Uncertain times create certain results.

Hello G'Day welcome to yet another post on the most respectable Mr. Hofstede and his cultural model.

Honestly speaking, I think at this point I can write his surname without even thinking about it given that it's my 4th consecutive year of dealing and chewing upon his work.

So without further ado, we shall proceed to our little tradition of comparing Japan, Poland and Canada.

Alas, I have forgotten to properly define what we are supposed to discuss today. The answer is Uncertainty Avoidance. Allow me to perhaps cast a light on this vague term by quoting Hofstede.

Uncertainty avoidance has nothing to do with risk avoidance, nor with following rules. It has to do with anxiety and distrust in the face of the unknown, and conversely, with a wish to have fixed habits and rituals, and to know the truth. 

 

 

 Ahhhhhh POLAND WINNING AGAIN!!!!!!

But here comes the interesting part, while Poland scores around 93 in this index, Japan scores 92. Which makes these two cultures almost the same within this aspect. 

As we can see Canada is rather open to uncertainty, meaning that they are more favorably perceiving change (unfortunately we can not say it about their choice of government...) and are somehow comfortable with not full picture of the truth, as mentioned in above quote.

Let us then delve deeper in the immanent differences between the conglomerate of JapPol (Japan+Poland=JapPol or PolPan or Joland or Papan, the only logical thing is sticking to JapPol) and Canada.

1. Canada is usually welcoming towards new cultures and their representatives, JapPol is hmm xenophobic, meaning that we treat everything that is foreign with not a grain, but a spoonful of salt.
   
   
2. In JapPol the rules are crystal-clear, with the strong belief that everything should be defined properly and sufficiently. Canada allows for a bit of room to wiggle.
   
   
3. Since we are talking about the rules, JapPol's citizens are mostly obeying strictly those set of laws and frown upon those that don't. 

In case of Japan high Uncertainty Avoidance Index stems from the fact that it is an island nation and that they have a rich history of hierarchy dominance. 

Poland, however,  throughout its entire history has been repetitively invaded by the external forces and suffered the consequences of, overly idealized by the poor and unable, concept of communism. 

Canada on the other hand, has been created by the mix of people cast on the other, colder side of St. Lawrence river, so they had to rely on each other despite the obvious ambiguity of each others origins, history and intentions. 

One might say "Speak no more Johnny, for the truthfulness in your words is nigh! Hear Ye, Past is Past and not even God can turn it around"

And with a contemplated smirk under my mustache I only reply: "Past might be Past, yet it bears the consequences for Today, doesn't a seed planted in winter springs not when warm sun raises from its grave?"

Alright, possibly too much Shakespeare and Nietzsche for one weekend.

See you in the next one!