I thought a good way to start off this discussion regarding different perspectives was with this line from one of my favorite movies, Ratatouille, in which the villain Anton Ego responds, "'Very well. Since you're all out of perspective and no one else seems to have it ...I'll make you a deal. You provide the food, I'll provide the perspective...'".
So with that, I guess I will provide you some perspective on how to recognize different perspectives!
The key is in the recognizing the differences. And if you do not understand these cultural differences, do not be afraid to ask questions. You are a student of that culture so it is your responsibility to learn from this experience as much as you can! This work can begin at home...
Before departure, make sure you do your homework about the country you are traveling to, as this is a great way to start understanding its history and culture. Documentaries are great, and I enjoyed watching Rick Steves' videos about different countries. These shows help me understand the key monuments and architecture that demonstrate the pride of a particular country. It is important, too, to understand various cultural shifts, such as politics, which as we know for Germany, has been tumultuous.
