“Culture” is how we describe food and eating habits, gender roles, rituals, communication patterns, and use of free time within a society. When we talk about culture, we refer to either surface culture or deep culture.

1: Cultural Dimensions 🎎

  1. Power Distance : This is the extent to which people accept an unequal, unfair distribution of power. This could be due to group values, the patriarchy, how one was raised, etc. In a culture with a high power distance, the employees accept the boss’s total authority, but in cultures with lower power distance, decision making and day to day processes are more collaborative.
  2. Uncertainty Avoidance: Uncertainty avoidance is simply cultures that avoid what is unfamiliar to them - It’s how much they tolerate uncertainty, ambiguity, and the unknown. In cultures with lower uncertainty avoidance, ideas are more free flowing and open minded to new things - In cultures with higher uncertainty avoidance, they tend to be less open minded about matters such as the LGBTQIA, how one dresses, love vs arranged marriages, divorce, etc.
  3. Masculinity VS Femininity: Basically how Hofstede perceived Masculine VS Feminine Energy, and essentially states that Masculinity prioritises ambition, wealth, and power, while stressing gender roles (to protect their masculinity ew), whereas Femininity prioritises being caring and nurturing, emphasising sexuality, equality, and more fluid gender roles. (coquette aesthetic moment)
  4. Long Term VS Short Term Orientation: Cultures such as Japan, follow short term orientation, where they focus more on immediate gratification and quick results - They value traditions and norms and prioritise money and quick games. They’d rather maintain stability and respect for their ancient traditions than take a risk and deviate from what they know to invest in long term goals. Cultures such as Germany or the USA however, place strong emphasis on efficiency, planning,and long term thinking for the future - They’d rather suffer for a little bit and delay immediate rewards for future benefits This means prioritisation of education and future.

Essentially: Long term orientations fosters virtues oriented towards future rewards, while short term fosters virtues related to the past and present: Preserving face, following tradition, etc. (Korea, Japan and India are good example of Short term Oriented countries, while Germany, The USA, and the UK are examples of Long term oriented countries)

  1. Indulgence VS Restraint: Finally, Indulgent cultures are cultures that freely allow gratification of desires that allow individuals to enjoy life and have fun. Restrained cultures have strict social norms and discourage acting simply out of want. Indulgent cultures allow you to have fun, such as the USA or Germany, whereas Restrained cultures once again preserve face, such as Japan, China and Korea.

Simpler Explanation

  1. Power distance index: the extent to which a culture respects authority and status.
  2. Individualism vs. collectivism: the degree to which people are integrated into groups. Sometimes referred to as an “I” vs. a “we” orientation.
  3. Uncertainty avoidance index: a society’s tolerance for ambiguity. Tolerance for ambiguity means less strict rules in society and an openness to change.
  4. Masculinity vs. femininity: Masculine societies are defined by a focus on achievement, competition, and wealth; feminine societies focus on cooperation, relationships, and quality of life.
  5. Long-term vs. short-term orientation: the connection to the past and attitude toward the future. Short-term orientation means that traditions are kept. Long-term orientation has more of a focus on the future.
  6. Indulgence vs. restraint: Indulgent cultures allow people to enjoy life and have fun. Restrained cultures have stricter control through strict social norms. Indulgent cultures tend to believe that they are in control of their lives; restrained cultures are more fatalistic.

Deeper Study on 6th Cultural Dimension: Individualism VS Collectivism