Birkat Al Mouz, Nizwa, Muscat, As Sifah, Jebel Akdhar, Wadi Mayh, Sur, Ras Al Hadd, Ras Al Jinz, Al Asala... Lena and I are rediscovering Oman, and loving it!
As the world ‘gets smaller,’ thanks to greater travel opportunities, greater affluence, and the broader effects of the World Wide Web, cultures get exposed to others in a process that can be uniquely rewarding. Especially around Christmas and New Year there is so much more travel, all over and across the globe, most often to visit friends and relations. However, due to our thirst for different experiences, many want to try new experiences, often with their children.
Within this, unintended cultural clashes can occur from the most innocent of situations, so whichever side of the cultural divide we are on, it pays to remind ourselves of the pitfalls and necessities of cultural awareness if we travel or host those from another environment.
Culture shock can occur from immersion in a new culture, for a short time, even for a few days. While the ‘tourist’ may be nervous because they do not speak the host’s language, know their customs, or understand their daily routines and behaviour in daily life. They may also find that friendliness does not necessarily mean friendship, or that attempts to share humour may miss their mark. Uncertainty as to whether to shake hands, to kiss on one cheek or two during an embrace, how or when to start a conversation, or how to approach someone they don’t know.
This can lead to a ‘push back,’ and to reject not only what they have found difficult, but the entire environment and experience. They often take refuge in feeling that their own culture is bigger, better, brighter, and in every way superior, making this widely known, and creating a more antagonistic environment than is appropriate. The complexity and the extent of culture shock are consequently, and significantly affected by fragility in their sense of security, their linguistic abilities, even their personality.
For example, I’m going to the Kruger Park in South Africa next year, chaperoning a student group as they work alongside locals to ensure the work that is relevant to the needs of their communities. Africa is a much-storied land of drama, violence, history, danger, colour, life, and death.
Therefore, the difference will be light years away from that of the West. Appreciating the niceties and sensitivities of the local tribes will be essential to enjoying a quality working and cultural experience in an environment where the native Xhosa, Zulu, Tsonga, Ndebele, and the mainly Dutch and German settlers share the land for mutual benefit, in what has become a huge cultural melting pot.
Speaking of which, the local ethnic cuisine which I’m really looking forward to. I also want to enjoy the local brai, or barbeque. I’m not a sophisticated foodie... but I do like a good feed!
The most difficult thing for any traveller is to ‘leave home, at home’ and embrace the ‘other world,’ experience. These students must keep an open mind and a positive attitude, especially considering it will not be a leisure holiday, but a working experience that will open the students up to meeting new and different people who have very different ways of living, be sharing their food, appreciating the most precious thing may well be a glass of water, and so much more.
They will need their resilience to overcome the challenges they will surely face, and to be patient in developing an understanding of how different we can be. I just know the students I will chaperone in the world’s most famous wildlife park, ‘The Kruger,’ will have the cultural experience of a lifetime, and hopefully, improve lives through work projects in community health, education, wildlife, and conservation environments, as the Turing Foundation seeks to offer “sustainable and transformative experiences that provide real value where it’s most needed.”
Hopefully to develop compassionate young adults who understand the political, social, and economic nature of other cultures.
Culture is something we should all appreciate and respect, something I’m doing right now as I travel throughout the Sultanate, greeting old and new friends along the way... and it feels great.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
