Cultural Differences In Doing Things

Cross-Cultural Differences

Yesterday we looked at cultural differences in the words “respect” and “civic duties”.  Today, let’s look at some cultural differences in some ordinary ways of doing things.

Cultural Differences Selling Eggs

In the United States eggs need to be refrigerated.  It is advised to get them into a fridge within a very short time after buying them.

In France eggs are not refrigerated.

Why?  Are the hens different on each side of the Atlantic?

As usual, the answer is simply in different ways of doing things.

In the United States eggs are cleaned before they are sold and this destroys the natural protection the hen gives to its eggs.

In France eggs do not go through the same process.  Eggs still have this protective covering and do not need to be refrigerated.

Is there a right or wrong way?  No.  These are just different ways of doing things.

Someone, somewhere, at some time decided their country should or should not clean their eggs.  And they probably weighed the pros and cons before taking the best decision they could.

Do these two different ways of doing things cause problems?

No, not for the people living in their own country.

The only problems this causes is when the two cultures collide:

• Americans in France can be afraid of buying eggs when they find them for sale… outside of refrigeration.  Until they understand that this in normal.
• French people living in America need to brush up on how long they can leave the eggs in their car after buying them in the store… or increase the risk of getting sick.

Differences In Electricity

Now, I am no electrician, but I live in an old French house and also read American press.

There are different standard health and safety rules in different countries…

And this means that the electricity in my house in France is rigged differently than it would be in a standard house in America.

When there is an electrical security threat, the main electricity box in my French house cuts off all electricity.  The compulsory electrical security standards are apparently different for American homes.

This means I do not need to invest in smoke alarms to warn me of electrical fires.  Smoke alarms would help for other fires though.

It also means that it is more expensive for me to upkeep an old house in France.  And I cannot choose cheaper options.

Is there a right or wrong way here?  No, not really.  Just different ways of doing things.

Someone, somewhere, at some time decided this was the best decision to make for their country.

Differences In Obligatory Vaccinations

Here is another example of different health regulations.

In France a number of vaccinations against childhood diseases are obligatory… and some of them are controlled.  This includes the vaccination against Tuberculosis.

The United States takes a different approach.  The TB vaccination is not given to children.  But in certain circumstances, they do require tests to prove that you do not have TB.

I have met several American families who live in France for a short number of years and then return to the United States.

These families had to go through much red tape here in France to NOT vaccinate their children against TB and then be able to live in the United States hassle free.

Remember a vaccination is a minuscule amount of the disease injected in your body to stimulate a response and ward off any future illness.

France and the United States are not the only countries with health regulations that differ from other countries.

My eldest daughter was born in England.  The hospital staff jabbed her heel with something immediately upon birth, without asking me and without telling me what it was.  Simply because it was the practice there and I had no choice in the matter.  And this is not on the list of compulsory injections in France.

Different countries have different health regulations.

Your own personal feelings about vaccinations may influence your opinion.  But if you had grown up in another culture, would you really feel the same way?

Is there a right or wrong way?  No, not really.

Someone, somewhere, at some time, decided this was the best decision to make for their country.

Cultural Differences In Business

When you begin to expand your business internationally, you will probably be confronted with different ways of doing things.  Most people find this a nuisance or a hurdle, or even a learning curve.

Have a look at the examples above once again.

Cultural differences also impact the very nature of your business.

In some cases these differences are constraints.

…and in other cases they can represent business opportunities.

More on Cross-Cultural Differences:

• A Comparison Of Words In Different Cultures
• Cultural Differences In Doing Things
• Culture Changes How Brains Work
• Different Countries = Different Rules
• Different Eye Tracking For Different Cultures
• Free Courses, Content And Culture Scams
• Music In Cultural Differences
• Why These Colors?

More In These Get International Clients Business Guides:

• Connect With Your International Markets
• Culture Customized Content
• Cultural Web Tools

Tagged as: ccc, Cross-Cultural Communication, cultural differences, eggs, electricity, vaccinations

Want to learn how to avoid cultural blunders? Subscribe to this blog feed. Need to turbo charge your cultural skills? Get my short cross-cultural communication tips. Ready for serious international marketing? Skype me or email me & let's grow your business.