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Cultural Awareness: Navigating Cultural Diversity for Organizational Success

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8 Powerful Strategies for Effective Cross-Cultural Communication

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8 Powerful Strategies for Effective Cross-Cultural Communication

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Explearning - Communication and Social Skills

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8 Powerful Strategies for Effective Cross-Cultural Communication

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6 Excellent Communication Tips for Working With Israelis

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6 Excellent Communication Tips for Working With Israelis

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#4 Dare to share

If you feel comfortable, share a little bit about your personal life when someone asks. It might not be something you would normally do, but it will make the other person feel closer to you.

#5 Use first names

Drop formalities, honorific titles, and surnames. If the person uses a nickname, feel free to use it too!

#6 Write short emails

Israelis tend to write -very- short emails, and they usually appreciate this concise communication. To write more effective emails to an Israeli person, make sure your message is short and to the point.

This article works as supporting material for our podcast episode on how to communicate better with people from Israel. You can read the transcript below. Make sure you check out all our other Talaera Talks episodes and subscribe to get new episode alerts.

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Talaera Talks - Transcript Episode 21

If you are learning English, including new English words and expressions will help you with effective communication. Remember to check out our other episodes on how to make small talk, how to deliver engaging presentations, how to speak English fluently, and many more: visit the podcast website. Listen to it on your favorite platform:

Intro
Welcome to Talaera Talks, the business English communication podcast for non-native professionals. My name is Paola and I am co-hosting this show with Simon. In this podcast, we're going to be covering communication advice and tips to help express yourself with confidence in English in professional settings. So we hope you enjoy the show!

Simon Kennell 0:24
Okay, welcome back to another episode of Talaera Talks. My name is Simon. I'm joined with Paola today. Paola, how are you doing?

Paola Pascual 0:37
Hi, Simon. I'm great. Very excited about today's episode.

Paola Pascual 0:41
Yeah, we have an interesting... Yeah, kind of episode today, which is our first ever interview where we are bringing in someone to our podcast. So I guess we should just go ahead and introduce our guest. Our guest is Keren. Keren is one of our teachers here with Talaera, one of our great teachers. Very interesting kind of story that will let her explain. But for our episode today we're talking about communicating with Israelis. And Keren is an Israeli. So Keren, welcome to the podcast. How are you today?

Keren Hovav 1:23
Hi, I'm doing well. Thank you. I'm excited to be here.

Simon Kennell 1:27
Yeah, we are so excited to have you. And can you tell us you're calling in from Tel Aviv today? Right?

Keren Hovav 1:33
Yeah, I'm in Tel Aviv.

Simon Kennell 1:34
All right. And how's everything over there? How's the weather today?

Keren Hovav 1:39
You know, we had a really crazy heatwave. It's mellowing out, according to our standards here, but it's still pretty hot and humid.

Simon Kennell 1:48
Well, that's Yeah, we're all spread out. Like we have Denmark, Spain and Israel in the house. Which is great. It's great. And so yeah, today, we wanted to bring you in. You've done a lot of obviously great stuff with us. And the fact that we do work with a lot of Israeli companies. And you being in Tel Aviv being if I'm not mistaken, half Israeli and half American? No, wrong.

Keren Hovav 2:18
Not quite. I was born here in Israel, both of my parents were also born here in Israel, by chance, we moved to California when I was a kid, for no good reason, just to see what was going on there. And so that's where I get the American side of me.

Simon Kennell 2:34
Oh, great, great, great. Okay, awesome. Well, well, then. Okay, then it's perfect. Let's, let's get started and see where we go. So we're talking about communicating with people from Israel. And there's a lot in this where we're talking about communication, where I think I'm gonna slide it over to Paola. And I think we'll start with some, I guess, fun facts about Israel, right?

Paola Pascual 3:03
Yeah. Why don't we start with some fun, quick facts? So Israel, how many people just use will have? Keren, do you know? Is it about 9 million?

Keren Hovav 3:15
Yeah, around 9 million. A little bit less, I think.

Paola Pascual 3:19
Okay. So one, one of them. It's not really a fun fact. But one of the things that I was surprised to learn, I guess, because I had never worked with Israelis that the working week starts on Sunday. And then they finish working on Thursday. So, that's interesting.

Keren Hovav 3:37
It is it's interesting because I don't know, I don't know of any other countries that do it that way. And it's a little tricky to adjust to, you know, from living in the States for so long to this workweek. It's, it's a bit tricky, but it's because Shabbat you know, it's the holy day of the week, and the Jewish religion. And so, you know, we don't work on Friday afternoon or Saturday.

Paola Pascual 4:02
I know, I always find it super funny when I have a session with one of my students in Israel, and it's a Monday and I'm like, hey, how's your weekend? And they're like, well, it was like, a few days ago... I can't remember. What else? So I visited... I actually visited Israel once and this was three years ago. And one thing I also loved to see is how the signs are written in three different languages.

Keren Hovav 4:26
Yeah, all of our signs are in Hebrew, Arabic, and English, because those are, you know, the predominant languages of the region.

Paola Pascual 4:36
It's interesting. What else do we have? Do you have any fun facts about Israel?

Keren Hovav 4:40
I mean, the lowest point on Earth is here, the Dead Sea. It's, I don't know how exactly how much below sea level it is. It's also the saltiest body of water and it's just floating on the surface. Nothing lives. In a beautiful place to visit.

Simon Kennell 5:02
Oh, wow, I've actually, you know, I don't know how have you ever gone and laid down and floated in the Dead Sea?

Keren Hovav 5:11
Me? Yeah. Oh, of course, so many times. From here, it's easy to get to.

