Multicultural UX design is a complex field that requires understanding and consideration of various cultural perspectives. It is interesting to note that the different lifestyles of ancient Greek and Chinese societies greatly influenced how the most influential philosophers of that time thought about the world.
The Asian tribes lived around the Huang He river and relied on it for a healthy agricultural outcome, specifically rice farming. This necessitated coordination and central control to ensure harmony. On the other hand, when agriculture arrived in Greece, wine and olive oil production became the objective. This turned the independent tribes into businessmen, and competition became the norm.
These different lifestyles had a significant impact on how Greek and Chinese thinkers viewed objects and relationships. Greek philosophers focused more on individual objects, while Eastern thinkers looked more holistically at relationships among people. This tendency has persisted throughout history.
The farmers’ behaviors in Greece also promoted debate and individual freedom, as they were not relying on their neighbors and could afford to disagree with others. Chinese thought leader Confucius, on the other hand, primarily considered the relations among people. In his view, a harmonious social network was desired, and a hierarchical social system was needed to maintain balance and peace.
For the Greeks, the truth was the goal, while for the Chinese, the way was more important. Understanding these cultural differences is essential in creating effective UX design that resonates with users from diverse backgrounds.
Reference:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0146167208320555
