cultural diversity

There are times when differences in culture can create misunderstandings in communications.  This has been a growing problem that can impede globalization.  However, the more one experiences a culture the more in tune they are to the cultural differences.
 
One of my own personal experiences with cultural diversity was when i spent 6 months in Taiwan visiting family.  I was raised in america, and it was my first time visiting Taiwan.  I spent a lot of time meeting and being introduced to cousins i never knew i had.

It was during this time where one of my younger cousins had a birthday.  So i spent some time thoughtfully picking a present for him.  I ended up buying one of the latest video games and wrapping it up.  I was pretty excited to see how he would react.  The second i came in i offered the present to him, and he thanked me, however, we were going out to see the city so we put the present aside and went out.  I didn't even notice that he didn't open the present until the day was already over.  I will admit i was a little disappointed not to see how he would react.

The next day i so happened to be visiting him again, so i asked about the present. he seemed surprised but acknowledged that the present was not yet opened. so i cheerfully said, lets open it now then!  This made him very uncomfortable and his mother asked me if that was what you would do in America.  Now at this point in time i was becoming confused. This was quite some time ago and this was the first time out of the country.  I had little understanding of cultural differences, and always accepted what i was familiar with.  To me, opening up a present in front of the presenter was just common sense.  How else would we see their faces when they open it? well, in Taiwan, presents are accepted unopened, and opened later.  This is to prevent any strange behavior if the present is good or bad.  The best way for cultural differences to be resolved is to explain them.  When my cousins mom explained the way the culture was in receiving gifts, and i explained how we do things, we came to understand that the act of not opening my gift was not personal and the act of opening the gift in front of me would be uncomfortable with them.  She offered to open the present and follow my customs, but after understanding what i was asking, i thought it best to follow their customs instead.

Its not every time that cultural differences can be explained before they create problems.  for instance without understanding it i may have thought it rude that my present wasn't opened, while my cousin may have been embarrassed to have to acknowledge the gift i gave to him in front of me.  I like to think that an open mind and communications can help achieve resolutions.  However, if i find it rude or if i was narrow minded, i may not accept that other customs are equally as good as my own.