Mar 20

Holi Cultural Festival Celebrations around the World

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture No Comments »

As winter comes to an end and the month of March begins, excitement and anticipation is brought to the Hindu population of India; this is when the Holi festival starts. The word ‘Holi’ derives from the word ‘hola’, which is a thank you to the Almighty for the harvest. This is why Holi is celebrated as winter ends and the Spring Harvest begins.

People of all ages celebrate Holi by throwing coloured powder at each other’s faces, smearing coloured water everywhere, dancing under water sprinklers and having parties. Originating in India several centuries before Christ, Holi has now become a global festival, celebrated by thousands all around the world every year. This is because despite Holi being a Hindu festival, all cultures and religions are allowed to participate as it represents a single and global value: life.

Holi Festival Colours f9photos i1 Holi Cultural Festival Celebrations around the World

© istockphoto.com/f9photos

Anyone living and working in another countryshould be aware of Holi and the impact that it may have on social and business life. While most people focus on how Holi is celebrated in countries like India with a large Hindu population, here are a few unique examples of how this beautiful cultural festival is celebrated in other places around the world.

Los Angeles

In Los Angeles, Holi is celebrated in a similar way to the traditional festivities in India, but it tends to revolve more around music and the arts as opposed to the religious context of Indian Holi. Along with what is known in LA as ‘Colour Throws’, there are also bands playing, yoga classes, mantras, dances and cuisine. The festival takes place at Excelsior High School in Norwalk, Los Angeles. Even though the Los Angeles Holi is very much a different festival from the Indian Holi, the organisers of the festival, the Utah Hari Krishna Temple, are very aware of the importance of the Holi tradition. They believe “The colour, noise and entertainment that accompanies the celebration of Holi bears witness to a feeling of oneness and sense of brotherhood.”

Berlin

No official Holi festival had been celebrated in the whole of Europe until July 2012 when Berlin decided to bring the colourful and joyful event to Germany. Held in METAXA Beach, the Berlin Holi festival maintains the Hinduism roots of Holi and like Los Angeles, it adds an arts and music twist to the traditional festivals celebrated in India and other Hindu countries. Up and coming Indian DJs are invited to play during the festival as well as professional Hindu acrobats and dancers, both incorpo-rating the original values into their festival. Berlin is no longer alone as three other German cities, Munich, Dresden and Hannover, held Holi festivals which were attended by over 25,000 people. This year Holi is planned to be celebrated in 12 German cities including Dortmund, Essen, Frankfurt, Karlsruhe, Leipzig, Leverkusen, Mannheim, Saarbrücken and Stuttgart. All of these events are organ-ised in cooperation with the official Indian tourism office and have the support of the Indian Embassy in Berlin.

Cape Town

In the shadow of Table Mountain, the Grand Parade hosted Holi on 2 March this year. The open air atmosphere, described as ‘magical’, attracted over 10,000 people. Local DJs played and there were hourly colour throws. Like the other festivals, the organisers kept the values from the original Hindu festival. The success of the Cape Town Holi celebrations has now encouraged other South Africans to set up their own Holi festivals so next year there are celebration plans afoot in Johannesburg and Durban. Interestingly, Durban is the largest ‘Indian city’ outside of India, which promises a spectacular Holi to be hosted there.

In summer 2013 there will also be a large Holi Festival celebration held in London following on from the popularity and success in other countries and major cities. So if you are living and working in the UK, don’t miss out on the occasion to dive into a vibrant element of Indian culture and join a celebration close to you.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2013

Tagged with: • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Oct 09

Deputy Prime Minister’s Bid to Gain New Business with Turkey

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management No Comments »

Radio 5 Live’s ‘On the Money’ recently brought to our attention Turkey’s attractive position as an emerging market and potential trade partner for the UK. Last week Nick Clegg lead a trade delegation to Turkey with the purpose of seeking new investment in Britain and increasing UK exports to this fast growing market that spans Europe and Asia. The Deputy Prime Minister was joined by Business Minister Michael Fallon and a business delegation of 18 CEOs and Senior Executives from companies including Arup, Mott McDonald, AECOM, Lloyd’s of London and Cella Energy. Together they discussed possible new business ventures with their Turkish counterparts which could be worth up to half a billion pounds.

With new business deals already agreed between a number of British companies and their Turkish counterparts, other UK businesses will also be eager to develop business partnerships with Turkey. Already Turkish company HDM Steel Pipe is opening a £7 million factory in Cardiff , creating 38 jobs Wolverhampton based Concept Steels signing a £5 million contract with a Turkish firm to export alloys, metals and components for the oil and gas and chemical industries.

Istanbul Aya Sofya Mosque Tulay Over i Deputy Prime Ministers Bid to Gain New Business with Turkey

©iStockphoto.com

What do we know about Turkey?

