Learning to Understand: A Personal Exploration of Cultural Values

Going to Japan and learning about the culture, I realised that a set of values is not inherently superior to the other.

For example, coming first time to Japan from the West, I often thought that Japanese people should stand up more and discuss things directly without taboo, as we could do so about opinions in France. French people love to debate, to say things straight up, whereas some Japanese people tend to mind more about other people's comfort and avoid potential conflicts. In the past, I thought about this cultural difference that Japanese people were demeaning themselves and that they would do better to follow the French way.

However, I realized that our set of values is the product of our history and should be seen as the foundation of our society, which has allowed the population to endure until now. Every set of values is relevant, and none is inherently superior.

Since then, I’ve made a conscious effort to consider people’s history and context more carefully in order to truly understand them. I strive to be as understanding and open-minded as possible, particularly in international settings. Each person holds a unique set of values that deserve respect within their own cultural framework, and no value is inherently superior.

As a result, I believe it is essential to recognize that our judgment is shaped by our own values, and therefore not absolute. Being aware of this helps me to set aside personal biases and bridge the gap between distinct cultures.