I can’t say I was suprised by anything I read in the papers about cultural differences but I did learn a few things.
Being a vet nurse (qualified now I hope) I was interested to read that it is taboo for Muslims to touch dogs. I was also interested to read that in being friendly, Asians may ask you ‘what do you earn?’ or ‘ how old are you?’ as I have never been asked these questions in my travels in Asian countries. Perhaps with a huge Western influence in these countries now, they have learnt that these questions may be offensive to some people. This is probably the case with many traditional customs in many countries, particularly in the bigger cities where Western influence have led the younger generations away from their culture.
In regards to the Treaty of Waitangi in education today, one of the most relevant agreements is the principle of self management. In other words, Maori have the right to organize themselves in a way which works for them within the education system and this may differ from the widely used anglo-saxon model of teaching. I came across this when I was studying counselling. I was intrigued by the way some maori counsellors would go to their clients house (instead of inside the four walls of an office) and take their clients out to the beach or country side and use the environment as a tool for working through issues. For example, it may be suggested that a women who feels burdened by life pick up a pile of rocks one by one and throw them in to the sea. I liked the imagery of this and felt that in manifesting her issues in a physical way which she could see, this women may understand and work through her problems more quickly and easily.
I remember many years a go (1987?) helping to organise a hui at the Otakou Marae for International Year of the Youth. It was the first time I had been on a marae and I was very nervous as I was aware that there were protocols that would be carried out here that I was ignorant about. I was afraid of really putting my foot in it and offending someone. As it happened , at the start of the hui, we were made aware of some of the protocols and practices that would occur. I remember learning not to sit on tables or pillows and not to bring food in to the meeting house. Remembering not to sit on a table when tutoring a Maori student is one simple protocol we should be aware of.
Many of the practices on the marae such as sleeping side by side with strangers in the meeting house and having to stand up and talk about my family were very different for me and somewhat uncomfortable but also an enriching experience.
