To what extent does knowing other cultures allow you to understand and accept the differences?

Answer 1

Knowing other cultures generally isn't enough. You need to understand what you know. This takes the background knowledge of why some particular saying or act has come to be. You also need to make an analogy to something you know. No one ever truly understands someone else's culture. You have to grow up in it to truly understand. The best you can hope for is acceptance of why something exists and learn when to use or not use the knowledge.

I'm dealing with the Indian culture right now, and I am an American. It is taking a lot of time to understand how they understand respect. American are taught to look up, stand straight, and look into the eyes of the superior/elder. Indians are taught to bow a little and just listen and not speak. It gets tough sometimes, but knowledge will eventually lead to a limited understanding. Accepting that it exists is easy. Remembering that someone is different is hard.

Answer 2

Having experienced 2 cultures extremely different to my home culture I would say that "knowing" them helps you understand the differences a whole lot better. However, you might not always accept the differences. For example I lived in South Korea, where dog is a very expensive meal on many menu's. I never ate it, and seeing the dog farms made my stomach turn, however I talked to the Koreans I know, and they grow up with a different idea about the use of dogs, and so they eat em... I don't accept this, but I understand their view is different to mine, and I accept that!!!

PS: Korea is an amazing place

Answer 3

it almost depends on how u take it. if u only see the dark side of others culture then u would never be able to acept it, but if u see the brighter side than obviously u will find some good differences which you really like to accept and adopt. i am hindu i love my culture but i adore muslim culture as well jst because of thier faith in god and the way they worship god even a small child will do in a perfect way.

Answer 4

Personally it makes a huge difference. I have always tried to understand other people from their cultural or religious perspective, and teach my children to do the same.

Ignorance of others' beliefs/culture is the root of fear, and by educating oneself you remove a great deal of that fear. Even though I might not always understand or agree with them, I do come away with a better understanding of their ways, which in turn helps me grow personally in my own self, and helps me to be more tolerant of others who aren't like me.

Answer 5

for me, its pretty important, but some people might argue otherwise. how can you understand and accept the differences if you dont know where they are coming from, their history, civilization, etc.

Answer 6

an open mind