Culture: The Lens Through Which We Interpret Life

This is the secret sauce: we choose to study culture because it is the fastest way to learn across deeper differences. We also allow each person to define themselves. We never stereotype, but instead seek cultural generalizations to guide us to common ground where we can receive what they are saying, without interpreting it solely through our own worldview or cultural lens. 

In any case, this powerful solution holds true: taking time to understand how person views life will always build a stronger connection than accepting a label.

Here, we recognize that each person has a ‘worldview’, whether they consciously choose their views or not. This the lens, guided by a set of beliefs and values, that ultimately drives our actions. Research shows that, most of our beliefs and values are deeply informed by the culture around them.

Culture could greatly defined by of our geographical or family history, or it may be shaped by where we spend most of our time (hint: think things that create strong subcultures like sports, education, religion, hobbies).

At the end of the day, the discovery of your own worldview or ‘cultural lens’ as the starting point to building bridges across differences.