Dimension 8 of 11
D8: Rules
Is a rule a rule, or does it bend for the people you love? Understand it, and favors, exceptions, and “that isn’t fair” start to make sense.
What is Rules?
Rules describes whether a culture applies the same standards to everyone, or makes exceptions depending on the relationship and the circumstances. Neither end is better. Each answers, “What does fairness look like?”
Two ends of one spectrum
Universalism
Rules and laws hold regardless of relationship. Bending them for a friend or family member is seen as improper favoritism.
Particularism
Obligations to specific people can rightly outweigh a general rule. Rigid rule-following at the expense of a relationship is seen as cold, even unethical.
Three ways to be fair
Universalism and Particularism show up in contracts, favors, and family. Here are three examples.
Germanic and Nordic Europe: one standard
Both sit at the Universalism end. Rules apply the same way to everyone, and an exception for a friend reads as unfair.
Arab world: wasta
Strongly Particularist. Wasta, using connections to get things done, is a normal part of how obligations to people work.
South Asia and the Pacific: obligation to people
Both lean Particularist. In South Asia, sifarish (a personal recommendation) carries weight, and in Fiji, kerekere means a request from kin is hard to refuse.
Three things to keep in mind
1. Fair has two meanings
In Universalist cultures fair means the same for all. In Particularist cultures fair means right for this person and this situation. Ask what fair looks like here before you argue about it.
2. A favor isn’t always a bribe
Wasta and kerekere are obligations inside a relationship, not corruption in the local view. Learn the local word and what it covers.
3. Rules can feel cold
Particularist colleagues may read strict rule-following as putting a policy above a person. Explain the reason behind a rule, and acknowledge the relationship.
Rules, from the pages and the screen
Particularism feels like
Harry Potter (Harry Potter series), who bends the rules for the people he loves.
Universalism feels like
Ma Ingalls (Little House on the Prairie), who holds the same standard for every child and neighbor.
Particularism feels like
Mr. Edwards (Little House on the Prairie), whose loyalty to people matters more than a general rule.
Take the one-page D8 guide with you
A free, printable Culture-Ready Guide to Rules: the two ends of the spectrum, a world map, three key principles, character cameos, and quick Do’s and Don’ts. Grab it free, along with all 11 Dimension guides.
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Centered • Curious • Considerate • Confident
Dimension 8 of the 11 Dimensions of Culture