| Cultural awareness is having the appreciation and | | | | everything for you. |
| recognition that people are different all over the | | | | Take a deep breath and ask yourself this question, |
| world. It means having tolerance and sensitivity in | | | | "How do so many people in the world manage to live |
| many situations and controlling our attitude towards | | | | together in mixed environments without any of the |
| others. | | | | circumstances that you are experiencing affecting |
| Because we are all humans, we instantly believe that | | | | their way of life?" |
| we must be all the same, ok yes, we have different | | | | How? This is how. They have realised that it is only |
| nationalities, different languages and we may have a | | | | their own attitude to the situations that are |
| different colour of skin, but apart from that we are | | | | presented to them that determines the outcome. |
| all the same. | | | | By showing tolerance and sensitivity to other people's |
| When we travel to another country, on business or | | | | feelings, with a recognition and respect for their |
| on holiday, we only have a short glimpse of the | | | | ideas, you will very soon find that it becomes a |
| country and people we are visiting and we readily | | | | natural way of thinking and your attitude will reflect |
| accept the lifestyle, however it is, because we know | | | | this fact. |
| we will not be there long. | | | | Their politics, laws, beliefs, religion, customs, ideas, |
| We may have to cope with understanding a few | | | | values and education systems will all remain the |
| words in another language, or a new currency and | | | | same, you just have to give some patient attention |
| getting used to some new tastes, in food and drink, | | | | to them, to gain better appreciation and |
| but this is all part of the experience of being | | | | understanding. |
| somewhere different. | | | | Getting more involved with the people, in social |
| But if we stay longer or decide to live in another | | | | activities, you will begin to have a much fuller |
| country, we then start to notice some significant | | | | immersion in their ways and they will want to help |
| differences and realise that the lifestyle is quite a bit | | | | you to become more integrated with them. They will |
| different from what we may have expected. In fact | | | | put a lot of effort into communicating with you, by |
| we start to judge everything by our own standards. | | | | teaching you some of their language and learning |
| We ask, "Why don't they do things the way we | | | | some of yours. |
| do?" "Why don't they understand what I am saying | | | | You will find that their ideas, beliefs and values are |
| to them?" "Don't they have any manners?" | | | | not so far away from your own. And the |
| We have a slow realisation that it is not just the | | | | enlightenment that families, children, relationships and |
| language that is so different to our ears, the whole | | | | friends are just as important to them as they are to |
| situation is different. The people here have different | | | | you will reinforce your sense of belonging. |
| tastes, different ideas and a very much different | | | | The creativity and artistic flair that is apparent in |
| understanding to what you are accustomed to. | | | | many countries will be presented to you by the |
| Over time, we start to have a stronger perception | | | | people in their customs, traditions and folklore. You |
| of some of the things that make these people the | | | | will have the opportunity to see some very |
| way they are. Their politics and laws are different, | | | | spectacular sights and enjoy some wonderful |
| their beliefs and even their religion may be different | | | | enthusiastic experiences. |
| and their education systems may also be unlike the | | | | Whether it is just a long visit, relocation due to |
| ones we appreciate. | | | | employment, or your new home, this country and |
| Their customs, values, ideas, attitudes and social | | | | these people are now a part of your way of life. And |
| activities may be totally different to what we have | | | | they will give you, as warm a welcome, as you give |
| become used to. In fact you now have the complete | | | | them. |
| realisation that it is not just the lifestyle that has | | | | Tolerance, sensitivity, respect and the knowledge |
| changed for you. | | | | that we are all the same, despite our differences, |
| But was it not that lifestyle that first attracted you | | | | can and will, give us an attitude to life and to the |
| to this country and these people. If they had come | | | | people around us, that truly provides us with |
| to your country with the expectation of everything | | | | recognition of why we were put on this earth; to live |
| being the way that they knew in their country, would | | | | in harmony and complete the successful fulfilment of |
| you have changed everything for them, no you | | | | our lives. |
| would not, so don't expect them to change | | | | |