7 DONT’s to aid in your journey to Cultural Sensitivity
1. Don’t be Closed-Minded
“It is impossible to learn what you think you already know.” These words from the Greek Stoic Epictetus are a good reminder to re-evaluate our own views of the world. For people who are not often exposed to other cultures, it could be easy to assume that they already know how the world works or the way things should be. This can lead them to make moral judgments about things that may be relatively neutral. Having an open-mind doesn’t mean we accept everything as morally good. It just means we hold off on assigning a moral judgment by understanding that some things in life are neutral - in itself not bad or good, but just depends on how it is utilized. If you don’t have the complete scope of what is happening.
2. Don’t Judge
It’s easy to judge a book by its cover. You may get some ideas about the book from reading its cover, but without opening it you’ll never know the depth and complexities inside. In the same way no one would value your opinion of a book if you never actually read it, it would seem juvenile to make judgements on a culture without understanding all the various factors that go into it. We often quickly jump to moral judgments when we see something new or different, but typically, people’s basis for morality is set by their own cultural standards.
3. Don’t Stereotype
People often attach the ideas they’ve heard about a culture to every person of that culture, even if it’s not fitting. Just because someone looks a certain way or dresses in a specific style doesn’t mean they are the exact same as everyone of that ethnic origin. Let individuals be themselves without expecting them to behave a certain way depending on their ethnicity or cultural background. Even positive stereotypes can have ill effects on people if it places unnecessary expectations on individuals of that culture who do not fit with that stereotype.
4. Don’t Generalize / Oversimplify
If stereotyping is taking ideas about a culture and applying it to each individual, generalizing would be the opposite - taking an encounter with an individual and believing it to be true for the entire culture. There exists immense diversity within a single culture. Even within your own culture, there are people on the complete opposite sides of the religious, economic, political, spectrum as you. In the same way you wouldn’t want people grouping you with someone seemingly so different, don’t try to always speak about other people groups as if they are all one and the same. Avoid sweeping statements or oversimplifications.
5. Don’t Dismiss Other People’s Experiences or Sensitivities
Talking isn’t always enough. If you want to take your understanding of a culture to the next level, you’ll need to develop friendships with someone from that culture. While “walking a mile in someone’s shoes” is next to impossible, you can walk alongside someone as they live life, and in doing so you will learn more and more about how the culture they come from has shaped them.
6. Don’t Act Entitled
While some people may enjoy the chance to educate others on their culture, others may not. Just because you ask a question to someone about their culture, doesn’t mean they owe you an explanation. Remember that it’s not other people’s responsibility to educate you on their culture.
7. Don’t Be Weird
While there may be lots of “Don’t”s, one of the biggest ones is don’t be weird. You don’t have to tip-toe around people, and be so scared of accidentally offending someone that you are never yourself enough to start developing a friendship. Be you, and when you make a cultural mistake, apologize and strive to learn and improve.
Sources:
“WHAT ARE THE WAYS IN WHICH YOU CAN INCREASE CULTURAL AWARENESS?” Country Navigator. 13 May 2022 (visited 11 April 2023)
“Diversity Cultural Competence Checklist.” AVMA. (visited 21 April 2023)
https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/2022-02/DiversityCulturalCompetenceChecklist.pdf
