Cross-cultural misunderstandings or conflict may arise whenever there are cultural differences. The following are some potential causes or situations in which conflicts or misunderstandings can happen:

• misunderstandings or conflict between different nationalities, religious or ethnic groups
  
• cultural ignorance and insensitivity
  
• lack of awareness of different societal lifestyle practices
  
• differences in cultural practice
  
• differences in perception of illness and treatment
  
• miscommunication and misinterpretation.