This blog entry I would like a quote from the book "Intercultural Competence - For a Better Understanding. Key factors for international cooperation "by Beatrice Hecht-El Minshawi begin:
" These people are knowledgeable, goal-oriented and less personal. They belong to the group of "low context culture" (Hall). Their need for power distance (Hofstede) is not strong, but avoid them to be insecure. They are classified as highly individualistic and feminine as much. (...) Like all developed nations and this people try to control nature. Lewis describes it as linear-active and Gesteland than statements oriented, limited formal monochrome and reserved. "
The people, of which the question is, is Germany. We Germans are so linear-active, certificate-oriented, limited formal, reserved and monochrome, and indeed all, without exception. Interesting.
course, one should object to this generalization. Not all Germans are reserved and there should also be in Germany, people who are people oriented.
Means "little people-oriented," that I do not want to be friendly, and "not very feminine," that I can be insensitive behavior issues? Hardly.
for what you need such a cultural leader? He clearly intended to give knowledge by reading from the host country and to provide more security in behavior. Ultimately - and I am sure - it has increased uncertainty.
in the title, I have promised you a cultural guide for Ghana. Unlike the above-cited book, I may not throw prejudices and generalizations about me.
see after six months in Ghana, I Ajumako as a small home. At first I was Obroni (white man) approached, then as Kwesi (my Ghanaian name = Sunday child) and now with Torben. Most people know me, I have found friends, my work in the schools makes me fun. I've adapted to the Ghanaian life and feel very comfortable here. And das alles habe ich ohne Kulturführer geschafft.
„Es gibt Gemeinsamkeiten im Verhalten von Menschen, aber es gibt noch mehr Unterschiede“, schreibt der Kulturführer. Dem widerspreche ich auch wieder. Denn die vielen Gemeinsamkeiten lassen die kleinen kulturellen Unterschiede mickrig erscheinen. Anders wäre es ja nicht möglich, dass ich mich in so einer kurzen Zeit so gut eingelebt habe.
Wie habe ich das gemacht? Was ist mein Geheimnis?
Meine These ist, dass es mehr Gemeinsamkeiten als Unterschiede gibt. Es gibt Werte und Verhaltensweisen, die in Deutschland diesselbe Anerkennung erfahren wie in Ghana (und vielleicht auf der ganzen Welt).
Die Rede ist von Toleranz, Respekt, Openness, but above all, kindness. I greet acquaintances on the street in the city entertain me here and there with people, ask lots of questions.
It can be as easy.
Then I get paid out of the blue oranges. The mother of a student thanked me with a pineapple for my work at school and my kindness. Our pineapple vendor grabs me a free half a pineapple, because I tell her in Fante that I leave that evening. Of the teachers in the school, I get a lot of praise for my behavior and I feel the tremendous honor of my roommate to their Traditional wedding to be invited. Wow! The Rastas have
right when they say: It is nice to be nice. (It's nice to be nice.)
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