Turkey is now Europe’s seventh largest economy and is one of the world’s largest markets. Turkey bridges both Europe and Asia, making it an appealing country for UK businesses to invest in. However, even though Turkey’s modernisation is rapid it still holds traditional values and cultures at its heart. It has a combination of two unique cultures creating a diverse collection of ideas and beliefs. Therefore an understanding and awareness of its culture in business is an essential tool to Britain’s success.

Top tips: key concepts and values

  • Family – The most essential social unit in Turkish culture is the family
  • Multitasking – Turks tend to juggle multiple activities at the same time and continue several conversations simultaneously. Thus, in a Turkish business environment, it is not uncommon for phone calls to be taken during scheduled meetings
  • Islam – Modern day Turkey is a secular state; however the philosophy and ideology of Islam still remains a prevalent feature of Turkish culture

Tips for doing business in Turkey:

  • Schedule business appointments in advance to ensure that you avoid Turkish holiday’s e.g Ramadan
  • Given the influence of Islam on Turkish society, daily routines, appointments and meetings must be fitted around each of the five daily prayer times
  • Decisions are always made by the most senior business people. However, due to the strong sense of collectivism that underlines Turkish business culture, the decision maker will often consider the group involved in that decision
  • At the start of any business meeting or social gathering, it is customary to greet your Turkish counterparts with a handshake; failure to do so may be considered rude
  • Engaging in small talk before beginning business discussions is important for establishing rapport in Turkey. It is a good idea to get to know your Turkish counterpart on a personal level

The deputy prime ministers goal is ‘…to double bilateral trade by 2015…’ For the UK to achieve these far reaching goals an understanding of Turkey’s cultural makeup is essential. Cross cultural awareness training programmes such as doing business in Turkey or living and working in Turkey can provide executives and employees with the essential knowledge they need to know about the country and its culture. Showing an understanding of Turkish customs and traditions will enable British businesses to mitigate against any risks associated with cultural misunderstanding and build a more successful social and business relationship for the future.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2012

Tagged with: • • • • • • • •
Sep 20

Will and Kate’s Tour of Asia a Success Due to a Strong Cultural Awareness

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management No Comments »

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge recently returned back to the United Kingdom after a highly successful tour of the Asia-Pacific. The tour was a major triumph for the royals and also for Great Britain’s relations abroad. Through excellent cultural awarenessand embracing cross cultural traditions this tour was viewed by the world to be a great success.

The trip began on 11 September and took the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Singapore, Malaysia, the Solomon Islands and a tiny island in the south pacific called Tuvalu. The trip was full of formal and informal engagements but the couple showed respect to and embraced the cultural diversity and traditions they experienced.

Flag uk Matt Trommer i1 Will and Kate’s Tour of Asia a Success Due to a Strong Cultural Awareness

© istockphoto.com/Matt Trommer

Embracing Cultures

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge appreciated local traditions by wearing local dress and they embraced local and religious customs with vigour and enthusiasm. They joined in with local dances with full costumes in Tuvalu and made sure they respected the Islamic faith when visiting the Assyakirin Mosque in Malaysia.

While the couple visited Tuvalu they were carried on a traditional throne in front of over 10,500 people (over half the population). William and Kate also visited a primary school where they took part in a game of “te ano“, a localised version of volleyball. They also watched a traditional canoe race and were shown elements of local culture including weaving, making fishing nets, the preparation of garlands and cooking.

At the Mosque the Duchess wore a below the knee dress and a draped head scarf in an effort to be cultural sensitive to Islamic religious law. A member of staff from the mosque told reporters, “both Kate and William had done their research.” They knew a lot about Islamic architecture and the cultural traditions and were enthusiastic and respectful towards everyone they met and everything they experienced.

Cultural Sensitivity Key to Their Success

The success of this trip can be associated with the attention that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge placed on being culturally aware of their surroundings and to the traditions they should follow. By embracing the cultures they were respected and welcomed by their host country which made the tour highly successful.

They had researched every country they visited and embraced each one with smiles and questions which created a friendly and relaxed atmosphere for all. Anyone involved in travelling overseas, whether for business or social reasons, can benefit immensely from a high level of cultural awareness which can boost relations and create lasting bonds both professionally and personally.

Taking part in a cultural awareness training course on the country where you are going will help you to show the right level of cultural understanding and knowledge that will ensure you avoid misunderstandings and frustrations with your international counterparts.

Tagged with: • • • •
Aug 24

A Feathered London: The Success of Cultural Diversity at the Notting Hill Carnival

Cross Cultural Training, Culture, Culture training for the Public sector No Comments »

As London winds down from the success and excitement of the London 2012 Olympic Games, the city is working hard to ensure that the summer continues to offer cultural diversity and festivities.  London’s Notting Hill Carnival is one of the most popular events of the year and one of the most famous carnivals in the world. Celebrated over the annual August bank holiday weekend, the Notting Hill Carnival brings together people from many different cultures and backgrounds and is a fabulous opportunity to appreciate and learn from the cultural diversity it offers.

