 |
By completing this workshop you are hoping to deepen your understanding of the Australian South Sea Islander culture. However, cross-cultural training is limited by generalisations. Any comments made about Australian South Sea Islander culture threaten to define and confine it.
Think about how Australian South Sea Islanders might feel when their culture is limited by a definition. Would Australians agree with the statements below?
I would feel better if I knew an Australian had written the excerpt. Non-Australians cannot accurately describe Australian culture.
I do not think the excerpt is accurate, as it does not describe all Australians. It should be longer and more thorough.
Australia does not have a culture – describing it is impossible.
Tourists should find out how Australians communicate by talking with them, not reading about them.
Australian culture is my culture – I don't like people trying to pigeonhole it!
On the whole, I liked the excerpt – it gives tourists an outline of what to expect. It is helpful.
| Your statement | Australian South Sea Islander statement |
|---|---|
| I would feel better if I knew an Australian had written the excerpt. Non-Australians cannot accurately describe Australian culture. | I would feel better if materials relating to Australian South Sea Islanders were written by Australian South Sea Islanders. Non-Australian South Sea Islanders cannot accurately describe my culture. |
| I do not think the excerpt is accurate, as it does not describe all Australians. It should be longer and more thorough. | I do not think any materials written about Australian South Sea Islanders are accurate. Usually they need to be more thorough. |
| Australia does not have a culture – it is pointless trying to describe it. | Australian South Sea Islanders do not have a culture – it is pointless trying to describe it. |
| Tourists should find out how Australians speak by talking with them, not reading about them. | People should find out about Australian South Sea Islanders by talking with them, not reading about them. |
| Australian culture is my culture – I don't like people trying to pigeonhole it! | Australian South Sea Islander culture is my culture – I don't like people trying to pigeonhole it! |
| On the whole, I like the excerpt – it gives tourists some idea of what to expect. It is helpful. | On the whole, I like materials that are written about Australian South Sea Islanders. It gives people some idea of what to expect. It is helpful. |
Defining a culture, even when it is done with the best possible intentions, can lead to all sorts of problems. There can never be a definitive 'guide to Australian South Sea Islanders' – just as there can never be a 'guide to Australians'! Attempts to pigeonhole your client may lead to problems.
The solution is to treat every one of your clients as an individual. If you'd like to know about the cultural beliefs and practices of a client – just ask! Your client is the expert.
Seek the advice and approval of representatives from Australian South Sea Islander groups before creating materials about them, or services for them. Your local Australian South Sea Islander community will help you develop and deliver appropriate health care.
It seems that there can be some pitfalls to avoid when learning about another culture. But now, let's think about the benefits of cross-cultural training.
Other languages