Wellness Calendar: Tuesday 17 June

Cultural signposting
You are in a new venue listening to a band playing live, when a group of people barges in front of you screaming, shouting and talking over the music. Is this cool or uncool? It doesn’t seem very cool (or considerate), but without any guidance, how are you supposed to know? If you challenge their behaviour, maybe it’s you that’s in the wrong, since maybe in this particular venue it’s acceptable to get your needs met without worrying about others? How do you know how to respond?
Anyone is only ever in the game, culturally-speaking, if they know what the game is: if they know how things are played, if they know what to expect, if they have informed consent. Otherwise, they’re not in the game and have no way of knowing how to get in the game – unless they’re explicitly told.
‘Do & don’t’ signs get messages across that are hostile and non-negotiable. ‘Polite’ signs tend to focus on only one theme, leaving other areas untouched. A cultural signpost, however – one that’s widely distributed, that’s been pooled together by all the stakeholders of a venue or an event, that shows people what’s culturally okay and what isn’t, in a language that doesn’t rub people up the wrong way – could reduce a lot of tension and create a greater collective cohesion. Not only could it keep transgressive behaviour in check, it could also give permission to people to delight in activities they might not have considered acceptible – such as dancing?
Here’s an example of a cultural flyer handed to a punter on their way into a new musical venue…
“Hello and welcome. Do enjoy yourself and at the same time be aware that this is a shared space and we don’t want to spoil anyone else’s fun. When a band is playing, it’s good practice to keep any noise down until a song has finished – unless you’re at the very back of the hall. By all means use the front area for energetic dancing. This place is down on drugs and excessive drinking. Unwanted attention and aggressive behaviour is a real no-no. We encourage you to be a vocal bystander and to tell a staff member if anything is going on that doesn’t seem right.”
How clear are the cultural norms of the places you inhabit, or the activities you engage in – such as educational establishments, gyms, swimming pools, steam rooms, cinemas, department stores, festivals, transportation, meetings and gathering, etc., etc.?