Notting Hill Carnival Bikeworldtravel i A Feathered London: The Success of Cultural Diversity at the Notting Hill Carnival

© istockphoto.com/Bikeworldtravel

Carnivals and Lent – What’s the Connection?

In the Christian Catholic tradition, the Carnival is typically the period leading up to the forty days of pennitency, or Lent, that prepares believers for Easter.  These celebrations are common in countries with Christian Catholic traditions and beliefs and are often a significant influence on traditional costumes and rituals.  Although carnivals were traditionally connected to religious events, over time many countries have adopted and adapted the celebration in a more secular way.  As such there are many countries with celebrations they refer to as ‘carnivals’ which tend to have diversions, parades, masquerades, costumes or krewes.

London’s Notting Hill Carnival is not in any way connected to Lent.  It was introduced during the 1960’s by members of the Caribbean communities that live in the area as a response to the racially-motivated riots that had rencetly taken place in the neighbourhood.  Their reaction of unity and integration continued for many years and gradually evolved into one of London’s more important events.  More than a million people attend every year generating over £93 million. The renowned London Notting Hill Carnival is now a dynamic and colourful event consisting of two days – one mainly targeted at kids and one for adults.  Led by the Trinidadian and Tobagonian British population, it has become an event to celebrate London’s cultural diversity.

Every Carnival is a Different Event

Carnivals are usually cross-cultural events made up from a number of different nationalities.  The optimistic and festive atmosphere is open to many different kinds of celebrations, values and customs so that everyone feels welcome and integrated in the event.  To a certain degree, these festivities can work as a barometer indicating the cultural wealth of a city or a country. The group of diverse people that takes part in the celebration makes the carnival an altogether different event depending on where it is celebrated.

Looking at the most famous world carnivals we can appreciate important differences between them such as different attitudes to time and space, approaches to rules, degrees of collectivism, different perceptions of hierarchy, use of humour and so forth.  In Rio’s Carnival, for instance, cultural diversity is an essential characteristic.  Brazilians give particular attention to the African-rooted ‘samba’, staging massive choreographies that spread all along the city and the party extend untill dawn. In contrast, Berlin’s Carnival of Cultures enhances diversity by giving more importance to performing arts and organised shows that take place in a part of the city under a more restricted timetable. In Spanish carnivals the ‘comparsa’ contests, the election of the Carnival’s Queen and the ‘Bury of the Sardine’, tend to play a crucial role while in Venice everyone becomes equal by wearing masks as the nobles used to remain anonymous during the Renaissance and take part in smart and exclusive parties.

Not only Feathers…

London’s Notting Hill Carnival is not only a very colourful event with beautiful costumes and feathers, but a real opportunity to meet people from everywhere and get to know a bit more about the different cultures that inhabitate the city.  From deeply rooted music genres such as as Calypso, which had its roots in the sugar plantations where it was created by the slaves to mock their masters, to a wide range of different and tasty food products from different and exciting parts of the world, the Notting Hill Carnival has something for everyone.  Join the Carnival this weekend and find yourself in several global locations in one day.

The 40,000 volunteers that make this event possible have developed their intercultural skills to a high degree which enables them to work effectively with counterparts from other cultures achieving breathtaking results.  Any global organisation might benefit from this approach to cultural diversity.  The many advantages of a diversified workforce can boost any business and highly increase its possibilities of success. However, some challenges might arise when promoting multiculturalism in the workplace and cultural diversity training may help.  Either way, the feathers probably won’t be necessary in the office.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2012

Tagged with: • • • • • •
Aug 21

Goodbye London, See You in Rio – Cultural Differences between Two Olympic Cities

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management No Comments »

For two weeks this summer, London was the centre of the sporting world. The London 2012 Olympics took over the city, replacing the usual conversations about weather with talk about the events, the medals table and their own experience of being at the games. Unfortunately last week the Olympics came to an end and we will now have to wait another four years before we can support our national teams in the summer games again. The wait will be worth it though as we will next be headed to colourful Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The 2016 Olympics in Rio will be different in many ways. There will be new athletes leading the way in their respective sports while others will no longer be participating. The whole environment, from the venues to the infrastructure and systems, will also be completely different. Looking at Rio’s preparation to date for the 2016 Olympics, it’s not as prepared as London was at this stage but the organisers have four years to make sure it all works and the excellent model of London to look to for inspiration.