Simon Kennell 5:19
And so I guess that's two things about Israel that I was shocked by was, number one how small the country actually is it's like 20 minutes and you're, you know, most places, which is amazing. But then, you know, when I actually went, I went to the Dead Sea. And then when I was there, it was first, I don't know, maybe you can answer this question. But for some reason, it was like 80% Russian tourists there. So it was just me and like, 20 Russians floating around in the Dead Sea, which was like a really nice experience. But then after that, this big Russian guy started grabbing some of the mud and rubbing it on my back. I don't know, is that common?

Keren Hovav 6:06
Yeah, that's super common. So I don't know, maybe you've seen like, the product, the Dead Sea products that you know, are at this point all over the world, right, you can buy lots of beauty products that are labeled the Dead Sea. And it's because that mud has so many like really good minerals and other things that I don't know about. But it's very good for your skin. Funnily enough, if you have a skin condition, and you live in Israel, insurance will cover trips to the Dead Sea for you as a treatment for your skin condition.

Paola Pascual 6:41
Oh, wow. That's cool. Yeah. Yeah, it's quiet, it's quite easy to travel around. I also found because it's so small as a country and, Einat - I was discussing and Einat is one of my students, and she lives in she's from Israel as well. And she was telling me that from not going to pronounce it right, Keren - Metula? (Keren: Yeah, you're right!) So Metula is the most northern part of the country, to Eilat, that's in the south, it takes you about six hours to drive.

Keren Hovav 7:18
With no traffic, I'll add that caveat. There's also a small country with few roads and a lot of people, traffic is definitely a thing. So if there would be no traffic. Yeah, and you know, from east to west, or west to east, it's also about maybe an hour like. So. I mean, in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, I think in people's minds are very far away from each other. But you know, now there's actually a train that goes directly from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, they just opened and we're very excited about it. And I think it's like 30 minutes. Oh, that's good. So from the center of Tel Aviv to the center of Jerusalem,

Paola Pascual 7:57
It is pretty good. Alright, what else? Do we have anything else to share? Or shall we move on to some more communication details?

Simon Kennell 8:07
Yeah, I want to get into this, which is always somewhat of a tricky one. I mean, when we talk about nonverbal communication, so what does that really mean? Right, so obviously, nonverbal communication -not anything we're speaking or saying- but it it's very different in different cultures. And before we hop on today, Karen, you brought up a couple of these different Yeah, gestures and things. And so I guess my first question around this is, how big of a role do gestures play in communication in Israel?

Keren Hovav 8:44
I think a pretty big role relative, especially to some other cultures. There's sometimes like, the most common gesture, I would say, in Israel is sort of like pinching your fingers together. It's like what the Italians do, you know? But in Israel, it means "Wait" (Simon: It means?). "Wait", "No, wait", like "one second". Yeah. So you'll see, sometimes when you want to cross the street, you sort of do this gesture to the car to ask them to wait to let you cross the street, or someone's on the phone, they're just like, "Give me one second", and it's just very much with this gesture. Another gesture that I was showing you guys earlier is sort of pulling down on your eyelid on your lower eyelid with your finger. And it means like as if, right, so. So it's or like air quotes, kind of its equivalent. So, you know, for example, if someone says, "Oh, you know, you're not allowed to go there". And you think that that's, you know, not real, it shouldn't be that way or you don't think that it's actually a rule, you might say, like, not allowed, right. Let's pull down in my live.

Paola Pascual 9:51
So that kind of gesture is what I would use for pay attention. Hmm, interesting.

Simon Kennell 9:58
Yeah, that kind of gesture is I would use to put in my eye contacts is. Yeah. Okay. So, okay, so there's that one. Are there any others?

Keren Hovav 10:11
I'm sure there are but not that I can think of right now off the top of my head. But generally people here do speak with their hands. Um, it's it's very, you know, improve. No, improvised. Yeah, very improvised. But those are, you know, two common ones that I could think of.

Simon Kennell 10:28
Right? Very cool. I like that. I'm gonna use the wait one more, but I think I'm just, I want to do it all the time. Because I really love when I see Italians do that. So I'm just gonna start using that for everything. Now.

Paola Pascual 10:43
Something else I noticed is personal space is, it's a bit smaller than in other countries, I would say.

Unknown Speaker 10:52
I mean, if you think about it, again, it's such a small country that I guess it's part of the culture, like we don't have enough space, everyone cram in, you know. So you'll see, like, if you're waiting in line, people will just be like, right next to you, there's a lot less of a feeling of needing to give others a lot of personal space. Another thing also is that the common greeting is, you know, a cheek to cheek kiss, or like, on both sides, depending on typically the age of the person. Less than professional settings, I would say like, you know, maybe don't kiss someone that you've just met in the office, but outside of the office, that's a very typical greeting for basically anyone that you meet. So it's another example of the sort of close space between people.

Simon Kennell 11:41
important for me to know, I'm sorry, I need to jump in because I need to be sure. is, does this go for men as well? Like, if I meet another man, I would do that or no?

Keren Hovav 11:51
Well, that's a good question. Um, no. I think that women do it with one another, and men and women do also with one another. I have seen men do it to each other as well. But I would say it's a little less common. (Simon: Okay. Okay). Maybe don't you don't initiate it. But if someone hears that, it's not a big deal.

Simon Kennell 12:16
Okay. All right. Good to know, good to know.

Paola Pascual 12:19
Very similar in Spain as well. So how about you were saying don't try it at the office? How would you greet a colleague to just met for the first time?

