Bonding across cultures
It’s a cliché to say that cultures are often divergent in their details, even though languages might be shared.
On closer observation however, it becomes clear that individuals can only understand what this statement means when they see and experience examples of the way it works in practice.
In some parts of the world, it might appear as if people are warm, accessible and easy to get to know. They might be well equipped in dealing with unfamiliar faces upon initial contact, but after a while they are not so good at being socially flexible, or intimate.
Conversely, those from other cultures who initially come across as insular might have another process for getting to know people. Eventually they relax and become more inclined toward sustaining acquaintance and friendships.
In situations where there are no umpires or mediators to explain these modes of behaviour, misunderstandings often occur.