Olympic Rings jokerproproduction i Goodbye London, See You in Rio – Cultural Differences between Two Olympic Cities

© istockphoto.com/jokerproproduction

Looking ahead to the 2016 Olympics in Rio from a cultural perspective, the next summer games will be incomparable to London 2012. Not only will the overall cultural feel and style of the Olympics be different, but the organisation and overall approach will be quite distinct. Athletes, volunteers and spectators will therefore encounter a completely different range of cultural issues during these two weeks that they may not have in London so anyone involved will require a high level of cross-cultural awareness – something you can never start developing early enough!

Queuing for Tickets

Edward T. Hall, one of the founding fathers of intercultural communication, developed a number of concepts which have become paramount in any discussion about cultural differences. According to Hall, there are several ways in which cultures can differ from each other. One of these is the relationship people have to the physical space around them, in other words, what people tend to consider an appropriate space between each other in a given situation. People in Brazil tend to stand much closer to strangers than people from the UK do, so queuing for tickets in Rio could be a completely different experience for most.

Rio Prepares

Hall also found that concepts of time can differ between people from different cultural backgrounds, so the way people use and manage time can vary dramatically from one culture to another. People from polychronic cultures, like Brazilians, tend to have a flexible approach to time and do multiple activities at once for example. People from monochronic cultures, conversely, such as the British, prefer a more structured approach to doing things and appreciate punctuality.

The British, monochronic perspective is evident in the general organisation and planning of the Olympic games. The Brits had very precise plans and strict deadlines that they worked towards in order to have everything ready in time. As Rio prepares for the next summer games, they could end up missing important deadlines and timescales if they approach things with their typical flexible approach to time. Although they have a more laid back approach to time, Brazilians are extremely creative and tend to be very good at re-prioritising things so that the desired outcomes are still achieved. Rio 2016 will surely end up being a spectacular Olympics, but they may end up getting their through a very different approach.

Ready, Set, Go…

The British monochronic approach to time was also visible during the London 2012 Olympics in the punctual start and finish times that they adhered to throughout the games. Most events started exactly at the stated time, and you could even hear spectators counting down the seconds. Spectators also adhered to the British approach to time and arrived to each event ahead of time as instructed to allow enough time for everyone to get settled before the start. This is one aspect which may be very different during the Olympics in Rio, as Brazilians have a much more fluid and flexible approach to time.

Cultural Celebration

If you think the Olympics in Rio won’t be as punctual as London 2012, you might be right. But you’re wrong if you think it won’t be as much fun! Brazilians are known for their hospitality, openness and colourful and rhythmic events such as the Carnival of Rio. The London 2012 Olympics were a beautiful celebration of cultural diversity across the UK and the events and ceremonies reflected this in a very typical British way. The 2016 Olympics in Rio are likely to be even more colourful, festive and diverse if they are anything like other famous celebrations in Brazil.

Looking at the two Olympic cities from a cultural perspective, it’s possible that the perception of space and time could create significant differences in the way that the next Olympics are planned, organised and managed. Some will question whether Rio will be ready in time to welcome the world, while others may expect an even better party. No matter what happens, anyone involved in the next Olympics needs a great cross-cultural awareness if they want to benefit from the many opportunities the games can bring.

With four years to go until Rio proves itself the extremely hospitable, diverse and open city that it is, there is plenty of time to ensure those involved have the right support to develop the intercultural awareness that will make the next summer Olympics an event to remember!

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2012

Tagged with: • • •
Aug 20

It’s Not Just Another Flag, it’s a Matter of Cultural Sensitivity

Cross Cultural Training, Culture, Culture training for the Public sector 1 Comment »

As the London 2012 Olympics come to a close, we are left to look back and reflect on the key moments of the games. One in particular that will stand out to many as a very unfortunate incident happened before the London 2012 Olympics even got underway.

The second match of the women’s football tournament was supposed to be held at 19.45 at Glasgow’s Hampdem Park two days before the inaugural opening ceremony of London 2012 Olympic Games. However, a genuine mistake with the North Korean flag led to an embarrasing situation and put the match at risk of not being played.

Flags 2 Daniel Cardiffi It’s Not Just Another Flag, it’s a Matter of Cultural Sensitivity

© istockphoto.com/Daniel Cardiff

As the teams prepared for kick off, their lineup was announced. Next to the list of North Korean players was the South Korean flag, an error that led the team to storm off the field back to the dressing room where they refused to participate. Eventually they were persuaded to play the game, only once the error had been corrected and the correct flag was shown.  Finally, after much discomfort and uncertainty for the players and spectators alike, the referee whistled the start of the game.

The obvious lack of cultural sensitivity was a huge embarrassment to organisers when they failed to realise that they had used the wrong flag on the board showing the names of the players on the North Korean women’s football national team.  So many things could have gone wrong, but the fact that they showed the one flag that would cause the most offense made it even more significant.

North and South Korea have had an extremely tense relationship since they separated after the Korean War in 1950, with fairly dangerous confrontations in the last few years. Since their separation, both countries have developed a completely different mentality and perception of the world.

