After Raising a Hand: What an Improv Workshop in Germany Taught Me About Sensitivity and Collaboration

By Nisha Chao

📷 Photo by Jovi
📩 Let’s connect: nisha0107@gmail.com
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In an improv workshop during the Impro React Festival in Germany, we were asked to choose a physical gesture for an upcoming activity.

One participant raised her right hand—straight up.

Everyone nodded. It looked harmless.
But then someone quietly said:

“That gesture reminds me of Hitler.”

There was no outrage, no defensiveness.
Just a calm, honest response—and what happened next deeply moved me.

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A Rare Moment of Inclusion

What struck me most was how the group responded:

No one said, “It’s just a gesture—don’t overthink it.”

No one laughed awkwardly or brushed it off.
No one argued or dismissed the discomfort.

Instead, the facilitator simply offered:
“Then let’s adjust it—how about turning the palm inward instead?”

Everyone agreed. We moved forward.

No one felt silenced, and no one felt attacked.
It was a model of respectful, inclusive collaboration—in real time.

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Listening With Care Across Cultures

This moment stayed with me. Our group came from Germany, Hungary, Taiwan, Switzerland, Norway, the U.S., and India.

Despite the cultural diversity, the dialogue was open, non-defensive, and empathetic.

We weren’t debating who was right.
We were building group wisdom, based on listening and care.

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What Improvisation Can Teach Us

This experience reminded me that:

• Sensitivity doesn’t mean censorship.
  
  

• Adjusting a gesture isn’t giving in—it’s opening up.
  
  

• Improvisation isn't just play—it’s a way to practice empathy in action.
  
  

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A Thought on Today’s World

Back in Taiwan, I’ve seen public figures mock political opponents using gestures that resemble Nazi salutes.

The contrast is painful.

Some use art to honor memory.
Others turn history into provocation and performance.

Let’s choose empathy.
Let’s choose awareness.
Let’s choose to listen before reacting.

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💬 What are your thoughts on cultural sensitivity in performance or collaboration? Leave a comment or message me.

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