From your own cultural perspective?
Can you shift your perspective a bit, peek round the edges, understand someone else's worldview, so that you can have a meaningful conversation?
Ethnocentrism is the tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of one's own culture. Ethnocentrism often entails the belief that one's own race or ethnic group is the most important and/or that some or all aspects of its culture are superior to those of other groups. Within this ideology, individuals will judge other groups in relation to their own particular ethnic group or culture, especially with concern to language, behavior, customs, and religion. These ethnic distinctions and sub-divisions serve to define each ethnicity's unique cultural identity. From Wikipedia
Ethnocentrism is not bad. It just is. To be aware of it and work with or around it is the key to good cross-cultural relationships. This has been my world for the past 25 years. To be flexible, yet know who I am. I am not necessarily my culture alone, though it flavours and enriches me.
What examples do you see of ethnocentrism?
Books published in America are often America-centric. Many of the TV shows which are later sold to broadcasters in other countries are also focused on America. Okay. But that does limit their market, their impact, their acceptance.
Other examples?
Comments