South Korea is an established and prosperous democracy, where people enjoy a great degree of freedom and where individuality is increasingly considered and even expected. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, better known as North Korea, is a single-party communist country whose main value is self-reliance. People from North and South Korea may speak the same language or eat the same food, but they live differently and hold very different ideas and worldviews. Deep down, a national flag is a symbol of a country’s values and culture and North Koreans felt completely disrespected through this culturally insensitive error.

This embarrassing cultural faux-pas not only upset the Korean team, but it also upset their opposition and the spectators watching the event from the stadium and homes all across the whole world. The North Koreans felt offended and frustrated, even after their victory, which the coach said did not compensate for this cultural insensitivity. The North Koreans will struggle to ever forget this unfortunate error, despite the public apologies from the organisation.

After this event, there was even more pressure on how the London 2012 Olympic Games would run. Fortunately we can now look back on the summer games and say with pride that there were few culturally insensitive occurrences like this with such a significant impact. This reflects the required cultural sensitivity that everyone hoped the organisers could show as they staged this incredible world event.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2012

Tagged with: • • • • • • • •
Jul 16

Implementing a Global 360° Feedback Process across Cultures: Will it Really Work?

Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources No Comments »

360° feedback is one of the most widely used performance management strategies in global organisations today.  In fact, research shows that approximately 90% of all Fortune500 companies use some kind of 360° feedback technique.  One of the fundamental objectives of any 360° feedback is to improve the individual performance of employees in line with the organisation’s global priorities and requirements.

The principle of running an evaluation process to review and improve an employee’s performance is an important one, however the way this process is carried out may or may not be effective depending on where and how it is implemented.  Organisations looking to harness the benefits of effective global leadership and management must consider the cultural factors that can negatively influence a performance management process of this kind.

Business Writing Viorika Prikhodko i Implementing a Global 360° Feedback Process across Cultures: Will it Really Work?

© istockphoto.com/Viorika Prikhodko

So what is a 360° feedback process?

Before we explore what may or may not work across cultures, let’s first make sure we understand what a 360° feedback process is.  The process of using 360° feedback consists of providing an employee with feedback from different internal and external perspectives, in other words, it looks at feedback from a full 360° circle.  Each individual is objectively evaluated by colleagues both above and below their level as well as external counterparts to ensure a complete picture of their performance.

Once a combination of quantitative and qualitative feedback is collected, individuals will go through a series of review meetings to discuss the feedback and identify areas for improvement or reward.  During these 360° feedback review meetings the employee and their manager will share feedback, both positive and constructive, in order to highlight specific short and long-term actions to improve their performance.

What are the potential problems?

So what makes the implementation of a global 360° feedback process so difficult in a multicultural environment?

In many individual, task-oriented and egalitarian cultures like the US, UK, Finland or Germany, 360° feedback processes such as this can be very well received and effective.  In more collective, relationship-oriented and hierarchical cultures, this evaluation system is often extremely ineffective.  Although people from cultures like India, Spain and China will go through the process if required, the feedback collected and results of the meetings will not always be an accurate representation of the individual in question.

The assumption that feedback is welcomed and viewed as constructive is sometimes a one sided cultural perception.  In fact, people from collective cultures like those in Asia will often avoid criticism and refrain from negatively assessing an individual’s performances for fear of hurting the group harmony and causing loss of face.  This is particularly the case if the feedback is being requested by someone more senior than them, especially in cultures where hierarchy plays a key role in business and social interactions.

Asking for feedback from direct reports and superiors is just one cultural challenge of the 360° feedback process.  Sharing the feedback with the individual can be equally, if not more, challenging.  People from collective cultures like China may perceive the information as negative and embarrassing and may as a result feel isolated and depreciated in the workplace.  People from individually-oriented cultures like the US value honesty and since they believe that they have considerable control over their own behaviours and outcomes, they value direct feedback which will help them to improve their performance.

Cross-cultural challenges of 360° feedback

When you combine the potential cultural challenges of requesting and giving feedback with certain cultural attitudes without adapting the approach, you may waste considerable time and effort on a process that will not give you the desired results.

Here are two specific examples of how a 360° feedback process can be challenging across cultures:

  • Where the process is implemented directly from a culture like the US to a hierarchical and relationship oriented culture like India, you may have problems collecting valid feedback which is truly reflective of employee performance in that location.
  • Where the process is implemented between two people of opposing cultural approaches, such as in the case of a British manager and Thai subordinate, there is a risk of not only failing to collect legitimate feedback but also of causing offence and damaging the relationship.

How can we improve 360° feedback across cultures?