Keren Hovav 12:32
So I would say if it's someone that you like, don't know, at all, maybe you haven't communicated with really a handshake is always a safe bet. I think that also there is sort of an expectation if they know that you're coming from abroad, you know, Israelis, we know that there's different cultural standards and other places. So a handshake is always a good baseline. I think if you're not sure, but I would say that if it's someone that you have been, like, you know, meeting with on zoom often or speaking with on the phone, someone you've emailed with a lot... Don't be surprised if they go in either for a cheek kiss or a hug, because they'll probably feel sort of friendly and close with you. So don't want to do that. Great. How about eye contact? Strong eye contact? Oh,

Paola Pascual 13:21
Awesome. So when we had the first, the first episode we had around the series was on how to communicate with US Americans. And one thing we did emphasize was that, of course, each individual is different. And we're only talking in general terms. These are observations we've done from our own experience. Keren, you're, you're from Israel yourself. But of course, there's different people in of course, yeah. just wanted to quickly emphasize that. Right. So that's, that's a bit around how people communicate in Israel, when it comes to nonverbal communication. So how we use our body. Let's jump on verbal communication. So the words and the voice and so on. Keren, how would you describe it?

Keren Hovav 14:11
Yeah, I think the best way to summarize it is very direct. But I would also encourage people to start looking at it as like, direct and warm. So it's, it's a very direct culture where people will tell you exactly what they think. But that's also a way that they're showing you that they care, their care, they care about you. They care about what you're talking about, they care about the project you're working on. And that's why they're saying everything that they think because they really want it to be the best. And so I think that sometimes Israelis can definitely be misinterpreted as very rude. I'm sure Israelis are also rude of the time, you know, they don't mean to be rude. They're trying to be helpful. They're trying to be open, they're trying to contribute, and that gets taken as root. Because it's very, it's a very direct culture. So while I know most people know, direct, I encourage everyone to also try to see it, you know, it's warm. And like a positive thing, what you see is what you get.

Paola Pascual 15:13
That's very sweet. That's something I love about Israel. We did say that Americans. And by that I mean, US Americans are quite assertive and direct. But what happens when you compare them to Israelis? Are they on similar levels of directness?

Keren Hovav 15:31
I would say definitely not. I think that it's something that I teach in a lot of my lessons, actually, is this sort of code of directness that US Americans have. You know, they say one thing, and everybody just kind of knows that that means another thing. Right? So if I said, That's interesting, right? It sounds like I'm saying this is Oh, I'm very interested in what you have to say. But it's a code for I don't know about this. So where us American would be directed? Oh, that's interesting. And everyone sort of knows they're being direct. And Israeli was I think that's a bad idea, or what, this is weird. Why are we doing this? Right. And so it's just another level of directness very clear.

Paola Pascual 16:14
Alright. Um, do they..? So I noticed that they tend to be more informal than other countries. Does that also happen in business?

Keren Hovav 16:27
Yeah, I mean, especially, you'll see it in things even like dress code. It's very casual. Also, there's a lot of, you know, social events that also go on, people in the office tend to be friends also with one another, or at least spend a lot of time together in social situations. It's not uncommon to be invited to someone's family home for a Shabbat dinner, within like, an hour of meeting them. Oh, you know, so it, it is very much, um, you know, we're friends, and the hierarchy that exists within companies is also a little bit more blurred. People won't hesitate to disagree with a boss or interrupt someone in a meeting, and things like that. So there is just a little bit less of that formality. Also, in terms of topics of conversation that are appropriate and acceptable, you know, someone might ask you about your salary right after they've met you. And that's very normal. How much do you pay for rent? What do you make? How much did your shoes cost? And that can make people from other cultures feel uncomfortable, because it's a taboo subject in their culture. But here, it's, you know, quite normal, or to ask you about your love life, you know, personal questions. That's also something that comes up.

Simon Kennell 17:43
Yeah, that was something we talked about in the previous episode, right was, you know, the dinner table conversations, right that in the US, it's like, you always avoid these topics, if you're not really close with the person. And yeah, money is is one of those politics, religion, right. So those are ones that you tend to avoid unless you know the person really well. But I think it's also interesting that, you know, we're talking about Yeah, the kind of the Blurred Lines and the hierarchy and everything like that. And I kind of wanted to ask a little bit as well about what is what about, like, silence and the role that silence plays in conversation? Because we talked about this as an American, I'm typically pretty uncomfortable with a silent period in a conversation in I mean, in Israeli communication, do you feel like that people are kind of talk over each other? Or do you feel like you take time, kind of, you know, collect your thought and then and then and then go back into the conversation?

Keren Hovav 18:44
That's, that's a great question. And I'm laughing because I'm trying to like, imagine a conversation with more than two Israelis where there is any silence. It is a very people interrupt one another talk over one another. Everyone has something to say. Everyone has an opinion. Again, of course, we're generalizing here. There are, you know, shy people here, quiet people here, of course, that exists, but in general, yeah. Lots of overlapping chatter. I'm trying to think of an example where it was like a silence and a group conversation that I had.

Simon Kennell 19:19
And so and as well, with this kind of touching back on, like, you talked about the more egalitarian structure in in companies in Israel. So I mean, and how that may be applies to if you were from a different country, and you were working with an Israeli team. I mean, what does that communication look like with your Yes, superior? I mean, you know, formality, like first name, last name, kind of, how does that kind of go into that?

