Written by We’ve talked about what can happen when physical or time limitations prevent full cross cultural integration. We’ve talked about what can happen when your own discomfort with another culture’s norms gets in the way of adapting.
But what happens when there are certain behaviors and norms you don’t want to adapt to due to your own deep-seated cultural values?
This is where cross cultural issues can cause some real friction.
The Headscarf
One example is, of course, the cultural norm of wearing a headscarf.
In some Muslim countries, it is not government mandated for women to wear a headscarf (hijab). Unless you’re visiting a mosque, it’s an optional behavior, for native people and for tourists.
However, if you visit or work in a Muslim country where women must wear a headscarf by law, like Saudi Arabia, then you are faced with a norm rooted in cultural values that directly contradict your own.
While wearing a headscarf is easy enough to do, it’s the values that the headscarf symbolize that many Westerners reject. Freedom of choice is the foundation of Western culture.
If you refuse to adapt to the practice in a country for which it is law to wear the headscarf, or in a country which, more or less, abides by the religious practice, you may not ever fully integrate into the culture, and you may face legal punishment.
What do you do in this case?
To Adapt or Not to Adapt
To adapt or not to adapt, that is the question.
If you are someone who is living and working abroad, and you’re interested in fully integrating into the culture (and I’m guessing you are, if you’re reading this blog), then when facing conflicts like this one, where you feel you will betray your own values by adapting to another’s, you have two choices:
- Avoid the situation, altogether; or,
- Explain your rationale
In choosing #1, you would refrain from travel to countries where hijabs or burkas are required.
The latter choice is more of a gamble. You must explain your rationale in a way that does not diminish your foreign counterparts’ cultural norm or tradition.
And no matter how diplomatic you are about it, you’re assuming that your foreign counterpart will respect your rationale…which won’t always be the case.
Not Optional
Some adaptions may not be optional. Awareness and acceptance won’t be enough in situations where cultural values and norms run deep.
So, when living and working in a foreign culture, do your homework beforehand and come prepared to adapt your behavior regarding strict norms and values, whether they fall in line with yours or not.
Success Across Cultures 