Health, good interpersonal relationships, mutual respect for others and sustainable behaviour are increasingly prioritised above more traditional concerns. More and more of us are seeking a better work-life balance; society is crying out for greater cohesion; our economy is in desperate need of innovation, diversification and flexibility. The problem is that our current value system – and the cultures that currently prevail within education, business and society – are in many ways counterproductive to achieving these goals. As a population living in an individualistic society, there is much we can learn from other cultures about improving our social togetherness, leading more joyful and meaningful lives and, ultimately, guiding our own culture towards a healthier and more sustainable way of thinking and acting. This book shows how it’s done. Gundula Gwenn Hiller, a renowned expert on interculturality and diversity, invites us to explore what we can learn from other cultures and offers solutions for individual and societal challenges. Foreword What do we need to be happy? How the book is structured Chapter 1: Is there such a thing as a ‘typical German’? The dilemma of describing cultures Knowing the world by knowing ourselves What can we learn from external perspectives on the German culture? Hard work and the fulfilment of duties The other side of the coin How we communicate ‘Don’t be offended – it’s nothing personal’ One person in private, another at work Orderliness is next to godliness The sacred duty Does lateness equal rudeness? Singularisation Family here, family there A masculine culture? Chapter 2: Interpersonal relationships: community makes us happy Community – only in times of strife? Community makes us happy Teamwork in work and study Scandinavian blueprints for happiness A lack of maternal instinct (or: would you rather have a dog?) More than words Cultivating a feeling of community Everyday acts of kindness Ubuntu Chapter 3: C...