Often, humans are so focused on their personal understanding, self-confidence, and habits that it is difficult to accept the fact that this world is not only filled with people who are similar to them. You certainly know that having a narrow mindset and intolerant attitude will not benefit anyone, especially since open-mindedness can actually enrich your knowledge! If you want to learn to appreciate a different culture more, try to enrich your experience and be open to learning new things. Check out this article for the full tip!
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Method 1 of 3: Increasing Knowledge
Step 1. Practice your self-awareness
One powerful way to increase your understanding and appreciation of different cultures is to take the time to reflect on your beliefs. Remember, every human being has a “filter” that will inevitably affect the way they see the world around them.
- Your filter describes the way you view the world and everything in it. In fact, there are many factors that can influence this mindset and point of view.
- Some of the factors that can influence your mindset (or filter) are your ethnic background, religion, and age. Two other factors that also have the potential to affect your filter are your income level and education.
- Take some time to reflect on your filter. For example, ask questions such as, "How does my income level affect the way I view other people?" or "Is this way of thinking influenced by my religion?"
- Practicing self-awareness will open your eyes to new things in your own culture. As a result, afterwards you will more easily appreciate the cultural differences that are around you.
Step 2. Read as many books as possible
Humans will definitely have a hard time appreciating something they are not familiar with. do you agree? For that, try to enrich your understanding of different cultures by doing simple research; for example, by reading books and articles related to culture that interest you.
- If you are interested in the culture of Japanese society, try reading books that cover topics related to the history of the country. An in-depth knowledge of the history of a culture can help you understand the culture in question better.
- Prefer to read fiction? Don't hesitate to do it! Reading works of fiction that highlight different cultures is also effective in improving your understanding of those cultures.
- Check out Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" for interesting stories about life in Nigeria. If you want to read more popular works, try reading the book "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert to learn about the culture of the Italian, Indian and Indonesian people.
- Ask your librarian or bookstore clerk for recommendations on fiction and nonfiction that you should read.
Step 3. Enrich your knowledge about religion
Religion is an important element of culture in many countries. Therefore, studying a different religion will definitely improve your understanding of foreign cultures!
- Attend various forms of worship. If you're a Catholic, chances are you've only ever worshiped in a Catholic way, right?
- Visit various places of worship or religious sites. For example, try visiting the nearest synagogue, church, temple, or mosque.
- Before that, make sure you are allowed to participate in these religious activities. Also ask if there are any rules regarding behavior or dress code that you must obey.
- Do some simple research. Don't be lazy to read books and media articles that raise topics related to other religions. For example, it's important that you read other people's opinions about their experiences as a Buddhist.
Step 4. Take formal education to enrich your understanding
Enriching cultural knowledge through formal education is a very powerful way to increase your appreciation. For example, you can study Russian Literature majoring in your understanding of Russian culture.
- Generally, high schools or universities also open classes that teach the history of cultures and religions of other nations. In fact, some universities open online classes for those of you who have limited time.
- Invite your friends to take the same class. Trust me, learning something will be more fun if you do it with other people!
Step 5. Interact with new people
Take time to interact with people from different cultures! Meeting new people and/or establishing in-depth communication with someone from a different culture can broaden your understanding of other cultures. As a result, your sense of appreciation will be even more nurtured!
- Position yourself in an environment rich in cultural variety. If you are in college, do not hesitate to attend entertainment events or seminars that can raise your multicultural awareness.
- Don't be lazy to make new friends! Join a sports club or take the time to visit another city that carries a different culture.
- Take time to communicate with other people. Be willing to listen to their stories to immerse yourself more deeply with their culture.
Method 2 of 3: Respecting Other Cultures
Step 1. Make friends with different cultures
One powerful way to build respect is to make “friends” or bonds with different cultures. In other words, identify yourself as someone who values cultural autonomy and has no qualms about protecting the rights of people from different cultures. Apply these principles in your school, work, and community.
- Generally, people from minority cultures are more vulnerable to discrimination. Show that you will not tolerate discrimination of any kind!
- For example, if one of your coworkers makes a rude or racist joke, try saying, "Bob, I know you're joking, but comments like that can hurt other people, you know."
- Protect the rights of others in your neighborhood. For example, if your city government tries to block the construction of a mosque, feel free to attend a community meeting and voice your objections.
Step 2. Correct the misunderstanding
Most likely, you grew up with some misconceptions or inappropriate presuppositions about people from other cultures. For example, you may think that Indians are less than honest. In fact, you will find it difficult to get comprehensive answers when you ask an Indian person a direct question.
- Why is that? Understand that in Indian culture, it is very common and polite not to give a clear and comprehensive answer to a question. Therefore, take the time to observe their interaction patterns so you can understand where the cultural differences lie.
- Most British people think Americans are fake, mainly because most Americans have much higher optimism than people from other cultures.
- When talking to English people, try to be as sincere and humble as possible. Only in this way, you and them can learn from each other's culture with an open mind.
