Cultural “Other” Awareness (Concept)

Cultural awareness involves recognizing one's own cultural influences while also understanding the values, beliefs, and practices of others. It goes beyond simple recognition, requiring individuals to actively appreciate and engage with different cultures in a respectful and informed way. This awareness is important in reducing stereotypes, biases and misunderstandings that may arise from cultural differences (Oxford Review, n.d.). Closely related to this is the concept of cultural perspective, which explains how an individual’s background, environment and social influences shape their worldview, beliefs and actions.

Reflecting on this week's lesson, the idea of high-trust and low-trust societies stood out to me. In the video featuring Michael Moore, Canada is shown as a high-trust society where people feel safe leaving their doors unlocked. In contrast, in Brunei, although the country is generally peaceful, most people still lock their doors, especially at night, due to occasional theft cases. This reflects a more cautious level of trust, where safety is prioritized despite relatively low crime rates. It shows how trust is shaped not only by crime levels but also by social habits and perceptions of risk.

Comparing Brunei and Japan reveals both similarities and differences. Both cultures strongly value politeness, respect and social harmony. However, Japanese society tends to place greater emphasis on personal space and indirect communication. For example, in situations like riding an elevator with strangers, individuals in Japan may avoid interaction, whereas I would smile or give a small nod as a form of acknowledgment. Similarly, when passing people on the street, I would smile at those I know or return a smile out of respect, reflecting the friendly and community-oriented nature of Bruneian culture. 

From a cultural perspective, these behaviors are shaped by social norms. According to Hall (1976), both Brunei and Japan can be considered high-context cultures, where communication relies heavily on unspoken cues and shared understanding. However, Japan tends to express this through silence and minimal interaction, whereas Brunei expresses it through warmth and subtle social gestures. This suggests that even within similar cultural frameworks, differences in social expression can lead to distinct everyday behaviors.

The Conan O'Brien video further demonstrates how cultural misunderstandings can arise, particularly in humor and public behavior. Conan's expressive and spontaneous actions contrast with the Japanese couple's polite and reserved responses, highlighting differences in communication styles. Actions that are considered entertaining in one culture may feel uncomfortable or inappropriate in another. This emphasizes the importance of cultural awareness in reducing misunderstandings and promoting empathy.

In conclusion, developing cultural "other" awareness allows individuals to better understand diverse perspectives and adapt to different social environments. By recognizing both differences and shared values between cultures such as Brunei and Japan, we can communicate more effectively and build stronger intercultural relationships.


References

Hall, E. T. (1976). Beyond Culture. Anchor Books.

Oxford Review. (n.d.). Cultural Awareness Definition and Explanation. https://oxford-review.com/the-oxford-review-dei-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-dictionary/cultural-awareness-definition-and-explanation/

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