretend at this stage, but even that is an integral step in the development of cultural sensitivity.

At this point the foreign worker is often hit with the reality that they are, indeed, an outsider. Culture shock and disenchantment may set in, but they also get a more realistic view and attitude. As they are immersed in the business culture, they naturally get deeper into the social culture as well.

The Skilled Worker: The knowledgeable foreigner

Foreign workers who are able to stick it out and make the initial cultural adjustment develop into skilled workers. When they reach this cultural sensitivity stage, they have attained a much deeper understanding of the host culture. They also have more cultivated interactions with their business associates.

The attitude has changed and instead of just trying to be diplomatic on the surface, they are genuinely concerned with preserving the relationships with members of the local culture.

While still feeling a bit like a fish out of water, the skilled worker becomes a cautious politician at this stage. They work hard to blend in with the social practices and customs that are consistent with the culture. Interacting with members of the local culture is becoming second nature on both the business and personal fronts.

They are very keen observers at this stage of cultural sensitivity. The skilled workers scan their environment and mimic behaviors that allow them to blend in. They reduce or control unacceptable behaviors that would cause them to stand out. They are much more skilled at acting and role playing.

It is also interesting to note that at this stage they tend to limit their business relationships to something that is personally manageable. This helps them foster more meaningful, successful relationships. They begin to depend on the local members who are business associates instead of turning to agents of their own culture.

As the skilled worker socializes with the members of the local culture, they develop relationships that are comfortable and intimate. As time goes on, they begin to have a more realistic understanding of the host culture. They begin to appreciate it.

Although at some level they realize that they are outsiders and always will be to some degree, they settle into their role within the culture and enjoy what they do glean from it.

The Partner: At home in a new culture

Not all workers achieve the partner stage of cultural sensitivity. It requires patience, perseverance, and work. It is at this stage that the worker is at their most sensitive to cultural distinctions. They have negotiated a business culture that is rooted in relational trust.

Partners share knowledge and intimately understand nuances of the culture, finding common ground where possible. However, they put away any desires to be an insider of the local culture.

At this stage of cultural sensitivity, the person is not forgetting or denying their own culture. They are not putting their own background aside. Rather many find a deeper appreciation for their own culture and come to have a greater understanding of it. They notice and welcome elements of their own culture that they once took for granted.

This new, settled attitude allows the partner to more fully appreciate business and personal relationships. The partner is deeply immersed in the local culture, but is balanced and content with their role.

The “cultural sensitivity” journey is long and challenging, but can be very rewarding. Early on, cultural misunderstandings are bound to happen. As an individual becomes more familiar with and immersed in another culture, those bumps become fewer and fewer.

Coming to grips with another culture is like developing any other relationship that builds trust, little by little. It settles in a comfortable peace that isn’t perfect but doesn’t have to be. The individual identifies, adapts, and embraces their own role in the local culture, fitting in as they can.

Image Credit: johnhain

Shapiro, J. M., Ozanne, J. L., & Saatcioglu, B. (2008). An interpretive examination of the development of cultural sensitivity in international business. Journal of International Business Studies, 39, 71-87.