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<strong>TRAMP</strong> – Transnational Mobility of Older People in Europe<br />

168 Part II<br />

Religion<br />

The importance of religious ideas and behavioural standards vary. In some regions it<br />

might be considered extremely impolite not to adapt to certain standards, for instance<br />

with regard to wearing head-dress, long trousers or long skirts etc. in churches or other<br />

religious institutions.<br />

Gender relationships are strictly regulated in many cultures. This is based on the assumption<br />

that unregulated contacts endanger the order of society. This often results in a<br />

strict division of labour or a ban on physical contact between the sexes, apart from relatives.<br />

These ideas don’t necessarily coincide only with Islamic cultures, to a certain extent<br />

they also exist in Europe, particularly in the Mediterranean.<br />

Dealing with authorities and other institutions<br />

The interaction with authorities and other public institutions can vary considerably from<br />

one region to another. For historical reasons, government, regional or municipal institutions<br />

are sometimes associated with control or suppression, which can result in an overall<br />

distrust towards these institutions. Elsewhere this is of no importance.<br />

Conflict management<br />

In many cultures it is an essential rule to maintain harmony and to avoid conflicts. This<br />

often involves keeping up appearances, giving the impression that everything is fine.<br />

Problems are therefore solved either by the individuals themselves or with the help of<br />

persons close to them. In other regions, however, conflicts are regarded as a natural part<br />

of communication and problems are addressed in a direct and open manner.<br />

Understanding of time<br />

Cultures differ greatly in their <strong>und</strong>erstanding of time. While for e.g. Germans usually<br />

tend to adhere to strict time schedules, other counters allow for a much broader interpretation<br />

of time. For instance, it may be considered impolite to show up at the agreed<br />

time rather than one or two hours later. The confident handling of time often reflects the<br />

socially accepted value that life should not be dictated by a time schedule or clock.

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