Culture influences the way we think, feel and behave.

The list of definitions of culture is endless. We have chosen this definition by interculturalist Geert Hofstede: "Culture is the collective programming of the mind, which distinguishes the members of one group ... of people from another."

Culture is learned. Hofstede calls it programming. You could also call it learning. We are programmed by upbringing, socialisation, norms and values, and perception.

Culture consists of various layers and we often compare it with an onion.

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Artefacts and Cultural Products

Artefacts and cultural products represent the outermost layer of a culture, often referred to as material culture. They are the tangible, visible aspects of a culture that you notice immediately upon entering a new country. They include physical objects, symbols and behaviors that are prominent and distinctive.

For example, Belgium is world famous for its chocolate, beer and waffles. Another Belgian artefact is the bronze statue of Manneken Pis in Brussels. This statue, which dates back to the early 17th century, has become one of the most recognised symbols of Brussels and Belgium.
Norms and Values
Norms and values form the second layer of culture. Norms are the rules and expectations by which a society guides the behaviour of its members, while values are the deeply held beliefs about what is good, right and desirable.
Norms and values are not as visible as artefacts. It takes some time to notice and to learn them.

Is it the norm to be a few minutes early, on time, or is it the norm to be a few minutes late? Is 3 minutes late acceptable and 10 minutes not? These are examples of norms. Values express what we think is good or right. For example, is it good to stand up for an elderly person on a crowded bus?
Basic Assumptions
Basic assumptions are the deepest level of culture. These are the unconscious, taken-for-granted beliefs, perceptions, thoughts, and feelings. They are often invisible and not readily discussed, but they fundamentally shape a culture's worldview.
In some cultures, there's a deep-rooted belief that "time is money", so punctuality is crucial. Being on time is seen as respectful and professional. In contrast, other cultures have a more relaxed view of time, where being late is often accepted and not seen as disrespectful. This assumption shapes a culture that prioritizes relationships over strict schedules.

The cultural iceberg
The cultural iceberg model is a metaphor used to explain the complexity of culture. Developed by anthropologist Edward T. Hall, the model suggests that culture can be likened to an iceberg, with only a small part visible above the surface and a much larger part hidden beneath.

The Titanic as a Metaphor for Cultural Clashes

The Titanic's tragic sinking serves as a powerful metaphor for cultural clashes. Just as the Titanic struck an iceberg that was largely hidden beneath the surface, cultural clashes often occur due to unrecognized and unaddressed deeper cultural differences.

Visible differences:
The crew of the Titanic only saw the tip of the iceberg. Similarly, people often only notice the visible aspects of another culture, such as food, language and clothing.

Hidden depths:
Most of the iceberg was submerged, representing the deeper, less visible cultural elements such as values, beliefs and assumptions. These hidden aspects can lead to misunderstanding and conflict if not understood.

Collision and disaster:
The collision with the iceberg led to the sinking of the Titanic. In cultural interactions, failure to recognise and respect the deeper layers of culture can lead to collision, miscommunication and conflict, just as the invisible part of the iceberg caused the Titanic to sink.

Understanding the cultural iceberg model helps to appreciate the depth and complexity of cultural interactions. Recognising that most cultural elements lie beneath the surface can help prevent clashes, just as being aware of the full size of an iceberg can save a ship from disaster. The Titanic metaphor underscores the importance of looking beyond visible cultural characteristics to understand the deeper values, beliefs and assumptions that really drive behaviour and interactions in any cultural context.