Keren Hovav 19:51
Right, well, so I think that it's always best you know, someone signs their emails in a certain way, right. If you're communicating long distance, it's always a good idea to Stick with their signature. But within ISRO, the formality of names, it's very informal. So I teach in a school. And all my students, they don't call me Miss, they call me, Karen. And so you have to understand that Israelis are growing up calling their principal and their teachers and everyone that is a quote unquote authority figure in their life by their first name. And I think a great example of this as well as our you know, previous Prime Minister, everyone called him Bibi, you know, that's a nickname. So even at the level of Prime Minister of the country, you still get a nickname, and everyone calls you, BB, not even here full name. Right. So I think that those are good examples of that lack of formality and hierarchy. So it's very interesting.

Simon Kennell 20:50
Yeah, I've just I'm thinking about that, because so in Danish culture, as well, there's that more informal and it's more egalitarian. And the being direct is more coming from a place of honesty. And this is this is the value of honesty in in communicating directly. Is that this is similar to Israel, you think? Because from from what you're saying, it sounded like it was more? I'm telling you what I think because I want, yeah, I care. And I want to be a part of this. But do you think that that that value of honesty as well kind of comes into that being more direct?

Keren Hovav 21:33
I mean, I think it does, just inherently because it is very, it's like, you know, it's honesty, right? It's radical honesty, just saying everything that you think. But I think that the place where you also see it is on the personal level, where someone will just intervene in your life, you'll be walking down the street, you know, especially if you're a new mother, some of my friends just had babies, there'll be walking down the street with their baby, and someone says, oh, you're your baby should be wearing more clothes. It's very cold outside, Oh, you didn't put a hat on your baby, what are you doing? Right, and this is just a random person in the street. So I think it does tend more to the "I care". And so I'm going to tell you everything, I think sort of thing. Like it's like if an Israeli doesn't really have an opinion about what you're doing, might be a little suspicious, like, take a moment to check in on that. So I do think it is a care thing. And I think within the professional setting, it's the The theme is innovation. Now, right? So we don't have time for this, like, you know, coded message of, Oh, well, let's think about maybe the No, this is what we need to do. This is what you need to do. We need to get it done. You did it wrong. Do it. Right. Let's go. Right. Right. I think that those are the two faces of that directness.

Simon Kennell 22:46
And that's so fascinating, because that's definitely what I, I see a lot. I mean, we work with a lot of young Israeli startups. And there is this. There is this kind of like, time is money. It's about speed and innovation and moving fast. And that kind of fits in perfectly with the communication style, it seems like. Yeah, I mean, they go hand in hand. Great. Great. So So can we get into some tips? What are some takeaways? If I'm getting ready to work with an Israeli startup, and I'm a little bit nervous, like going into this? How should I communicate? What are some takeaways that we can give?

Keren Hovav 23:26
Sure. So I think that just you know, as we continue talking about directness, on your end, as someone sort of coming into this culture, on one hand, take everything with a bit of a grain of salt, right. So what might be, you know, hurtful or offensive to you, and someone did this wrong. Take a moment and try not to take it personally, because they don't mean it as a personal attack. Try to see it as constructive and again, warm and caring. And try to just reframe that in your mind, you'll do a lot better within the professional setting here. And you'll just feel happier also. And on the other side of that coin is trying to be very direct yourself, even though it may feel uncomfortable, interestingly enough, in the same way, that people from other cultures see Israeli directness as very rude or abrasive. Israelis can see this sort of coded message or over-politeness, as either suspicious, like, What are you hiding? Why are you not saying something? Right? Like, we just say what we need and what we want. And when we think, and you aren't doing that, and I'm curious about what you're hiding, right? So that can be one interpretation. Another interpretation might be that you don't know, right? They might think that you're not doing a good job or you're not qualified or you don't know the answers. Maybe because you start a sentence with you know, I think that we could do that this way to an Israeli it's like what you think you think we could not tell us what we can do. Right? So trying on your like yourself to be more direct in those sorts of things. And of course, don't beat yourself up too much. It is also a very forgiving culture, in the sense of you know, there aren't too many social faux pas is very forgiving, people are understanding and they'll generally legal, they'll generally let you know if you've messed up. So that's not the right culture, right? telling you, you did something wrong, you probably didn't do anything wrong. And they understand there's different cultures, you know. So it is it is quite forgiving in that way as well. And then another tip would be to just be very friendly and to not sort of shy away from breaking what in your mind might be a professional boundary. So you know, sharing a little bit about your personal life when someone asks, maybe it's not something you would normally do. But if you feel comfortable, that will make the person feel closer to you. Again, with the names right, the Miss whatever versus first name basis, most people will be on first-name basis, going out for drinks, or talking about your personal life, things like that, I would encourage you to be more open maybe than you normally would. And then just like a very technical thing would be when writing emails. Israelis are known for writing short emails, sometimes to the point where they will put the entire message in the subject line. So don't be surprised if you receive emails like that. And you'll probably be more effective if you write short emails yourself. Okay,

Simon Kennell 26:29
Great. Great. Wow. Okay, so we really are giving some good takeaways. I'm kind of now I'm thinking about the Israeli students that I work with and how suspicious I might seem. So that's Yeah, this is good to know. This is good to know. Um, perfect. Well, I think we're gonna wrap it up there for today. But Keren, thank you so much for taking the time and yeah, giving us the masterclass on communication with Israelis.

Keren Hovav 27:01
Yeah. Thank you so much for having me. It was really fun.

Simon Kennell 27:03
Great, great. Great. Well, I think we're going to stop there unless there's anything else. Paola, Keren?

Paola Pascual 27:11
Just one little thing! We just released our, or started, our first Telegram channel. So if you're listening and you're on telegram look for Talaera Business English. We'll be sharing lots of tips and events and all the new great stuff coming.

