A Cross-Cultural Simulation
by Linda OlsonCross-cultural interaction and relationship-building don't always happen easily. Ever wonder why?
To help you and your group become aware of behaviors that may be automatic or not so automatic to us, depending on our cultural upbringing, try some creative simulations. The following can be used at any regular meeting. You just need to plan a little extra time, or shorten your speaker’s time to no more than 15-20 minutes, to allow for discussion on the issues of differences and attitudes towards people behaving differently. Here is how it works:
- Make copies of the four Secret Instructions For Your Eyes Only on the following pages. Cut out the four different groups of instructions to be distributed evenly in your group. Each person should get just one of the secret instructions to act out during the meeting.
- Tell the group they are to read their individual instructions by themselves, and not let anybody else know what they are. Tell them they should intentionally act the way their instructions indicate for the time you specifiy.
- Conduct your meeting as normal (or as normally as you can anyway).
- At the end, allow at least 20 minutes to discuss the questions provided below.
Instruction Sheets
Make copies and cut out the four different instructions to be distributed evenly in your group. Each person should only get one of the instructions.
Secret Instructions For Your Eyes Only
Please read this quietly, and do not discuss it with anyone during the meeting.
You come from a cultural group that believes men and women ought to remain separate in social settings, especially religious meetings. 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 church or spiritual group meetings. Women usually sit on one side and men on the other. Please keep within this role during the meeting.
Secret Instructions For Your Eyes Only
Please read this quietly, and do not discuss it with anyone during the meeting.
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. 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. Please keep within this role during the meeting.
Secret Instructions For Your Eyes Only
Please read this quietly, and do not discuss it with anyone during the meeting.
You come from a fairly reserved cultural group which enjoys order and simplicity in life. Church-type meetings often reflect this with a time for quiet reflection before the service. You greet people quietly and swiftly. You are more interested in preparing quietly for the meeting. Try to take that time now to prepare yourself by reading your Bible or just quietly praying. During the meeting it is important for you to demonstrate a learning attitude by listening attentively, seriously and quietly. Please keep within this role during the meeting.
Secret Instructions For Your Eyes Only
Please read this quietly, and do not discuss it with anyone during the meeting.
You come from a demonstrative cultural group. Hugs are your natural form of greeting. You enjoy talking about your spiritual life and what God has done. Worship never seems authentic without up-stretched hands and enthusiastic singing. During any speaker’s message, you gladly offer support by punctuating her or his statements with, “That’s right!” or “You got it!” or “The Lord is speaking to us” and so forth. Please keep within this role during the meeting.
Debriefing
After the meeting, spend about 20 minutes answering the following questions:
- What did you think and feel as you discovered others behaving differently than you?
- What differences did you notice?
- How did your attitude towards these differences affect the way you viewed the people exhibiting them?
- How do you think these differences would affect the development of friendship over time, if these behaviors were strongly adhered to?
- What do we know from Scripture that might help us accept cultural differences?
- What did you learn about yourself, and how can you act on that knowledge in your life?
PRAY about the things that were discussed—the surprises, the feelings and thoughts, and the lessons learned.
ASK GOD for racial and cultural wisdom and healing among your group.
PRAY also for heightened sensitivity in your group toward cultural differences, especially as you witness to others.
PRAY for those you know working in cross-cultural ministry, that they will integrate into the other culture well, and be able to deepen authentic relationships cross-culturally.
PRAY that sharing the Gospel will not be hindered by cultural differences.
Permission granted for duplication of this article for limited campus group or church use only.
Unless otherwise noted, all materials on the urbana.org web site are Copyright InterVarsity Christian Fellowship / USA. All rights reserved.
Print
Email
Comments
Be the first one to add a comment.
To post a comment, please login or register