When we encounter another person’s behavior, we do not just observe what they are doing; we also attach meaning to that behavior and then act based on that meaning. Our interpretation of that meaning is based on our own programming. Lee Gardenswartz’s and Anita Rowe’s in Managing Diversity (1993) provides an example in Japan where one is often bumped by strangers on the street or subway. When no “excuse me” accompanies the offense, cultural programming may cause an American to react to what is felt to be rude and inconsiderate treatment. 

We may not know that we are offending others or that they are offending us. Because we tend to operate on the basis of our own set of meanings and assumptions; we may inadvertently offend others by misinterpreting them. Unknowingly we may hurt, demean, disrespect, or attribute unfair intentions.

How does misinterpretation happen? According to Gardenswartz’s and Rowe’s description of Adler and Kiggunder ‘s work, when we encounter another’s behavior we need to make sense of it, so we follow a three-step process. First, we describe what we see, as in the case of the Japanese woman bumping into the American vacationer: “This Japanese woman did not acknowledge bumping into the American man.” Second, we interpret the behavior: “She should have apologized.” Third, we make an evaluation: She and perhaps the entire culture are rude for not apologizing.” Steps two and three are the ones that get us into trouble in our intercultural interactions. 

A critical step in bridging the gap is learning more about other’s cultural programming so that we can avoid making incorrect assumptions about someone’s behavior. For example in the above case, the Japanese woman did not consider bumping someone in public at all offensive and would not expect to give or receive an apology. Acting on the initial interpretation would be inappropriate in that context. Knowledge gives us the ability to alter our interpretations and minimize the chance that misunderstanding could escalate.

One caveat in this process, there is no checklist to describe the characteristics of cultural norms that will “fit” everyone in that culture. We must always keep in mind that societies are highly heterogeneous and include a diverse mix of people (immigrants, refugees, and different generations to name just a few). Moreover, cultures are fluid and change in relation to changing physical, social, economic and political circumstances. Becoming aware of our normal repertoire of interpretations and holding back judgment will help us become more inclusive.

Opportunities for Cultural Interpretation:

• A Hispanic teacher wears a dress and high heels to an environmental field trip.
• An urban student won’t touch the soil in one of your “hands-on” activities.
• A non-EE organizational representative doesn’t come back to your groups’ next EE meeting.