Simon Kennell 27:30
Awesome. Cool. Cool. Cool. All right. Well, thank you both. Again, Keren. Thank you so much. And to all the listeners out there. I know we have a lot of his listeners in Israel and everywhere else around the world. I hope you enjoyed it. And as always, keep learning!

Outro 27:48
And that's all we have for you today. We hope you enjoyed it, and remember to subscribe to Talaera Talks. We'll be back soon with more! And visit our website at https://talaera.com for more valuable content on business English. You can also request a free consultation on the best ways for you and your team to improve your communication skills. So have a great day and keep learning!

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6 Excellent Communication Tips For Working With Israelis | Talaera

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Learn interesting facts about the Israeli culture from our Israeli teacher Keren and get 6 awesome tips to communicate with Israelis.

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Cultural patterns impact what we see, who we see, and how we act based on them. The goal of The Culture Map by Erin Meyer is to help us decode signs of different cultures and help the reader thrive in a global environment.

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We currently offer four tools available for purchase. The first three tools provide readers of The Culture Map an opportunity to map out themselves, their teammates, and dozens of world cultures on the eight Culture Map dimensions. The fourth tool allows readers of either No Rules Rules or The Culture Map to map out their corporate culture on the Culture Map dimensions.

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How to Handle Cross-Cultural Differences in Business 

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How to Handle Cross-Cultural Differences in Business 

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How to handle cross-cultural differences in business | Maria Pastorelli | TEDxNYUShanghai

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Erin Meyer (The Culture Map, No Rules Rules) is an author and professor at the INSEAD Business School, based in Paris. Erin joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how feedback is interpreted differently in various cultures, who the most direct and confrontational culture is, and how to move beyond stereotypes to understand the more complex issues we are unaware are affecting us. Erin teaches us how we need to build empathy and develop strategies when interacting with people from other cultures, the direct to indirect negative feedback scale, and why Americans are seen as superficial and hypocritical in most European cultures. Erin explains how we express disagreement differently in many parts of the world, how every culture is deferring to authority less than their parents did, and that you need to understand the differences in cultures in order to make the right adjustments.

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Erin Meyer (The Culture Map, No Rules Rules) is an author and professor at the INSEAD Business School, based in Paris. Erin joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how feedback is interpreted differently in various cultures, who the most direct and confrontational culture is, and how to move beyond ste

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15 of the Most Important Things to Know When Working in Israel

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15 of the Most Important Things to Know When Working in Israel

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Things to Know When Working in Israel | Citizen Café TLV

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Interested in working in Israel? Here are some tips that will help you navigate your workplace in Israel. 1. Dive deep into your own company. Get to know other projects and different teams, and network internally – this shows involvement, motivation, and rosh gadol (see number two). In addition, it’s a good way to gain […]

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Erin Meyer: Working Across Cultures - Global Matters

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Erin Meyer: Working Across Cultures - Global Matters

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Erin Meyer: Working Across Cultures - Global Matters

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Business Daily - The Culture Gap - BBC Sounds

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Researcher Erin Meyer of INSEAD business school on doing business across cultures.

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Building Cross-Cultural Relationships in a Global Workplace

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Six elements to keep in mind as you're trying to forge bonds.

Most of us never consider how culture shapes our expectations and assumptions about relationship building. But research shows that our cultural upbringing influences how we form and maintain connections with others - often quite significantly. This article identifies six core elements of the relationship code: where relationship building takes place, who can initiate relationships with whom, what kinds of relationships people attempt to form, what types of personal information people share, how people present themselves in the early stages of getting acquainted, and how quickly we expect to establish a working sense of trust and rapport. These elements are at the root of the confusion and misunderstanding that can occur when people attempt to build relationships across cultures. By paying attention to these six elements, global workers will gain insight into why things may "feel different" when getting to know their colleagues. They may even discover they have more in common with their colleagues than they thought.

As he refreshed his email for what felt like the hundredth time, Partha Shah still couldn't believe what he was seeing: a job offer from one of the Fortune 100 global technology companies he had dreamed about since starting business school. His application had been a longshot - he didn't have the quantitative chops the company was looking for. But Partha did bring many other things to the table, like his marketing internships, a keen sense of strategy and design, and the ability to seamlessly interact across cultures. This last talent came naturally: He had easily made friends with students from nearly every continent, he followed creators from around the world to stay up on global trends, and he leapt at any chance to travel abroad. Given his deep interest in cultures near and far, the part of his new job that he was least worried about was the multicultural aspect.

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How to build a better, more just workplace.

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Building Cross-Cultural Relationships in a Global Workplace

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Most of us never consider how culture shapes our expectations and assumptions about relationship building. But research shows that our cultural upbringing influences how we form and maintain connections with others - often quite significantly.

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On Doug's first trip to visit Campbell's Mexican production facilities during his tenure as the new CEO, he held a large group meeting with employees. In his earnest but brash way, he pressed them to engage in candid dialogue with him. It didn't go well. The employees were visibly uncomfortable and it was clear that they felt the forum was disrespectful. Doug later learned that the employees thought it was inappropriate to speak so openly to leadership in a group setting. He apologized to the local management and acknowledged his lack of understanding. It was an early - and humbling - lesson in the importance of cultural fluency.

Cultural fluency in leadership is critical for building trust, and is a competency that has been repeatedly linked to financial performance. Building long term cross-cultural relationships leads to increased creativity and out-of-the box thinking. It is an essential ingredient for driving productivity and innovation while also staving off the kind of uniformity that can lead to "groupthink" (which can limit a company's ability to reach a global customer base).

