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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.