Just passing along a press release from the US National Science Foundation on cultural differences. The study looks at ‘tight’ and ‘loose’ cultures, how they got that way, and how they sustain themselves. Interesting, for sure, and I’d like to read the full report.
May:27:2011 - 08:11 | Comments & Trackbacks (7) | Permalink
7 Responses to “How and Why Cultures Differ”
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May:28:2011 - 04:57
First of all, I love the photograph
Indeed, it all rings bells. I truly believe that behaviours from other cultures goes much deeper than say ‘religion’ for example.
There is an old saying, ‘It is the survival of the fittest’. I have noticed that along the corridors of medterrian and down through the Middle East gaining trust is more challenging. Also, it seems ‘saving face’ is also common, compared to the Germans and Danes who will useally and bluntley tell you something you do not wnat to hear.
Interesting article John.
May:28:2011 - 11:18
Good article John….thank you.
If you look at the archaeological record this gives evidence of how cultures were/are formed/differ. By examining how human agency helped shape and moulded societies, the ethnology where habitats and weather played an important factor, or the diffusion of belief systems, kinships and leadership, this gives an in-sight into the formation of cultures. In addition, Art; what is it and how it’s defined plays an enormous part to forming cultures.
If anyone is interested in this field, I would highly recommend any readings by Franz Boaz.
May:28:2011 - 15:51
One wonder why a country with a culture as rigid as Saudi Arabia has chosen to have so much of its work done by foreigners?
May:29:2011 - 08:14
@Jerry M
If you look at it from an antropological perspective, you will find the answer, i.e Education.
May:29:2011 - 17:38
@aunty may
I do know why they think they need foreigners, but why they have chosen to buy foreign help rather than train the people (as most successful countries have done). It is a bad bargain.
May:30:2011 - 14:06
Hi Jery,
I don’t know if I am qualified to answer ‘Why the Saudis have chosen to buy foreign help”. I could be wrong in my theories. However, my guess is, “one can judge a country by their education.”
I don’t under estimate the Saudis. Long-term, it is a game of chess for them, all somewhat strategically planned. We are the bought pawns (foreigners), and one day in the future they might say, ‘check mate’ and wave farewell to us. Yet, they will probably keep their Asian maids and drivers just like the residents of Martha’s Vineyard keep their Latino maids.
This country is slowly laying the foundations to reach its vision of Saudis slowly taking over the jobs of foreigners, even though many may not agree with this view. The concept of work in Islam (called ‘amal) is far broader and has different characteristics and objectives than that understood in the Western economic tradition. All countries have different approaches. No doubt you are probably already know in Europe they have the Protestant Ethic approach, or post war Japan has the Tao Ethic approach. One of Islam’s ideologies is to encourage people to utilize all the resources that Allah has created and entrusted and for them to USE RESPONSIBLY. One of these resources is called “FOREIGN WORKERS.”
Like Donald Trump, Islam considers wealth as an important means by which people will attain their ultimate objective. In order for Saudi Arabia to reach their objectives/vision they have another resource, oil. Part of this revenue is to invest/buy us foreigners whilst “the laying of foundations slowly takes place”…until the time is right, when like Trump, they can say, “You’re fired”. Is this smart thinking?
If one is lazy, unqualified, lacks accountability and/or passes or justifies an excuse with “inshallah’- ?? ???” then this attitude proves unproductive in an ever changing competitive economic climate. Due to the educational background of many foreigners this gives an edge, a weight to the work environment, where they have a disposition of locus of control. It is taught from an early age that we were shown the relationship between people’s behavior and being accountable for the cause and effect of ones’ actions. Growing up, I saw this in a highly dynamic classroom environment where all learning and teaching processes were, as like in thousands of schools, geared to accountability. Therefore, Saudis prefer an employee who is accountable and hardworking. Not one who says ‘inshallha’ to justify their behavior either by, e.g. coming back from long lunch breaks, being absent, or sitting round talking and drinking endless cups of chai/coffee, when it is deadlines and objectives that should be met. There are many highly effective Saudi employers/employees who pave the way in laying the cornerstone to Saudi’s vision. – ?? ??? I hope they hold many public workshops for all young citizens.
As I mentioned in my last post, it all comes down to Education. The Koran also teaches work ethics. Work ethics actually begin in a child’s cognitive development. In order for the Saudi vision to come to fruition it has to start early. Education is the key… classrooms need to hire many dynamic teachers who USE the Bloom’s taxonomy method. Implementing this methodology either through mainstream, WALDORF, OR MONTESORRI will teach- ?? ???, young Saudis to use critical thinking skills in teamwork and be accountable for themselves, their peers which in-turn becomes a circle of continuity for effective teaching and learning processes. Meanwhile, their minds will become enriched and equipped to enhance and contribute to the work force.
In mainstream public/private high schools the up and coming future employees perhaps should be taught the following:( in Social Studies, Human Geography, Economics, Management, Law and History Classes)………………….
The Saudi at work;
Sociology of work in Saudi Arabia
Competing models for understanding work in Saudi
The Commitment to being at work, work hours, labor-force participation and the work ethic; processing labor through Saudi’s Labor Markets; the change and challenge in the labor market; segmentation of the labor market;
The broader social policy context for understanding choice at work in Saudi
From labor policy to social policy: a framework for understanding labor process in Saudi at the national level
What it is to have social security and safety nets in the Arab World
Comparative Law Studies …e.g. Sharia Law v the evolution of the Magna Carta (I hold no responsibility for any future revolutions!!).
The Power Relations shaping the organization of work in Saudi:
What it is to have union movements in the Arab world
(Human) Management organizations and the interests of employers;
The future of work in Saudi
As it is part and parcel of their learning process to recite the Koran, kids need to learn the MEANING. of verses – ?? ???.
What is the use of reciting ANY holy book, if one does not understand the meaning?
To lay another foundation for the Saudi ‘vision’, perhaps the following verses which are in relation to work ethics NOT be taught – ?? ??? through repetition but through meaning:
Quran 2:195, 2:110, 2:254; 29:61; 2:180 and 215; 9:60; 73:20; 51:19; 17:26; 17:29; 9:34-36; 14:32; 16:14; 45:13; 22:36-37; 62:10; 73:20; 16:6; 17:70; and 7:32.2:190;; 9:34.
One will have to reap whatever rewards or retributions are done as a result of his work. (Quran 99:6-8).
Let’s hope the Saudis lay the educational cornerstone on their chess board. Otherwise it looks as if the “buying of foreigners” is here for the long-term. …maybe that will be a bad bargain for them, but not, – ?? ???, for us…check mate.
May:31:2011 - 00:24
“Saudis to limit stay of expat workers”
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/saudis-to-limit-stay-of-expat-workers-1.815142
This limitation will be on mainly unskilled Asian workers. I agree with most of what you said Aunty May with the exception that the Saudis will be retaining their servants. For sure there will be a few who will, but i foresee a massive exodus.
What everyone is failing to state about the cost of a driver or maid is the upfront initial cost not just their monthly salary. The upfront costs are anywhere from roughly 1,700 – 4000 USD. I wish the newspaper’s would start talking about those costs.