So why don't more corporate leaders possess this skill? Often, they want to, but they don't know how to translate their good intentions into leadership practices. It is very difficult for managers to diagnose their own blind spots, and even trickier to fix the ones they see. Instead of seeking to more deeply understand how other cultural groups view certain interactions, managers often view business interactions and communications through the lens of their own cultural framework. Other times, cultural differences are overlooked in pursuit of efficiency, to avoid mistakes, or out of fear of being politically incorrect. This myopia can create a disconnect that leaves both the manager and the employee feeling frustrated and unable to get the best work done.

For leaders to engage their workforce to deliver maximum value, they must learn how to fully utilize the talent of all employees, not just those who are similar to themselves. Here's how to build your cultural fluency:

Reflect: Assess your own competence level and get expert guidance.

It is difficult to self-diagnose your own skillsets because of your blind spots. In other words, you can't manage something you can't measure. Obtaining external expertise to benchmark both your personal and organizational cultural competence can help. Based on our experience facilitating multi-year projects in global organizations, the most accurate, reliable, and objective measurement tool is the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) - a rigorously validated, research-backed measure that individuals can use to assess their cultural competence in leadership. Because it is based on a developmental model, not only does it assess your cultural competence, it also provides a roadmap for future learning by identifying the mindsets (and behaviors) required to adapt your leadership.

Once you understand your areas of improvement, consider working with someone outside of your organization who can objectively guide you on where to focus first. It may be adjusting a strategy for onboarding new clients from different cultural backgrounds. It may be learning how to better motivate multicultural teams. Or it may be checking your assumptions about why people act the way they do - personalities are often shaped by culture, and it's important to understand the context of an employee's behavior.

For example, Doug worked with his coauthor Jane, a global leadership strategist, to learn how his behaviors reflected the culture in which he was brought up. He learned that his perspective was heavily influenced by being male and by his American-based value system. Doug had been interpreting situations based on his version of "treating people with respect" without a deeper understanding of how those behaviors landed with his audience.

Act with intent: Be curious and open to learning a new way of managing.

To individuals who have grown up in cultures different than your own, your management style could be ineffective, and even considered inappropriate. As a leader, you must be willing to adjust your approach to others. Never assume that others will adapt to you.

If you are headquartered in one country and are assigned to lead a project with a cross-cultural team in a different market, think about how you will approach workers when you meet them for the first time and be ready to question your "default managing mode." Ask yourself: How will I obtain each team member's input as the project gets started? What's the most effective way to debrief after our first meeting? This can apply to employees in your own office or employees abroad.

Consider what adjustments you can make to help each team member feel comfortable contributing. An "open door policy" is a good way to encourage communication, but it may not be enough when you are first getting to know your team - not everyone will want to walk through your door. Listening more than talking is another strategy. Wait for others to speak up before stating your own ideas in a meeting, and allow silence on a conference call after asking a question. This will help you observe how your various team members prefer to communicate.

Lastly, if you encounter something that you don't understand, it is better to ask rather than to assume. You may find that this takes more time in the first few meetings, but it will pay off in the long run. Building a foundation of trust is essential and will help your team overcome conflict should it later arise.

Doug's experience offers a case in point. Over time, he discovered that people from different cultures (in and outside of the U.S.) interpreted his zealous approach as disrespectful. This discovery led to an ongoing exploration of how to shift his behaviors when engaging with colleagues from diverse backgrounds. After a few years, his cultural fluency in leadership visibly improved, as evidenced by greater engagement scores from his global teams. But even today, it is a continuous process that requires constant reflection and learning.

Practice: Remain non-judgmental when conflict surfaces.

When conflicts driven by cultural differences arise between you and a team member, it's best to clear the air by talking face-to-face. Schedule a one-on-one meeting with that individual and ask yourself these questions beforehand - they will help suspend any cultural beliefs or biases that may affect your approach:

1) What might this person be thinking? Consider their feelings and concerns. Try to understand where your employee is coming from, and how cultural context may play a part. You'll be more equipped to work towards a solution.

2) How can I best connect with them? Think about how to create an environment in which your colleague feels comfortable speaking about the situation. It may be helpful to consult a knowledgeable intermediary or coach beforehand to discuss the best approach.

During the meeting itself, focus on listening deeply to your team member - use non-judgmental observation instead of criticizing. Make it clear that you want to work with them to find a resolution, and in the end, make your team stronger. If you've noticed this team member refrains from speaking up about their opinions in your presence, for example, you can say: "Your insights during our one-on-ones are excellent. The next time we have a meeting be prepared to share something with the group, so I can give you an opportunity to show what your hard work has accomplished."

You should also be open to adjusting your own management style. Asking your team member for feedback can help. Are there any actions you can take or changes you can make to obtain their full engagement? The goal is to give feedback and also get feedback about the best way to engage the other party.

Remember, like any other leadership competency, cultural fluency is a muscle that can be strengthened, but not built overnight. If you want to win the hearts and minds of your employees in a multicultural setting, the secret is to stay humble, remain curious about learning diverse perspectives, and be willing to adapt your communication approach. Only then will you tap into the power cultural differences can bring to your organization.

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On Doug's first trip to visit Campbell's Mexican production facilities during his tenure as the new CEO, he held a large group meeting with employees. In his earnest but brash way, he pressed them to engage in candid dialogue with him. It didn't go well.

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We've all been there: You're talking to someone from another culture - perhaps while on a business trip or working with a colleague on a project - when you get a sinking feeling that you've made a mistake. Maybe it was a joke that misfired, an unintentional violation of personal space, or a misreading of the context and cues that resulted in someone losing face.

