As a facilitator who values diversity and cultural competence, I’m always looking for ways to incorporate Cultural Heritage-themed icebreaker questions into my events. By asking questions related to different cultures, traditions, and histories, I can create an inclusive and respectful space where everyone feels valued and heard. One fun way to do this is by using Cultural Heritage-themed “This or That” icebreaker questions.
How to incorporate Cultural Heritage themed This or That questions
To incorporate Cultural Heritage-themed “This or That” questions into your event, follow these steps:
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Research and prepare a list of questions beforehand that are related to different cultures, traditions, and histories. You can find inspiration from reading books, articles, or blogs about cultural diversity, or by talking to people from diverse backgrounds.
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Print out the questions on cards or display them on a screen or a poster board. Encourage your guests to form small groups of 3-5 people and take turns asking each other the questions. You can also create a rotation system where each group moves on to the next question after a set amount of time (e.g., 2-3 minutes).
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Make sure everyone has a chance to answer each question and listen actively to their responses. Encourage follow-up questions, comments, and discussions that build on the initial answers. You can also share your own insights and experiences about cultural diversity to keep the conversation flowing.
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After everyone has had a chance to answer all the questions, gather your guests in a larger group and ask them to share their favorite or most surprising answers. You can also use this opportunity to highlight any commonalities or connections that emerged during the activity.
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Consider using some of the insights or stories that came up during the “This or That” icebreaker as a springboard for further conversations and activities throughout the day. For example, you could organize a cultural fair where guests can learn about different customs, foods, and art forms from around the world.
Ideas on different themes of questions
To keep your Cultural Heritage-themed icebreaker questions fresh and engaging, you can explore different themes and categories that are relevant to cultural diversity. Here are some ideas:
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Customs: Ask questions related to traditional practices, rituals, and celebrations (e.g., “What is your favorite cultural holiday or festival?” or “What is a unique custom from your culture that you would like to share with others?”).
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Food: Ask questions about culinary traditions, flavors, and ingredients (e.g., “What is your favorite dish from your culture?” or “What is a common spice or seasoning in your cuisine?”).
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Arts and crafts: Ask questions that showcase artistic expressions, handicrafts, and textiles (e.g., “What is a traditional art form from your culture that you admire?” or “What is a meaningful piece of jewelry or clothing that represents your cultural identity?”).
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Music and dance: Ask questions about musical styles, rhythms, and movements (e.g., “What kind of music do you listen to in your culture?” or “What is a popular dance from your culture that you would like to teach others?”).
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History and heritage: Ask questions that reflect on the past, ancestors, and cultural legacy (e.g., “Who are some notable figures or heroes from your culture that have inspired you?” or “What is a historical event from your culture that has shaped its present-day identity?”).
By incorporating these different themes of questions into your Cultural Heritage-themed icebreaker activity, you can create an engaging and educational experience for all your guests. So why not give it a try and see how it can enrich your next event!
My favorite Cultural Heritage themed This or That questions
- Folk music or classical music?
- Artifacts or monuments?
- Traditional clothing or modern clothing?
- Museums or art galleries?
- Historical fiction books or non-fiction books?
- Handmade crafts or factory-made souvenirs?
- Local cuisine or international cuisine?
- Traditional dance or modern dance?
- Street art or traditional art?
- Preserving old buildings or building new ones?
- Mosaic or mural?
- Tapestry or embroidery?
- Reconstruction or preservation of historical buildings?
- Traditional festivals or modern events?
- Classical literature or contemporary literature?
- Folk tales or myths and legends?
- Authenticity or accessibility to tourists?
- Live theatre or cinema?
- Graffiti or sculpture?
- Traditional architecture or modern architecture?
- Handicrafts or modern industrial design?
- Documentary films or fiction films?
- Traditional gardening or modern gardening?
- Oral storytelling or written stories?
- Calligraphy or typography?
- Traditional farming or modern farming techniques?
- Wood carving or stone carving?
- Ancient manuscripts or modern literature?
- Globalization or cultural preservation?
- Traditional healing practices or Western medicine?
- Ancient pottery or contemporary ceramics?
About the author
Jon Zajac
Founder & Chief Icebreaker
I started Icebreaker Spot because I truly believe that strong connections are the foundation of successful teams. I wanted to create a platform that would make it easy for people to find and share icebreakers and team building activities, empowering them to build trust, foster collaboration, and ultimately, achieve greatness together.