mid-week Connect: 9/20/23 ~ Cultural Runways, Part 2: Departures

Greetings and Happy Midweek!

This week, I thought we could continue our Ways Series. In Part 1 a few months ago, we looked at Runways used for arrivals and gained some cultural insights. Today, let’s explore departures.* This fits into the Transformations component of our Global SKILLs PROACTive Framework, since leaving somewhere often is accompanied with preparations and prospects of being transformed, where-ever you are headed. **

For myself, and I imagine many if not all of you, being poised on a literal runway, awaiting take-off, is something we have experienced many times. There are familiar preparations - buckling my seatbelt, organizing my stuff, getting acquainted with my surroundings (restroom, air flow mechanism, light, etc). Each of these is important for my, and others, comfort during the flight. And, as insignificant as they seem, each is a small step toward a myriad of possible transformations I will experience going from this place to the next. I might meet new people, enjoy new sights and face new challenges - all made richer in contexts of cultural diversity.

Then too, runways can be symbolic as we depart from one phase or season in our lives, personal and professional, and head out for something new. Culturally, there would be things we should do as we depart - like pack whatever items my culture and the culture to which I am headed dictate as necessities or desirables to have; like plan or follow someone else’s plans if they are in charge; like communicate that I am leaving - or not. In some cultures, you just go - advertising your departure is considered very unlucky!

All this to say that departing and leavetaking, either literal or figurative, hold a wealth of cultural interest, information and insights - if we take the time to think about it!

How about you ~ what is one memorable departure accompanied by a cultural transformation which you have experienced?

Share about that with a friend or note it here.

And check out the Global SKILLs LINKs below for more notes on different kinds of runways, and departures - and their meanings or impacts cross culturally.

Thanks for being part of this Connect community.

Until next week,

Betsy

Global SKILLs LINKs

~ https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/in/destinations/most-dangerous-and-unique-airport-runways/

~ https://www.berlitz.com/blog/goodbye-different-languages

Notes:

* Related Connects: 7/26/23, runways,pt1-arrivals; 9/2/20 - BIG changes; 3/10/21 - legacy changes (scroll down here to find these by the date they were posted)

** Through my business Global SKILLs and several partner subsidiaries I offer unique cross-cultural consulting and training including:

3 Dimensional Dynamics Model: 1st dimension = HOME ; 2nd dimension = HOST ; 3rd dimension = HARBOR)

PROACTive Learning Strategies:

PRO = PROfile, PROcess, PROgram

ACT = Application, Collaboration and Transformation (which we explored this week)

~ contact me for more information on this model and these strategies and how you might use them in your current programming

2022 ~ Celebrating 40+ years of working in

intercultural communications and global community building

“It takes a community to build a community”

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Please do not reproduce or share without my permission (betsy.barbour@gmail.com)