We are all a product of our experiences. Different communities around the world have different core assumptions about behaviour, how decisions are made, the role of the individual in a group, and more. Sociologist Geert Hofstede defined six dimensions of culture, covering values, the relationship of the individual to a group, respect for hierarchy, and attitude to change. In addition to these, there is a wide variation in communication styles related to the use of physical gestures, attitudes to silence, the need for context.

By understanding what makes up culture, you will have tools to question your own cultural assumptions, increase your empathy for other participants from different cultures, and avoid misunderstandings as soon as they occur. Can we have better community experiences by understanding the culture participants are coming from? Can we give tools to current community members to be more culturally sensitive and welcoming? And can we also give better advice to people joining the project for the first time, which meets them where they are, rather than expecting them to fit in with the community culture on day one?