Living in New Zealand

Cultural difference is real. Every society has its own way of doing things, which might be very distinguished from other cultures. Getting to learn from other culture puts us in a better place to understand and appreciate members of that particular culture other than stereotyping them. Across every culture, there are certain dos and don’ts. For example, when you go to New Zealand and find that they do stand in organized queues. You should not do the opposite. In order to navigate through in a new society and to cope with their way of doing things, it is important to learn.

There are various ways through which an individual may learn the dos and don’ts of a news culture. Through curiosity, one can easily learn the dos and don’ts of a given culture. Curiosity is the inquisitiveness and the desire to learn and know more about what is seen or experienced. For instance, in Norway, when people struggle in lines other than patiently wait to be served, it is important to observe and inquire why they behave that way.

This will help you understand the motive of their behaviors and makes you understand that particular culture. In Finland for instance, people are likely to be distance apart while in lines. Curiosity and desire to know more about why they line that way will make you understand that they value personal space. Other than curiosity, sometimes it is important to listen to members of that particular culture. For instance, while driving in Norway carrying a Norwegian, they are likely to advise you to keep driving between the lines.

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It is important to listen and learn from what they tell or advise you.

Historical origins of the type of social structure, which exist in New Zealand, can basically be linked to their ancestors. History of New Zealand can be traced when Polynesians who are the ancestors of New Zealand developed a distinct Maori culture. The ancient Maori culture initiated by the ancestors had distinct ways of approaching religion, language and its traditions, which have continued to shape societal structure in New Zealand up to date (Hirsch, 2013).

Even though a lot of changes have occurred due to modernization and intercultural interactions, the social structures put in place by the ancestors have continued to exist. The ancestors placed a solid foundation that people have continued to be on to data. New Zealand has managed to maintain its historic roots. For instance, New Zealand’s social structure can be described as basically a tribal one. This can be traced to the ancestral Maori social structure where tribe was basically the largest political unit comprising of members who are seemingly coming from a common descendant. For more political in the ancestral Maori society in New Zealand, sub-tribe was even considered most effective. Sub-tribe was a unit with even stronger ties whose members were identified by both their geographical residence as well as descents (Hirsch, 2013). Family was an important structural unit in ancient Maori culture. Even though family was not clearly defined, there is evidence that it served various functions including taking care of the young ones. Additionally, the fact that one could inherit land from either their father or mother indicates that there were ties with the ancestral Maori families.

Even though New Zealand over time has witnessed significant changes and evolutions, and has become a more diverse place than before, it has managed to maintain most of its historical structure in place.

References

1. Hirsch, R. E. (2013). New Zealand. Minneapolis, MN: ABDO Publishing Company.
2. Pellegrino, R. (2014, Oct 21). Cross cultural communication. Retrieved From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMyofREc5Jk