Unlock the Power of Cultural Awareness | Why it Matters?
By: Isaias P. Despi Jr.
Understanding the culture has been an integral part for several years in our society. This has been associated with different aspects like workplace, politics, social organization, or simply in any relationships.
In a world that is constantly becoming more and more culturally diverse, we can’t undermine the importance of putting this into consideration to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
The Definition
Culture encompasses different dimensions of our lives, such as language, religion, food, art, and music. Culture shapes who we are as individuals and contributes to the development of our societies. It’s fascinating to explore other cultures and learn about their traditions. Whether traveling to a foreign country or visiting a local festival, there’s always something new to discover about culture.
Culture is one of those things that everyone seems to have an opinion on, but it’s hard to nail down what it is. Culture is defined as “the total of the learned behaviors and ideas that characterize a particular group of people or society.” It can include everything from how they dress and speak to their religious beliefs and values. But culture isn’t just about what’s unique to a specific group of people – it also includes the shared experiences and traditions that unite them. Whether you’re talking about national identity, regional identity, or even workplace culture, culture is all around us, shaping how we think and act.
Some researchers believe that there are more than 3800 cultures globally, but in reality, there could be an endless number of cultures to speak of. Though all these cultures are vastly different from one another, they all have something in common- the desire to be understood.
Culture - Main Type
While there are many elements to consider in examining the culture, It has been known that, there are two types of culture, referred to as Material Culture and Non-Material Culture.
Materials Culture
Material Culture is a term used to define the physical evidence of a culture. This includes objects created and operated by culture and architecture, including other built environments. Material culture can provide archaeologists and historians with valuable information about a culture, including its values, beliefs, and technological abilities. By studying material culture, we can learn about specific cultures and the development of human civilizations as a whole.
So What Exactly is Non-Material culture
This question can be hard to answer because it is a relatively new concept that has not been around for very long. In essence, non-material culture refers to the intangible aspects of human societies, such as customs, traditions, and beliefs. Unlike material culture, which consists of physical objects, non-material culture cannot be seen or touched. It must be inferred from people’s words and actions. However, despite its intangible nature, non-material culture can be just as powerful and influential as material culture.
Culture is a slippery concept. It’s like an embedded character that lies within a set of collective practices and norms. However, it’s not always easy to see or identify culture daily. Some would say that culture is something that is constantly changing and evolving. But despite its malleability, culture plays a vital role in our lives – both individually and collectively. Culture can foster creativity, collaboration, and community spirit at its best. And at its worst, it can lead to discrimination and exclusion.
So what does all this mean for libraries? Let’s explore the role of culture in libraries and offer some ideas on how we can embrace cultural diversity in our institutions.
Norms and practices also permeate every aspect of our lives, dictating what we should do and what we can do. While these imposed structures undoubtedly affect our daily lives, they often go unnoticed or unremarked. And while it’s always important to be aware of our cultural backgrounds, it’s even more important to be mindful of the cultures of others. Sometimes it’s easy for people to make assumptions or judgments about others without taking the time to learn more about their history and customs. There’s no question that the lack of awareness and understanding of cultural differences is crucial when dealing with them. Of course, there is no easy path to understand each culture, but staying mindful of its existence can already be a valuable step.
Simple awareness and recognition of cross-cultural background can give us a broader perspective that can lead us to greater insights.
There are various benefits to understanding the different cultures. One such benefit is that it can help you to be more understanding and accepting of other people. It can also help to improve communication between people from different cultures and can lead to greater cooperation and peace. Additionally, understanding other cultures can help you to learn new things, and can make your travels or experiences in other countries more enjoyable. The exposure to other cultures can help you to become a more well-rounded person. In workplace, where different background intersects, while it is considered a real challenging, promoting cultural awareness can lead a diversity could turn its workforce to become innovative, creative, and could increase problem-solving. Cultural awareness can also promote cultural safety that would provide that feeling of being able to work in an environment where you feel safe, respected and validated for who you are. This is a particularly important issue for people from minority cultures, who may often feel marginalized or unsafe in their workplaces.
Culture Awareness in Maritime Industry
The importance of promoting cultural awareness is also true in the maritime industry, where vessels of mixed nationalities are becoming more and more common. This cultural awareness could lead to better communication and mutual understanding, which could significantly impact the safe navigations of the ship.
Foreign vessels operating with mixed crews and different nationalities of Seafarer’s sailing for a limited period must adapt quickly and effectively to ensure that they can work cohesively with their team. Despite any cultural differences, seafarers should successfully work together by learning each other’s customs and adapting accordingly. By forming a solid working relationship, seafarers can better complete their tasks safely and efficiently. According to recent studies, culturally aware crews have reported higher levels of workplace satisfaction. This seems especially true among seafarers, who rely on team cooperation for safety and success. To foster a more culturally aware workforce, employers need to provide training and resources. By doing so, everyone can benefit from the improved communication and teamwork that comes with more diverse and inclusive workplace culture.
Culture are Ever-Changing and Dynamic
As we’ve seen, cultural awareness is essential to encourage team unity and collaboration. We’ve talked about the importance of cultural awareness today— but what does it mean to you?
What does it mean to be culturally aware? It means being aware of your own biases and stereotypes, as well as those around you. This skill helps us make better decisions in our personal lives and careers. The more we know about the world, the less likely we will jump to conclusions or offend someone unnecessarily! Have you ever dealt with cultural bias before? How did it feel when people judged you for something based on who they thought you were? Let’s talk about how this has happened in your life— what do these experiences say about perceptions of different cultures today? Is there anything that can be done to help change this perception for good? We want to hear from YOU- tell us below!
Make your life worthwhile, and to the world before you. BE RELEVANT!
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