What is Culture - Part 2 of 3

Originally Recorded: July 28, 2021

Notes

In this episode, part two of a three part series on “What is Culture?”  we continue our exploration of the concept of culture and its nuances. 

Join host Mike Picconatto as he engages in enlightening conversations with author and cross-cultural expert Dr. Stephen W. Jones, and his wife, Jennie Jones. 

In this installment, we delve into the concept of tacit knowledge, which can often be a hurdle in cross-cultural interactions. Tacit knowledge refers to the things we know, but may not consciously realize we know. These unspoken cultural understandings can cause misunderstandings, as what may be considered respectful in one culture might be seen as disrespectful in another. From the subtle non-verbal cues of eye contact to the physical distance between individuals during a conversation, these aspects of culture are deeply ingrained and shape our interactions on a fundamental level. 

We share personal experiences and anecdotes to shed light on how individual cultural customs and beliefs influence our behavior without us even realizing it. From the significance of resting poses like crossed arms to the different interpretations of time, we begin to uncover the multifaceted nature of tacit knowledge. As we explore these examples, we see how cultural perspectives on time, communication, and honesty can vary greatly, highlighting the importance of understanding and embracing cultural diversity. 

Join us on this thought-provoking journey as we delve deeper into the hidden depths of culture and how it shapes our lives. Stay tuned for more insightful conversations on transitions across cultures, as we bring you the best content to enhance your cross-cultural experiences. 

Links:

Resources from this episode:

Information on Stephen Jones.

Videos and other traXcultures resources.

Follow Stephen and Jennie on Instagram: @thejonesesinberlin

Visit liminal edges on Instagram: @liminal_edges

Contact Envision Berlin about customizing the Cross-Cultural Transitions Handbook for your cross-cultural ministry organization.

Credits:

Regular Theme music by Mike Picconatto

Unterwegs is recorded and produced by Envision Berlin

This episode was recorded, in part, on the land of the Wahpekute, Anishinabewaki, and the Očeti Šakówiŋ (Sioux).

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Timestamped Overview: 

[00:02:14] Knowing cultural codes can be challenging.

[00:06:15] Deep cultural understanding of time is elusive.

[00:10:04] Differences in perception and understanding of change.

[00:13:01] Cultural apology expectations hindered reconciliation attempts.

[00:14:40] Identity order and priority: individualism vs collectivism.

[00:19:44] Two family sides: emotional expression and restraint.

[00:22:44] Asking for timeline, misunderstanding offense. Emotional family.

[00:25:17] Funny similarity in punctuality between us. Military kid. On-time is late.