Is sport a cross-cultural universal?

In my “Increasing your Cultural Intelligence” training courses, as part of one of the strategies for building relationships across cultures, I encourage people to think about the universals.  These are things we have in common with other people around the world, regardless of where they may come from.  In a course in Canberra, Australia, last week a participant suggested sport was a universal. This was strongly debated by another participant.

The young woman pointed out she had no interest in sport and it would be a detriment rather than a help in building a relationship if someone introduced sport into a conversation.  The group came to the conclusion that if you are interested in sport –it is a universal.  The interest in sport will open doors to conversations and shared interests when you have seemingly little else in common.  

Learning about the specific sports close to the heart of another country or culture (CQ Knowledge) can also be a point to create interest in the culture and build drive and motivation to understand more (CQ Drive). 

So with this in mind - I am in New Zealand attending rugby games as part of the Rugby World Cup 2011 and ask you to excuse the fact that my tweets (@trishacarter) and blog posts may have some rugby themes over the next few weeks.  For those of you for whom sport (or rugby) isn’t a universal interest I will look for other topics of interest as well. 

For those who love rugby union let me know who you want me to support!  I’m happy to “flex” with my support and cheer for your team too! Today’s game is Tonga V Japan and it is a hard one for me to choose as I have clients in and from both countries. 

But another universal, the experience of pain and tragedy, draws me to Japan.  So in support of those who are struggling to rebuild lives and manage grief after the earthquake just like my family and friends in Christchurch, New Zealand today I will be a Blossom supporter!  Go Japan!

Comments

[Librly]

Great post, thanks for this!