3 ms·

There is also the alternative of treating humans as humans first, if you don't know much about them, except their looks and their passport nationality. And not

by lukan 2y ago

There is also the alternative of treating humans as humans first, if you don't know much about them, except their looks and their passport nationality. And not assuming one has these and those traits, because they look "asian", but were raised in the US for example. I know I met many people from many backgrounds all over the world and my thinking in boxes default mode, was never really helpful, but often very wrong. So it is good to know what some common traits are for a person from a certain cultural background, but not with the assumption that the individual in front of you is in fact like this. That can also offend people. For example some cultures do not like to shake hands. Germans usually do, but personally I also don't. So just be conscious and try to read body language, would be my advice. And in case of doubt, asking a person on the side and not in front of everyone usually works to work around missunderstandings.

kaba0 2y ago
Well, the differences between western cultures are less pronounced, but I do think that knowing, say, Chinese etiquette when meeting mainland Chinese people is essential to not come across accidentally as rude. There are significant differences there, and natural body language does differ with culture. Nonetheless, I agree with your general point/sentiment.
- lukan 2y ago
  "Chinese etiquette when meeting mainland Chinese people is essential to not come across accidentally as rude" For sure. And I read up about any culture I visit the first time. But chinese are quite different from mongolians and thais for example. So my issue was especially with "asian". This term is allmost meaningless to me, as it puts billions of different people in one basket.
lmm 2y ago
> There is also the alternative of treating humans as humans first No there isn't, that's the same thing as just putting everyone in the "world" box. Which tends to boil down to just treating everyone like a member of your own culture (since most of the people from the world you've met are from your own culture), and ends up being worse.
- lukan 2y ago
  "Which tends to boil down to just treating everyone like a member of your own culture " Not at all. If you want it in programming language: - there is a general human interface, a bit like you talk with people online (ideally like around here on HN) - then there is the more specialized interface with your local countrymen - and way more specialized, close friends, family - you can adress them in a way deeper interface Or do you talk around here, like you talk with your peers around you? Would you know I am german, if I would not have disclosed it?
  - lmm 2y ago
    > - then there is the more specialized interface with your local countrymen If this is a good thing then surely it's good to do the same for other countries and regions. Occasionally there will be an individual from one of those countries/regions who is more like the average human than like the average human from their country/region, sure - but that's also the case with people from my local country. > Or do you talk around here, like you talk with your peers around you? Would you know I am german, if I would not have disclosed it? I am extremely conscious that HN is an American cultural space and one has to talk in specifically American ways to avoid getting downvoted or worse. It's not remotely a "neutral world human" way of interacting with people. If you came to my country I would hope you wouldn't act like you were on HN, there's already enough American cultural imperialism here as it is.
    - lukan 2y ago
      You are right, that in many political topics, american culture is dominating here. But I don't think it is true for technical topics. And many people here, including the moderation in my perspective, try to keep it as neutral as possible. And the way to talk about technical things - to the point, no personal attacks, no ambiguity if possible, but clearly articulated - this is the way I also try to communicate in international settings.

by lukan 2y ago

kaba0 2y ago

Well, the differences between western cultures are less pronounced, but I do think that knowing, say, Chinese etiquette when meeting mainland Chinese people is essential to not come across accidentally as rude. There are significant differences there, and natural body language does differ with culture. Nonetheless, I agree with your general point/sentiment.

lukan 2y ago
"Chinese etiquette when meeting mainland Chinese people is essential to not come across accidentally as rude" For sure. And I read up about any culture I visit the first time. But chinese are quite different from mongolians and thais for example. So my issue was especially with "asian". This term is allmost meaningless to me, as it puts billions of different people in one basket.

lmm 2y ago

> There is also the alternative of treating humans as humans first No there isn't, that's the same thing as just putting everyone in the "world" box. Which tends to boil down to just treating everyone like a member of your own culture (since most of the people from the world you've met are from your own culture), and ends up being worse.

lukan 2y ago
"Which tends to boil down to just treating everyone like a member of your own culture " Not at all. If you want it in programming language: - there is a general human interface, a bit like you talk with people online (ideally like around here on HN) - then there is the more specialized interface with your local countrymen - and way more specialized, close friends, family - you can adress them in a way deeper interface Or do you talk around here, like you talk with your peers around you? Would you know I am german, if I would not have disclosed it?
- lmm 2y ago
  > - then there is the more specialized interface with your local countrymen If this is a good thing then surely it's good to do the same for other countries and regions. Occasionally there will be an individual from one of those countries/regions who is more like the average human than like the average human from their country/region, sure - but that's also the case with people from my local country. > Or do you talk around here, like you talk with your peers around you? Would you know I am german, if I would not have disclosed it? I am extremely conscious that HN is an American cultural space and one has to talk in specifically American ways to avoid getting downvoted or worse. It's not remotely a "neutral world human" way of interacting with people. If you came to my country I would hope you wouldn't act like you were on HN, there's already enough American cultural imperialism here as it is.
  - lukan 2y ago
    You are right, that in many political topics, american culture is dominating here. But I don't think it is true for technical topics. And many people here, including the moderation in my perspective, try to keep it as neutral as possible. And the way to talk about technical things - to the point, no personal attacks, no ambiguity if possible, but clearly articulated - this is the way I also try to communicate in international settings.