I’m a self-professed culture nerd. The feeling I get when I solve a cultural dilemma—like why the Italian tour operator said my colleague was taking advantage of him, or how to build trust with a French colleague—gives me a rush that makes me feel like the next Nelson Mandela.
That’s because I’ve also seen the darker side of culture. People are quick to distrust each other around our great, big planet. We notice each other’s differences, and more often than not, we say, “No, thank you,” and retreat back into the comfort of our comfortable, homogenous communities.
But there’s a tension within us—because at the same time, people want to see the world. The hundreds of billions of dollars spent on global travel each year prove it. I hear it all the time:
“I want to change my perspective on the world.”
“I want to learn more about other cultures.”
“Travel is the best education.”
But the truth is that visiting a world wonder doesn’t automatically change your worldview. You walk awa...
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