If the mistake happened in your own culture, you could quickly recover, because you'd have a grasp of the etiquette for apologizing. However, when gaffes happen across cultures, they can leave you at a loss for what to do and how to respond.

Here is our five-step process for not only recovering from cultural faux pas but turning them into learning opportunities.

1. Ditch your obsession with performance. To start, reframe how you approach making mistakes, and accept them as inevitable side effects of working across cultures. This is admittedly difficult - especially for perfectionists and those who have a lot on the line, like a member of a global sales team trying to close a deal. It's also hard if you operate with what psychologist Carol Dweck calls a performance mindset, where mistakes are perceived as evidence of your underlying limitations.

The problem is that when we obsess over the possibility of making mistakes, or panic about how to recover, our thinking constricts. This psychological tightening makes it harder to be loose, spontaneous, and authentic, which is critical for building relationships in the first place.

A perfectionistic, performance-oriented mindset can also make the situation feel more dire than it really is and lead to incorrect and counterproductive assumptions. For example, it can lead us to think that the goal of the cross-cultural encounter is to precisely mimic or "perform" the other culture, as if we are being graded on our performance. This can lead to catastrophizing ("If I bow the wrong way, I'll blow this deal!"), which takes a toll and delivers little in return.

Far more helpful - and enjoyable - is a learning mindset, where you see mistakes as learning opportunities and chances for improvement. Granted, if you begin as a perfectionist, it's not so easy to transform into a learner, but it's not impossible. Remember that improvement takes time and will likely involve making mistakes along way.

2. Equip yourself with knowledge. Cultural faux pas often happen in the flow of everyday life in a new culture, but they can also occur in one-off situations, like a networking event, an interview, or a public speaking opportunity. In these cases, you have more time and resources to prepare yourself by learning the cultural norms. For example, if your role in the company requires you to attend banquets with manufacturing partners in China, you can find out ahead of time what appropriate behavior looks like for your Chinese counterparts and what kinds of cultural trip wires may be present.

You and Your Team Series

Working Across Cultures

Look into what verbal and body language people use when faux pas occur. For example, do they say "Excuse me" or "I'm sorry" - or even smile, laugh, bow, or look away? Do they accept responsibility, show contrition or humility, address it publicly or discreetly, blame it on a subordinate or fate, crack a joke, or simply ignore it and act like nothing happened? Keep in mind that most cultures don't have one-size-fits-all rules for reacting to mistakes, and context is key. (Even in your own country, it would be a very different matter to have a joke fall flat with a coworker than to accidentally insult a major client.) To obtain these insights, make a habit of observing how people in the culture behave, talk to those with whom you are already building relationships, and consider working with a cultural insider or coach.

Finally, because faux pas usually happen with other people, an important part of your preparation is to invest in key relationships ahead of time. If you regularly work or interact with someone in a positive way, they'll be more likely to see your faux pas as well-intentioned efforts to act appropriately by someone they like and admire - which of course cuts you some slack as you experiment with unfamiliar cultural behavior.

3. When you make a mistake, keep your cool. How you respond to a cultural mistake often matters as much as the fact that you've messed up, so before reacting, take a breath and remember your preparations.

First, assess what kind of mistake you've made and whether damage control is necessary. Some gaffes are merely amusing and benefit from a self-deprecating smile, whereas others require an apology. If one is in order - and if you've learned what apologies look like in this culture - you can try to deliver one that gets close to what is appropriate. Just as important, if you have established a bond with the people involved, it will be that much easier for them to ignore, dismiss, or forgive it.

4. Engage in self-reflection. Apologizing or responding in the moment may facilitate damage control, but the real learning comes when you use self-reflection to transform your mistake into a cross-cultural lesson you can use.

Start with guided self-reflection questions to better comprehend and create meaning out of the faux pas. For example: What did you do? How did people react? How did you know that you had made a mistake? What other responses were available, and why did you choose the one you did? What might you have missed or assumed? What did you not understand? And what different choices would you make next time?

By examining your interpretations and reactions, you can glean insights about the other culture and about yourself. Consider writing your thoughts down on paper, too. This can help you see them in a more objective and appreciative light. You'll also have them ready to share with your cultural coach or informant in the next step.

5. Get feedback. A big part of having a learning attitude is showing that you're open to feedback. Getting feedback is the cornerstone of the cultural learning process, because without it, you'll never really be able to get outside your head and know if you're doing it right.

Periodically check in with those you are already building relationships with, and ask them if they've noticed you doing anything that might be culturally inappropriate. This gives them the opportunity to provide feedback and clearly signals that you're open to receiving it in the future, should something arise. If you know that you have an event coming up, like a presentation to upper management in another country, you can even do some practice runs and get feedback before you step into the "performance" setting.

It's also ideal if you can get feedback shortly after you commit a faux pas - and here is where your self-reflection work comes in. After sharing the scenario and your insights with the people you're building relationships with, you could ask them to help you understand what you're missing, where you went wrong, and what a better interaction would look like from the perspective of the other culture. Depending on the nature of the relationship, and whether you have caused offense, you may also want to get feedback about how to make things right again. Ask whether there is anything you can do, or more indirectly, invite them to join you for a coffee to repair any damage. This can help you move forward and also sets the learning process in motion again, with its emphasis on building relationships.

If you're in an encounter with someone you haven't built a relationship with yet, you can also lean on your own foreignness, rather than covering it up. This tactic can be especially useful if people can't visibly tell that you are from a different culture and therefore might not be giving you the benefit of the doubt. Once they know that you're a cultural outsider, they may slow down, show or tell you what would work better, or even smile or laugh.

