From my experiences growing up surrounded by both Ethiopian culture and American culture, I can say that they are very different. According to Hofstede’s dimensions of culture, Ethiopia has a large power distance, is more collectivist, masculine, and is in the middle of uncertainty avoidance. The large power distance is true in my experiences because in Ethiopia and Eritrea there is a large divide in the amount of power that is held by different people. Power is usually based on wealth and there is a small number of wealthy people compared to poor people. Ethiopians are also collectivist because they are willing to help others because they think that if they help someone, then their life will be better. The masculinity factor seems to show in the culture because men usually have more power than women and are seen as stronger. When I was in Eritrea, I was told that I should have been a man because I’m not weak. That comment was from a woman which shows their ideas of what a man and a woman should be like are still quite close minded. When talking about time, people do not follow the times that they state. For example is something is supposed to start at a certain time, it usually doesn’t. Also shops in Ethiopia and Eritrea close for lunch and stay closed for hours because people do not have strict time limits and do not rush. Even the bank completely closes for a few hours everyday so the workers can have lunch. In terms of time, everything is much more laid back and people don’t rush to be late because being late is not a big deal.
I experienced culture shock this past winter break when I was in Eritrea and Ethiopia. While in Eritrea, I was staying where there was no running water, no flushable toilets, no heat for the freezing nights, and solar powered lights that did not last for more than a few hours. At first I was a little shocked at the conditions even though I somewhat expected them. As time went on I began to try to become comfortable with the situation but it was so different than what I was used to that eventually it felt like I was losing my mind. It got to the point that all I could think about was going home because the conditions were so tough on me both physically and mentally.
Comments