Critical Incidents: Cultural Dimensions 1

In this lesson we would like to sum up the content of the entire course and connect it with practical cases of critical incidents in intercultural communication.

What is culture?

You remember the dimensions of culture introduced by Geert Hofstede? Some examples may show that differences referring to those dimensions can cause critical incidents in the interaction of persons from differing cultural backgrounds:

Example 1

You work with asylum seekers who live in a collective accommodation centre. Now some of them who already have jobs and good language skills  have been granted a temporary residence permit, and they would like to move to decentralised apartments.


DFID – UK department for International Development, flickr

You have discussed this issue with a young Syrian family and offered support if they needed it. You also informed them about several ways of seeking for accommodation in your city.

After some weeks you meet the Syrian family again and ask what they have done for finding an apartment. The man looks at you in a surprised manner and replies: You did not tell us that we should do anything. We were waiting for you to find us an accommodation.

What is the problem here? Please think about the Power Distance Index and the acceptance of inequality! Do you have a suggestion how to resolve the problem?
Example 2
What is the problem in the conversation presented in the above video? Which cultural contrasts can be seen here? Please think about the cultural dimension „Individualism versus Collectivism“! What would you suggest to the dialogue partners?

Project Partners

Casework is a cooperation between the Innovation in Learning Institute (ILI), the ECC Association for Interdisciplinary Consulting and Education, the INTRGEA Institute for Development of Human Potentials, and Oxfam Italy. More info…