There are a lot of beliefs or superstitions that are seriously taken in some cultures. Like the belief that spirits of family members still living around a house after death. An alter for people that have passed away. And offering of food for the roaming spirits.

In some non- Western cultures, like India or Nepal, before setting eyes on a new born baby a person takes out some money makes a circular motion with it above the child and hands it to one of the parents. In this way one avoids the so called Nazar , the evil eye. The origin of the word Nazar is Arabic and means look. An evil eye is when one gets a malicious or jealous look that is believed to cause ill omen like sickness or more serious harm.

Antidote

In most cases, the superstitions and beliefs have an antidote like the one explained about avoiding the Nazar. Or that  spirits haunting a place can put to rest by letting a priest bless the haunt of the spirit. Or keeping the spirits happy by providing food at a spirit house.

Just because you don’t believe

If you as a non-believer or not superstitious find yourself in a culture that has some strong beliefs,  do not brush it aside just because you do not believe or because it makes you uncomfortable or that you feel that people are wasting your time. On the contrary, not taking in it seriously can turn out to be more costlier in time and money.

Culture Blunder

Why do you think India got independence at midnight?

Lord Mountbatten, who was the viceroy in India then, just chose 15^th of August without much thought, a date that just came to his head, to be the date for the exchange of power. But astrologers, and astrology which is embedded and forms an integral part of the whole ecosystem of India and her culture to this day, predicted doom for new India, should she gain her independence on the 15^th of August.

Something that was undermined by the non-believers. Took its toll in emotions, effort, time, money and more to get the political parties to come to an agreement. Only after having taken the belief seriously  did India get her independence at midnight 14/15 August. (Freedom at Midnight, Larry Collins, Dominique Lapierre)

Navigating superstition

So what can you do if you are interacting in a culture that has strong superstitions and beliefs?

• Find out if there are such strong beliefs in the culture or country you are interacting with.
• Take it seriously.
• Find out how the locals deal with it.
• Take action otherwise it is going to cost you and your company more time and money.

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