Oaxaca Cultural Orientation: Global Frontier Missions

Oaxaca Cultural Orientation

CULTURAL ORIENTATION

Perhaps the most important thing to realize during the school is that you are a guest in a foreign country. You are the one who does things that seem quite different. In fact, many things that are thought innocent or normal at home are quite offensive in Mexico and may hinder people from hearing the message of salvation. It is critical that we be careful of the impression we create as representatives of Christ. An excellent tip we gleaned from Mack and Leeann's Guide to Short-Te

rm Missions is asking the Prior Question of Trust (PQT) in any and all cross-cultural settings. It goes something like this: "Is what I'm thinking, saying, or doing in this situation building or undermining trust?" Use this question, along with the cultural guidelines we have developed, and you will do just fine culturally.

That said, the following suggestions are offered to help you understand the people of Mexico and to help you have a positive experience while on outreach. The general guidelines assist in developing a mindset of cultural sensitivity, while the practical guidelines give more detailed rules to follow while traveling in Oaxaca.

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR RELATING TO THE OAXACAN PEOPLE:

1. Express curiosity about the Mexican way of life. Your questions indicate an interest in their culture and the manner in which they do things. Make an effort to learn some of the language along with other aspects of the culture.

2. Look at all of your actions from the perspective of the people around you. Many of our actions can be misinterpreted by others. Make sure that you understand that others might perceive things differently (fake fighting, flirting, etc.).

3. Relationships are the most important thing in Oaxaca. Use your time in the village to get to know the people there. Step out of your comfort zone and try to communicate. Oaxacans in the villages love to talk about family, farming, and their culture. It is very difficult for Americans to think of hanging out as ministry, but relationship evangelism is much more important than any program or work project we could do. Love the people you come to serve.

4. Be flexible concerning time. Go with the flow of the culture and the ministry in which you are involved. Do not count on sticking to a rigid schedule of events or starting every program exactly on time. Be patient.

5. Be a learner. If you're not sure how to act in a situation, watch others. Are the other people laughing? How loud is the level of conversation? Is everyone else eating with their hands?

The bottom line is: Keep an open mind. Many aspects of the Oaxacan culture will interest, enchant, or puzzle you; recognize these differences and accept them without passing judgment.

PRACTICAL GUIDELINES FOR RELATING TO THE OAXACAN PEOPLE:

1. Refrain from making too many comparisons between Mexico and home. Comparisons that make Mexico seem inferior will eventually lead to resentment. Avoid comments like, "That's not how to do that!" or "These are much cheaper in the U.S." or "We could do this a lot faster at home."

2. Shake hands (gently) and greet everyone! In Oaxaca, you can offend a person by not doing a simple thing such as shaking hands when you enter or leave a room.

3. Both male and female team members must not flirt with the opposite sex. Avoid being alone with or talking at length with someone of the opposite sex (even within your own team), as this can be misinterpreted.

4. During our village outreach, only one camera per group will be allowed. The photographer must always ask a person if it is okay to take his/her picture. Each team must also send us the doubles to give to the people in the villages.

5. When offered something to eat, receive it and be grateful. Villagers often go to a lot of trouble to prepare tortillas or an entire meal for us, and it is very offensive if we do not enjoy it. Never give food to animals, throw it away, or give it to other people.

6. Guard your English conversation. Many of the people in the villages know a little bit of English from being in the United States or from watching movies. Think about how your conversations might sound to others, even if they can only pick out a few words. Please don't talk about body functions.

7. Churches in many of the villages are very legalistic. Refrain from singing secular songs and dancing.

8. Watch your body language. Be careful not to point or to show disapproval with your facial expressions.

9. Oaxaca's culture is fairly male-dominated. Men, therefore, will typically be served first and be given the best seats at the table.

10. Village people tend to be very modest. To avoid an embarrassing situation, team members must only ever change clothes when inside sleeping bags at night or in an outhouse. Walking around in boxers, pajamas, without a shirt, etc. would be offensive.

11. Team members should never buy and/or consume food or drinks without offering them to every person present. For example, if you want to buy a Coke, you buy one for every person you are with.

SUMMARY

Recognizing the impossibility of defining an absolute set of guidelines that would sufficiently cover every conceivable situation a team might encounter, Global Frontier Missions staff goes on outreaches. Insensitive or irresponsible behavior has a detrimental effect on the long-term ministry here in Oaxaca and could offend and hurt the very people we're trying to serve. Students who come in and adapt to the culture and love the people, however, have done much to further the work of the Gospel among the people groups of Oaxaca. The importance of this material cannot be stressed enough, as many times it will determine how well the Mexican people respond to our message.