With the right cultural understanding and effective global leadership skills, there are many things that global managers can do to ensure the successful use of this evaluation system.  Here are a few simple ideas:

  • Amend the process so the upwards feedback is guaranteed to be anonymous
  • Make sure that you know what to ask for and be specific and clear in your requests
  • Clarify what kind of information you want to get and explain how you expect the feedback to be received or acted upon
  • Define the different grades on the scale to avoid initial misunderstandings and diverse interpretations
  • Ask your employees how they interpreted the feedback to check the accuracy of the assessment and whether the action plan correctly addresses the issue
  • Be a live example of how feedback should be shared and used

Despite the challenges that a 360° feedback process may present across cultures, organisations that take into consideration the cultural factors will see a significant difference.  Not only will they get the information they want but they will develop a pool of talented employees with a high level of performance and enhance positive interpersonal relationships among employees.  Considering how this process is impacted in a different cultural context will also help organisations to reduce confusion around expectations, motivate their employees’ professional and personal growth and improve everyone’s job performance.

Implementing a 360° feedback process can offer great results around the world, but only when culture is taken into account right from the outset.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2012

Tagged with: • • • • • • •
Jul 13

London 2012 Olympics Scheduled during Ramadan – Cultural Faux-Pas?

Cross Cultural Training, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector No Comments »

London’s Mayor and Culture Secretary are working hard to ensure that the London 2012 Olympics involve all of Britain’s ethnic groups equally. This may be more challenging than they thought, however, as the Olympics fall during the important religious event of Ramadan. Thousands of Muslims who will compete in, work or volunteer at this summer’s Olympic events will be left with the question on whether or not to follow Ramadan in the traditional sense this year.

The timing could not have been more inopportune, but there was no real choice for the LOCOG (London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games) to schedule the 2012 Olympics outside the Ramadan period. Being provided a strict window for the Games to take place by the International Olympic Committee and the need to consider aspects such as public transport in London and the availability of volunteers needed, they decided to schedule the Olympics from 27 July to 12 August, which lies in the middle of Ramadan.

Quran Koran Retrovizor i London 2012 Olympics Scheduled during Ramadan – Cultural Faux Pas?

© istockphoto.com/Retrovizor

The religious fasting period of Ramadan takes place this year from 20 July to 20 August. The period of Ramadan changes by about eleven days every year according to the lunar calendar. The 30 day long period of fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, considered to be a time of worship and closeness with God and therefore one of the most important celebrations for Muslims.

As most Muslims strictly fast from dawn until dusk during this period, the impact of Ramadan on personal and professional spheres must be acknowledged – not only in Arabic countries. The Olympics being a huge multicultural and multi-ethnic event will therefore require cross-cultural sensitivity towards this religious tradition and how it may impact everyone involved in the games.

Influence on Athletes

There are an estimated 3,000 Muslim athletes who may be impacted by Ramadan during the games this year. Fasting during the Olympics is not only inconvenient and challenging, but depending on the type of sport it could deplete an athlete’s liver and muscle glycogen stores and lead to dehydration and a drop in performance.

As Muslim athletes are usually allowed to defer their fasts, many of them are going to postpone the fasting period to maintain the performance they have been working so hard for during the last years. Not all Muslim sportsmen and women will do this, however, especially if not fasting during the holy month is frowned upon in their culture, so it’s important to be conscious of this.

Influence on Staff and Fans

Although the athletes are the ones which are most obviously influenced by the clash of these two important events, we cannot forget about the enormous number of Muslims who will work or volunteer at the Olympics or be watching the games as spectators. Organisers will need to consider the requirements they have for praying and eating during this period and provide the time and space they need to carry out these religious traditions.

What are they doing about it?

In order to meet athletes’ and workers’ Ramadan needs, organisers are putting in place a series of initiatives including:

  • Fast-breaking packs with dates and other traditional foods
  • Open dining facilities 24 hours a day so that competitors will be able to eat before dawn
  • Prayer rooms at every venue with Muslim clerics on hand to assist people
  • Large multi-faith centre at the Olympic village in Stratford with a common lounge and specific areas for the five largest faiths

The Olympic Games are a true test of London’s well-known multiculturalism and cross-cultural sensitivity. This great event will determine whether organisers have been able not only to make the most of London and its people but whether they can create an environment where all athletes will be able to have outstanding performances. All of this must be done with minimal frustration and difficulties to the organisers, athletes, volunteers and spectators as well as to the general population of London.

Some may argue that the organisers of the Olympics have made a cultural faux-pas by scheduling them during such an important religious event celebrated around the world. It should instead be considered as a cultural opportunity – a time when we can allow all cultures and traditions to shine in the face of adversity and challenge.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2012

Tagged with: • • • • • • • • • • • •
Jun 13

The London 2012 Olympics: A Sporting and a Cultural Challenge?

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector No Comments »

This summer London will be transformed into a city of sport, culture and celebration as it hosts the XXX Olympic Games. For more than 14,000 competing athletes, the London 2012 Olympics will be the peak of their sporting career. For the UK as host country, the organisers of the Games, volunteers, spectators and fans all around the world, the Olympics are much more than just a sporting event.