- If religious or cultural differences make you hesitant to interact with women who wear the hijab, try breaking those boundaries! From now on, don't hesitate to approach them and ask, "Excuse me, is this seat empty?"
Step 3. Ask questions
The best way to learn about different cultures is to ask questions. In other words, don't be afraid to ask questions about other people's cultures or beliefs! However, always remember that these topics are personal so at the very least, make sure you ask politely and don't cross the line.
- If one of your coworkers always brings lunch with a unique menu to the office, try asking, “Hey, what are you eating anyway? Smells good!"
- If another coworker of yours is always late for work, instead of accusing him of being lazy, try asking why he's late. Maybe he always came late because he had to worship first.
- If you have friends from Japan, try asking questions about the country's culture of bowing. Most likely, he will not hesitate to explain it to you!
Step 4. Have an open mindset
Don't harbor presuppositions or assumptions about people from different cultures. Expand your perspective and mindset to be able to appreciate them in the right way. For example, interact with the intention of learning something new from others.
- If you are on vacation to another country, chances are that the taste of the food served is not according to your taste. However, be prepared to give it a try!
- Just because someone has a different personality, habit, or way of behaving and acting, doesn't mean they are necessarily worse than you. For example, Middle Eastern people generally prefer to chat and make small talk when compared to Europeans.
- Be willing to engage in new forms of interaction. It is possible that you will learn something from it, or even enjoy it!
- Show your appreciation! Don't roll your eyes or show a negative expression when faced with a scene that feels foreign to you.
Step 5. Teach your children to appreciate different cultures
Believe me, someone will be easier to appreciate something if the habit has been instilled since he was little. If a child is raised with an open mind, chances are he will not be discriminated against as an adult. Therefore, take as much time as possible to introduce cultural differences to your children.
- If your child complains about his friends not being able to go out on Saturdays, take the time to teach him material on cultural differences. For example, explain that some religions and/or cultures regard Saturday as a holy day; as a result, on that day they have to perform certain religious rituals or cannot travel with their friends.
- Find a school that teaches multiculturalism for your child. Before enrolling your child, ask if the school you are interested in teaches some kind of language or art.
- Be a good example for him. If you are always polite and respectful of others, chances are your children will treat others the same way.
Method 3 of 3: Trying New Things
Step 1. Eat new foods
Food is one of the most important elements of culture; for many, food contains not only nutrition, but also a significant cultural heritage. Therefore, do not hesitate to eat food from various types of culture, yes!
- Take your friends to a restaurant that sells authentic Ethiopian food! In addition to filling your stomach with delicious food, you will also gain new knowledge about how to eat Ethiopian people.
- Have friends who are Jewish? If so, try asking him what his favorite Kosher food is and how to make it.
- Try cooking a new menu every week. For example, you could try cooking food from another culture at the beginning of each week and invite your family to taste it.
Step 2. Participate in new cultural activities
Generally, different cultures will offer different kinds of activities. Therefore, don't hesitate to join a rugby team or watch a football game in a crowd in a bar even if the culture seems less common in your country. Most likely, you will meet people from different cultures there!
- Listen to new types of music. Try attending an Italian opera or a recital featuring African ethnic music.
- Watch foreign movies. Try visiting independent cinemas or foreign embassies in your country to watch foreign films with subtitles.
- Learn different arts. If one of the local museums is having a Greek art exhibition, don't hesitate to visit it!
Step 3. Learn new words
Trust me, it's easier to interact with people from different cultures if you understand or even master the language. Therefore, don't hesitate to learn important phrases that can help you interact with local people while on vacation.
- Learn what they are called. Your new Japanese neighbor will be more than happy if you bother to greet him with a "Konnichiwa!" instead of simply saying “Hello!”.
- Take foreign language courses. Don't worry, there are many courses that provide foreign language classes at an affordable cost. Take advantage of the offers that are profitable for you!
- If you want, you can also take an online language course or download a translation app on your phone.
Step 4. Take a vacation to a place that has a different culture
One of the most effective ways to learn about another culture is to become a tourist in a country that carries that culture. By doing so, you will indirectly be "forced" to learn the culture every day. Therefore, don't be afraid to visit new places anymore!
- Be a traveler who is able to appreciate the surroundings. For example, if you want to visit the United Arab Emirates, make sure you first understand the dress code there and don't violate it.
- Try to follow various activities carried out by the local community. While on vacation, a tourist tends to only visit places that are popular with tourists; once in a while, try interacting with the local people and ask their favorite places you can visit. Open your horizons from the local people's eyes!
- Put your safety first. Enjoy the holidays, but make sure you are always alert and use common sense in your actions.
Tips
- Try watching films from different countries and cultures (for example, Indian films or films that highlight a foreign culture to you); doing so can broaden your perspective and help you appreciate the different cultures of people.
- Are you a fashion buff? If so, try combining different styles of dress from different cultures.
- Like to read? Try reading magazines from countries that have different cultures (or cover topics related to cultures that are different from yours).
