A Cross Cultural Simulation

Cross cultural simulations are great for, well, just what they say they're for - simulating cross cultural experiences.  But whether or not your own group contains any array of cultures, these simulations are also great for launching discussions about how accurate our perceptions about people are and how we can best be and work together.  For that reason, we love to use them early on in the year, when folks are starting to form impressions of others but are beginning to do things as a group.

Here is one to try with your own group, during any regular meeting or activity (cooking a meal, playing a game, doing a scavenger hunt, etc.):

Copy and evenly distribute one of the four following instructions below to every person in your group before you begin your meeting.  Instruct them to read them silently, intentionally act as their instructions indicate during your meeting, and not share with anyone else what their instructions are. Conduct your meeting, allowing at least 30 minutes or more to debrief.

INSTRUCTIONS

1)

You come from a cultural group that believes men and women ought to remain separate in social settings. You may greet the opposite sex with a quick “Hi”, but you would never shake hands or touch. Such demonstrations often carry sexual connotations. You do approve of touch among same sex groups, since it does not hold the same implications. You prefer to be seated in same sex groups during meetings. Women usually sit on one side and men on the other.

2)

You come from a cultural group that is lively and warm in relationships. It is common to greet people with light cheek-to-cheek greetings, hugs and touching while talking. With those you do not know as well, you would at least extend a warm, long handshake. Friendships are important, and you ask lots of questions about the well-being of a person. Gender-mixed relationships are common and touch is a sign of acceptance, nothing more.

3)

You come from a fairly reserved cultural group which enjoys order and simplicity in life. You greet people quietly, politely and swiftly. You are more interested in personal reflection and inner awareness during any group activity. During the group activity it is important for you to demonstrate a learning attitude by listening attentively, seriously and quietly. It is more important for you to be aware of yourself than it is for the group to “succeed” at its task. Tasks come and go, but personal insight is everything

4)

You come from a competitive, task-oriented cultural group. You enjoy competition and you want to do a good job on the group task. To get things done, your group needs a plan, a leader and some enthusiastic participants. Too much small talk can be a waste of time. You like to get down to business. 

DEBRIEF

What happened?

How did you feel?

What did you think about others and why?

What if you knew why others were behaving as they were?

What specific real life situations does this remind you of?
What did you do during this simulation that worked for you?  

What could others have done differently to make our meeting go more smoothly?

What could you have done differently to make our meeting go more smoothly?

Would you have had to break any of your rules in order for our meeting to go more smoothly?