The London 2012 Olympics will bring millions of people of different nationalities and cultures to the capital to celebrate, volunteer or work at the event. For the Olympics to be a true global success, anyone involved in making them happen should understand not only the key principles of working effectively across culturesbut the historical roots and values of this world heritage sporting event.

Olympic Rings jokerproproduction i1 The London 2012 Olympics: A Sporting and a Cultural Challenge?

© istockphoto.com/jokerproproduction

Get Ready, Set, Go! The Origins of the Olympic Games

The Olympic Movement is named after Olympia, the city of its origin where the Games symbolised one of the many ways that Greeks worshipped their Gods. It originally involved a series of competitions held between representatives of city-states and kingdoms of ancient Greece. Although the exact date of the first Olympics is not known, the first record dates from 776 BC when Heracles together with his father Zeus stood as progenitors of the Games. According to legend it was Heracles who first called the Games ‘Olympic’ and established the custom of holding them every four years.

Running was the only event in the first 13 recorded Olympic Games. Events such as wrestling, boxing, horse riding and chariot racing were added later, but the main event of the ancient games was the pentathlon, a composition of running, jumping, javelin, discus and wrestling. The ancient Games reached their zenith in the sixth and fifth centuries BC before disappearing when the Romans grew more influential.

The Olympian Games were slowly brought back to existence in the 18th century when French Baron Pierre de Coubertin revived them as an international spectacle after founding the International Committee (IOC) in 1894. Two years later the first modern Olympic Games were hosted in the Panathenaic stadium in Athens bringing together 241 athletes from 14 nations who competed in 43 events.

Four years later, the Summer Olympics in Paris attracted more than four times as many athletes, including the first 20 women to ever participate. Apart from the 1916, 1940 and 1944 Olympics that were cancelled due to World War I and World War II, the popularity and size of the Olympic Games has steadily grown and now brings together more than 10,000 competitors from over 200 countries and millions of visitors from all over the world.

The Rings, Motto and the Flame: Key Values and Symbols of the Olympics

Pierre de Coubertin believed that sport could help to bring people together and celebrate cultural differences around the world. He felt the Olympics were an opportunity to apply important values to the sporting world as well as to education and society as a whole. The core values of respect, excellence and friendship are still core to the Olympics as we know them. The Olympics of our time also include determination, courage, inspiration and equality, all values added for the Paralympics. These were officially introduced at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, where 400 wheelchair athletes competed in the ‘Parallel Olympics’ for the first time. The idea was originally born in 1948 when neurologist Sir Ludwig Guttman began to use sport as part of the rehabilitation programmes of his patients who were mainly war veterans with spinal injuries.

The three core values of respect, excellence and friendship are conveyed through the Olympic symbols – the rings, the motto and the flame:

  • The motto ‘citius – altius – fortius’ (Latin for faster – higher – stronger) embodies the value of excellence by encouraging athletes to strive to do their best.
  • The most recognised symbol of the Olympics is the set of five coloured rings which embody the five continents. The rings represent respect and aim to bring together all nations without discrimination.
  • The flame symbolises friendship and peace between peoples. The flame is lit during a traditional ceremony in Greece at the Temple of Hera in ancient Olympia. From there the Olympic torch starts its journey through Greece and the host country until it arrives in the Olympic Stadium where it remains lit until the last day of the Olympics.

Going for Gold at the London 2012 Olympics: Making it Happen

As the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games approach, the eyes of the world are turning to the UK. After several years of careful planning, London will soon be put to the test and show whether it can live up to the world’s expectations.

According to the London Olympics official website up to 70,000 volunteers will take on a wide variety of roles across the venues, from welcoming visitors to transporting athletes, helping out behind the scenes in the technology team and much more. The volunteers, called ‘Games Makers’ as they are helping to make the Games happen, will come from a diverse range of communities and backgrounds from the UK and abroad.

In addition to these volunteers, there will be thousands of people employed to manage the security and maintenance at all of the Olympic sites. There are also countless Olympic officials, coaches, advisors and other organisers that must work together to make the games happen. From catering and hospitality, to cleaning, IT, ticketing and security, almost all conceivable jobs will be filled by more than 100,000 people, including students and those currently out of work.

Volunteers, employees, athletes and spectators at the London 2012 Olympic Games will need to find a way to work through any cultural or linguistic barriers they encounter in order to make this event a true success. Cross cultural training programmes like Working Effectively across Cultures can help anyone involved in making the Olympics happen to understand how they may need to adapt their approach to avoid misunderstandings and tension. After all, the Olympics are not just a sporting event but an opportunity to celebrate cultural difference in a peaceful, respectful and fun way.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2012

Tagged with: • • • • • • •
Apr 05

Celebrating Easter across Cultures – Easter Traditions around the World

Cross Cultural Training, Culture No Comments »

All over the world people are looking forward to the coming Easter Sunday which marks the height of the Holy Week and the end of the 40-day-long Lent period. Easter is an annual festival observed throughout the Christian world whose date shifts every year within the Gregorian calendar.

