You may have seen the man playing a saxophone or woman's face in the previous pictures. Or maybe you saw chess pieces or black outlines of people leaning inwards. In the last picture you may have seen two older people or musicians or even the golden cup!

Culture shapes everything we see and do.

Culture is ‘... the set of attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviors shared by a group of people, but different for each individual, communicated from one generation to the next.’ Matsumoto 1996: 16

We can see and experience culture through food, celebrations, language, actions, behaviours and arts etc. However there are some unwritten rules when working cross culturally and many things we cannot see happening behind the scenes. This can often lead to misunderstandings and also lead to stereotyping. Saying that, "Australians love to play football and drink beer" doesn't include people who have different values and life experiences that may have shaped their cultural identity but are also proud Australians.

More than one fifth (1/5) of people in Australia’s population were born overseas and 50% of the population were either born overseas or had one/both parents born overseas. That is why it is important to be aware of culture.

There are things below the surface we cannot see that we need to ask about and learn before we can start to truly understand someone's attitudes, beliefs and actions and ultimately their culture.

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If someone has moved to live in another country and be immersed in the culture they may take on some of those traditions, values and language. Migration, Culture Shock, Institutions and Racism all impact on their adjustment and shape culture and feelings of safety. Children of migrants may adapt quickly and take on the ways of the country they are now living in and for what is called a "Bi-cultural" identity. This can be hard for parents and older generations who maintain traditional beliefs, language and practices.

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Summary

Culture gives us our uniqueness as individuals It affects how we treat others, our attitudes, and how we dress, eat and speak. It makes us who we are. Culture is the sum total of the learned values, traditions, attitudes, beliefs and behaviours that are 'who we are'.

To be culturally competent or ‘Safe’ means being sensitive to background, ethnicity, cultural, socioeconomics and sexual orientation.

To be insensitive about a person's background, ethnicity, cultural socioeconomics or sexual orientation may mean that you will discriminate against that person or their cultural group.