Attitude to the New and the Unknown
Cultures with high uncertainty-avoidance prefer stable rules and long-lasting
relationships. Any uncertainty can express itself in higher anxiety than those from low
uncertainty avoidance cultures.
Compared to Americans, Hungarians have a significantly stronger tendency to avoid life’
s uncertainties. This means that new situations, unknown people or circumstances
cause greater stress to the individual, and is usually looked at as a potential problem or
danger, rather than a challenge.
KEY FEATURES AND DIFFERENCES:
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Cultures with high uncertainty-avoidance prefer stable rules and long-lasting
relationships. Any uncertainty can express itself in higher anxiety than those from low
uncertainty avoidance cultures.
Compared to Americans, Hungarians have a significantly stronger tendency to avoid life’
s uncertainties. This means that new situations, unknown people or circumstances
cause greater stress to the individual, and is usually looked at as a potential problem or
danger, rather than a challenge.
KEY FEATURES AND DIFFERENCES:
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Hungarian Mentality: Values, Behavior and Thinking
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Hungarian
Culture, Language & Relocation Resources
Culture, Language & Relocation Resources
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American Culture
(medium-low uncertainty-avoidance)
Uncertainty is a normal feature of life and
each day is accepted as it comes
Low stress; subjective feeling of well-being
"I am in control. My misfortune is the
consequence of my own decisions”
Comfortable in new situations and with
unfamiliar risks
Lenient rules for children on what is dirty
and taboo
What is different, is curious
Teachers may say ‘I don’t know’
There should not be more rules than is
strictly necessary
Time is a framework for orientation
Comfortable feeling when lazy;
Hard-working only when needed to
complete the task or reach personal goals
Diligence is silly in itself if not successful
Motivation by achievement and esteem or
belongingness
Optimism. Always assume the good.
(medium-low uncertainty-avoidance)
Uncertainty is a normal feature of life and
each day is accepted as it comes
Low stress; subjective feeling of well-being
"I am in control. My misfortune is the
consequence of my own decisions”
Comfortable in new situations and with
unfamiliar risks
Lenient rules for children on what is dirty
and taboo
What is different, is curious
Teachers may say ‘I don’t know’
There should not be more rules than is
strictly necessary
Time is a framework for orientation
Comfortable feeling when lazy;
Hard-working only when needed to
complete the task or reach personal goals
Diligence is silly in itself if not successful
Motivation by achievement and esteem or
belongingness
Optimism. Always assume the good.
Hungarian Culture
(Very high uncertainty-avoidance)
The uncertainty inherent in life is felt as a
continuous threat which must be fought
High stress; subjective feeling of anxiety
"I am under something more powerful than
myself." The reason of my misfortune is
others and life. Hungarians have a
tendency to be under the circumstances,
and to blame others for their misfortunes.
Hungary's history: experience of being
dominated.
Psychologist Margit Honti says, “We know
what it is to be losers. We have all been
losers for centuries.”
History professor Antal Szerb: “Those who
were thinking logically in Hungary always
despaired.”
Tight rules for children on what is dirty and
“nem szabad” (touching dogs, taking things
in mouth, crawling, eating or drinking ice-
cold things, walking around barefoot, etc.)
Acceptance of familiar risks; fear of
unknown situations and of unfamiliar risks
What is different, is dangerous
Teachers supposed to have all the answers
To know the rules feels more secure than
disturbing.
Time is money and there is never enough
Emotional need to be busy
A value and an inner urge to work hard
Diligence is a value, means reliability and
is to be respected
Precision and punctuality of Germans are
valued
Motivation by security and esteem or
belongingness
Pessimism is a state of mind with
Hungarians. Realism is a value.
According to Hungarians, an optimist is a
person who is poorly informed. Hungarians
think that if a news is bad, it must be true.
Optimist: ”I think we live in the best of all
possible worlds!” Hungarian: “I’m afraid
so”.
In the end of folk tales "they lived happily
‘until they died’".
(Very high uncertainty-avoidance)
The uncertainty inherent in life is felt as a
continuous threat which must be fought
High stress; subjective feeling of anxiety
"I am under something more powerful than
myself." The reason of my misfortune is
others and life. Hungarians have a
tendency to be under the circumstances,
and to blame others for their misfortunes.
Hungary's history: experience of being
dominated.
Psychologist Margit Honti says, “We know
what it is to be losers. We have all been
losers for centuries.”
History professor Antal Szerb: “Those who
were thinking logically in Hungary always
despaired.”
Tight rules for children on what is dirty and
“nem szabad” (touching dogs, taking things
in mouth, crawling, eating or drinking ice-
cold things, walking around barefoot, etc.)
Acceptance of familiar risks; fear of
unknown situations and of unfamiliar risks
What is different, is dangerous
Teachers supposed to have all the answers
To know the rules feels more secure than
disturbing.
Time is money and there is never enough
Emotional need to be busy
A value and an inner urge to work hard
Diligence is a value, means reliability and
is to be respected
Precision and punctuality of Germans are
valued
Motivation by security and esteem or
belongingness
Pessimism is a state of mind with
Hungarians. Realism is a value.
According to Hungarians, an optimist is a
person who is poorly informed. Hungarians
think that if a news is bad, it must be true.
Optimist: ”I think we live in the best of all
possible worlds!” Hungarian: “I’m afraid
so”.
In the end of folk tales "they lived happily
‘until they died’".
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Students in both cultures are comfortable with open-ended learning situations and value
good discussions. Both cultures are positive towards innovative ideas; creativity and talent
are valued.
Students in both cultures are comfortable with open-ended learning situations and value
good discussions. Both cultures are positive towards innovative ideas; creativity and talent
are valued.
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| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - HUNGARIAN CULTURE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
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Hungarian Culture Blog
Share your experiences,
frustrations,
questions and advice!
www.hunreal.com