Refer to information and insights about behavior you observed from past assignments. Then talk to as many people as you can to try to get an overall picture of the kind of behavior people admire.

Focus on particular roles in the culture, such as husband, wife, son, daughter, mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, kinsman, friend, ancestor, religious or political leader, villager or neighbor, etc. Try to get people to verbalize what they think are the characteristics of a “good husband,” “best friend,” etc. What general and specific qualities emerge as ideals? How do these compare with the ideals of your native culture?

Some qualities to focus on could be uniformity vs. individuality, cooperation vs. competition, generosity, industriousness, obedience to parents, behavior proper for one’s gender, control of one’s emotions, etc.

Reflect on what you have observed of the culture and its people. What differences are there between what people say should be done and what they actually do? Don’t be too critical, however; no culture lives up to its ideals, though it tries to.

Certain deviant patterns may actually provide a safety valve for the release of tensions which the ideal produces. By having such a culturally sanctioned release, the ideals may be maintained since people know there are times and places when they may let loose emotions or actions which would otherwise be frowned on. As you discuss this with various people, see if you can identify what such culturally acceptable deviations might be. You might see someone acting in a strange manner. Ask what the back-ground of this might be—a culturally acceptable deviation?

Talk about your findings with fellow co-workers and discuss what might be culturally acceptable in your own country, but might not be in your host country. What changes need to be made?