As Easter is always celebrated on the first Sunday after the ecclestical full moon following the Vernal Equinox it can be as early as 22 March or as late as 25 April. Depending on the predominant use of either the Gregorian or the Julian calendar Easter is celebrated on different dates. Western churches using the Gregorian calendar are celebrating Easter this year on 8 April while for Eastern Orthodox churches, using the Julian calendar, will celebrate it on 15 April.

Easter traditions throughout the world differ from country to country according to their ethnic and cultural origins. Working effectively across cultures requires an awareness of these differences and the varying degrees of importance placed on this holiday. Below are some customs and festivities you might come across when doing business in Russia, Australia, Norway or Mexico.

Easter Eggs gilaxia i Celebrating Easter across Cultures – Easter Traditions around the World

Celebrating Easter across cultures

Easter in Russia

Due to the coexistence of Western Christians and Eastern Orthodox Christians in Russia Easter is celebrated according to both traditions, this year either on 8 April or on 15 April. When doing business in Russia you should bear this in mind, as working hours can be disrupted differently.

One unique ritual that both denominations in Russia share is the picking of pussy willows. In this custom your neighbour or loved one pierces the branch of the soft blooms kept on their shoulder. Other traditions you may find when doing business in Russia at Easter include the colouring of eggs in bright and vibrant colours and Easter egg rolling contests.

After strict fasting and busy preparations for the Easter lunch on Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday is typically celebrated with an Easter breakfast or lunch. The typical food including Kulich (Easter bread), Paskha (a dish made from cheese and other ingredients) and eggs is sometimes blessed by the church before being eaten together in family circle.

Easter in Australia

Australia is a land of people belonging to different cultures which is why Easter celebrations take place in a variety of ways. Varied Easter festivals in Australia like ‘Perth International Arts Festival’, film festivals and the ‘Sydney Royal Easter Show’, an annual show featuring the varied multicultural heritage of the nation to the vitality of the city life are also showcased during this season.

Unlike most other countries the main Easter symbol in Australia is not the traditional bunny but the bilby – a small rodent with a long nose and ears just like a rabbit.  To show their concern for this endangered animal Australian chocolate manufacturers make Easter bilbies and share some of their profits to help to protect these animals from extinction.  Easter bilbies, eggs and chocolates form part of the custom of the Easter Hunt, where children hunt around their homes and gardens on Easter Sunday for hidden chocolates and eggs.

Easter in Norway

In Norway, the Easter holiday is longer than in many other European countries and therefore one of the most anticipated holidays as well. Beginning on Wednesday afternoon before Maundy Thursday, Easter in Norway lasts until Tuesday morning.

When living and working in Norway you will find that although Easter is a religious holiday, many do not celebrate is as such. Lots of people retreat to their cabins or go skiing instead. Nevertheless, Easter symbols like chickens, Easter eggs and Easter bunnies – all predominantly in yellow colour – as well as the custom of the Easter Hunt are typical in Norwegian culture.

One unique Easter tradition in Norway is reading Påskekrimmen (crime novels) or watching detective stories. Each year, nearly every TV channel produces a crime mystery for Easter and even the milk company prints family-friendly crime stories on their cartons.

Easter in Mexico

In contrast to some European countries Easter in Mexico still is of great religious importance and is therefore one of the most widely celebrated holidays of the year. Easter holidays are a combination of Semana Santa (Holy week), from Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) until Domingo de Pascua (Easter Sunday) and Pascua, celebrated from Resurrection Sunday until the following one. Only Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are public holidays, but students and many workers enjoy a two week break during this time.

The Easter week in Mexico, as well as in many other Latin American countries is filled with religious processions and passion plays of which the most important one is the presentation of the Vía Crucis which shows Jesus being sent to be crucified. When living and working in Mexico you won’t come across any mention of the Easter Bunny or chocolate eggs on Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday is generally a day when people go to Mass and celebrate quietly with their families, though in some places there are festivities with fireworks.

Easter traditions around the world can vary dramatically and be celebrated either with a deep religious meaning or just a family feast, providing time to relax. Working effectively across cultures requires an awareness of how this holiday is celebrated differently across cultures.  Respecting these differences and showing understanding will help you to avoid misunderstandings and frustrations with your international counterparts and build more effective long-term relationships.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2012

pixel Celebrating Easter across Cultures – Easter Traditions around the World
Tagged with: • • • • •
Previous Entries
preload preload preload
Allow Cookies?
Powered by Strategic Internet Consulting