We need to encourage ourselves to get outside our comfort zones without making others uncomfortable. Curiosity is a huge asset for creating the necessary interest and motivation for working and relating with people from different cultural backgrounds. However, it needs to be guided by these three capabilities: knowledge, strategy, and moderate behavior. Think about when it is better to delay your curiosity or even give up some of the cultural experiences you would like to have. Sometimes, they may do more harm than good.
Still, the author of an article on the management-issues.com website says it makes sense for business travelers to go beyond the hotel lounge and walk through the local streets experiencing some of the local culture.
Curious visitors or intruders?
He and his family took a brief vacation in Panama and rented a house in a coastal village. They asked the locals to tell them their favorite place to eat. They went there by public transit. On the way, they observed local people and their everyday lives. But then they started to wonder if their curiosity was intruding. Behind the hospitable welcome there was a growing concern that foreigners were taking over the island. Sure, foreigners created new opportunities for business, but most of the foreigners simply stay and eat at other foreigner’s businesses.
The complexities related to tourism and business traveling: Curiosity is not enough
While curiosity about other cultures is a good thing, there is the risk of being offensive and people sometimes need to be restrained. Political correctness alone is not the right way to create a culturally intelligent environment. It is important to temper expressing your curiosity if you are not sure of the impact of your questions.
-jk-