~ Understanding Western and Indian Cultural Patterns!

If we understand & respect different cultures, it will help making World a better place to live! Western pattern is LINEAR /  Consistent / encourages External Authority…Indian pattern is CYCLICAL / Spiral / Non-Linear/  with Individual or  Internal Authority.Different cultures indicates different ways of thinking or patterns.

“My World” is what we believe, Culture of our community,  &  how community sees the world. However, “The World” is outside, has different cultures that might think differently than our beliefs “

We should understand this difference to avoid misconceptions, misunderstandings and being judgemental about other cultures. In Globalization, its wise to include all & get rid of thoughts such as – “Only My world is better than The World!!”

Dr. Devdutta Pattanaik, Physician/Mythologist/successful Author/ Speaker / Business consultant , has studied mythological stories of different civilizations in the world to understand Beliefs / Behaviour patterns; so as to help people know each other in Globalization.

Watch his video clip below for detail analysis. Also , read synopsis of talk below the clip.

Dr. Duvdutt Pattanaik explaining Western & Indian Cultural Patterns (2013)

Watch his famous Global TED Talk – “East Vs West – the myths that mystify” (2009)

Comparing Western & Indian  Pattern using Food, Music & City:

• Food :

West (External authority, you are just follower) : Eat exactly what Chef has prepared for you..with the pre-decided/fixed order as per chef decided for you.

India – ( Individual Authority,  Customize/You decide what way you like):  Chef prepared different curries, dishes,& desserts to suit all guests. It is served in same dish ( called Thali) or they keep various dishes/bowls around your plates…You decide what you wish to eat, take that from central big bowl using dedicated separate spoon, serve in your dish and eat….

You can ignore things you don’t like i.e. customize approach, an individual authority..Eat as per your wish/ linking!

• Music :

West – Harmony dominates / Linear beats

Indian : Cyclical beats…

• Roads / Traffic/ City life:

West : Grid like pattern / Organized / Fixed Boundaries…

India : Negotiated boundaries / Spiral or cyclical…

• Comparison- West Vs Indian Pattern

Overall , Western pattern has ..Consitancy the way Food is eaten, Music is Composed…and cities are designed…They all are LINEAR!

Indian pattern is Cyclical, Spiral and Non- Linear.

Summary: Culture comparison  has indicated two different ways of thinking which manifests culturally as two differnt things known to mankind.

You can find Dr. Devdutt’s very popular TED & other talks below  or read his best seller books (visit: devdutt.com) to understand Western, Indian, Chinese , European patterns in deep.

More about Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik @ his Facebook , @ his website- devdutt.com @ Wikipedia

For more interesting posts , follow Globindian Blog @ Facebook and @ Twitter

My other related posts:

• Globalization: Understanding India’s Pattern
• Indian Approach To Business Management
• Family Vs Money : New Significance of Laxmi (Money) and Saraswati (Wisdom) in Life
• Reverse Innovation: New trend from Emerging to Developed countries
• How India Influenced West
• Jugaad Innovation : From India To The World

Image credit: Still from clip

sources: Dr. Devdutt Pattnaik talks, Youtube, Duvdutt.com, Google search, Facebook, Wikipedia and other link smentioned in the post.