In the end, no one wants to commit cultural mistakes, but they are the very best way to learn. By adopting a proactive stance where you work toward avoiding faux pas while simultaneously leveraging them as learning opportunities, you'll have a major leg up in your ongoing development as a global professional.

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We've all been there: You're talking to someone from another culture - perhaps while on a business trip or working with a colleague on a project - when you get a sinking feeling that you've made a mistake.

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Mastering Cross-Cultural Management: 10 Ways to Enhance Your Skills

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Mastering Cross-Cultural Management: 10 Ways to Enhance Your Skills

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Work Culture In The UK: A Comprehensive Overview

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Work Culture In The UK: A Comprehensive Overview

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Work Culture In The UK: A Comprehensive Overview | NNRoad

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Work culture in the UK has its own unique characteristics and plays a significant role in shaping the business landscape. By gaining a comprehensive

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Work Effectively with Teammates from India

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Work Effectively with Teammates from India

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Work Effectively with Virtual Teammates from India

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Jennifer Kumar, a US expat in India for 10 years, shares tips Americans can consider to work effectively with teammates from India.

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Indian Cultural Values Driving Excellence in the Workplace

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Indian Cultural Values Driving Excellence in the Workplace

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Wishup Blog | Remote Teams | Remote Employees

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Indian Cultural Values Driving Excellence In The Workplace

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Learn about the different Indian work culture values that make the Indian workers stand out from the rest of the global talent pool.

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A Guide to Understanding Etiquette & the Working Culture in Asia

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A Guide to Understanding Etiquette & the Working Culture in Asia

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13 Nov 2022

Asia is home to over 4.7 billion people. To put this into perspective, approximately two-thirds of the world's population lives in Asia, which makes Asia one of the most populous continents in the world. In the last few decades, Asia has shown accelerated economic growth, which has led it to become one of the most fast-moving, creative, innovative, and competitive places in the world to work.

Due to its fast-paced nature, there are huge opportunities for various businesses in all shapes and sizes to grow successfully. Aside from its significant economic potential, Asia is the number one destination for people worldwide for its beautiful environment, rich cultures, and more. With so much to offer, it's no surprise that many people fall in love with Asia and want to build a life here.

Although you may love the cultural differences you've come across in terms of food, fashion, and lifestyle in Asia, navigating through the different cultural differences in the workplace can be difficult, confusing, and even shocking at times.

In this article, we'll highlight some of the differences between Asian and Western working cultures and environments, as well as how you can make your assimilation easier and smoother for yourself and your colleagues.

The Differences between Asian Work Culture & Western Work Culture

When moving to a different country, especially a different country on a completely different continent, you're going to run into differences, whether it's differences in your ideology, beliefs, or simple things like habits and personalities.

Here are a few differences you can expect if you're moving to Asia for work:

Let's look at a few different ways you can gain "face" and avoid losing "face" in Asia:

In most cultures, you would tend to give more respect to those who are senior or older than you. For example, in families, you would generally respect your elder siblings more. However, that value is even stronger in Asian culture.

In Asia, it is not normal to disrespect the elder generation, this disrespect can come in the form of defying commands, talking back, or arguing with someone more senior, and it can even be considered impolite to address them by their first name - something that is very common in the West.

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For those enteng a new company for the first time, especially п you are young , you will be considered a junior regardless of how much experience you may think you have. Asians tend to respect those who are older or more senior than them. So, you must be careful about your office culture when joining a new company.

If you need to contradict your bosses or colleagues older than you, we recommend that you do it discreetly and politely so that they avoid losing "face," which can create tension in the office.

In the West, people tend to be more direct, straightforward, or even blunt in their communication, which can be seen as aggressive in the Asian work culture. Although there are benefits to this straightforward way of communication, in Asia, it can be detrimental and can make people shut down and withdraw from the conversation entirely.

In the Asia work culture, people prefer more indirect paths in communication and negotiation, with a high level of politeness and respect coupled with it. Knowing and understanding these differences in communication styles will ensure you find a good middle ground in negotiations or any problem-solving process.

Tips for Navigating Through The Differences
1. Punctuality in the workplace
In every type of scenario, not just in the workplace, punctuality makes you look . It shows that you have the responsibility and professionalism to plan for contingencies. It also shows that you value other people's time and effort. Thus, being punctual increases your credibility and reputation at work.
2. Building trust and relationships 3. Showing respect during conversations
As we previously mentioned, communication styles will be completely different in the East compared to the West. When meeting or talking to somebody for the first time in Asia, it is a good idea to watch what your counterpart does first, either shake hands, or bow to show your respect. Anything more than shaking hands is generally too intimate and uncomfortable for many people in Asia, so don't initiate unnecessary physical contact unless the other person does first.

4. Decision- making processes

As you will soon learn, the decision-making process in Asia flows from the top and downwards. In this hierarchical management style, the power and decision-making generally remain with those at the top, such as your boss or manager. Power gradually decreases the further you are down in the hierarchy.

Top-down management has its ups and downs. For example, the advantage of top-down management during the implementation of a new system is that it can be smoother and less contentious since there is only one clear vision and

The Importance of Understanding & Respecting Different Cultures

Cultures vary from country to country, if we could all learn and understand more about other cultures, and respect their values and beliefs, we would be able to build a closer relationship and have a better understanding of one another. The most important thing is to treat everyone with respect, and accept that others may define "respect" differently.

If you're looking for relocate domestically, internationally, or even relocate your business, Asian Tigers has end-to-end services to support every aspect of your move to make this huge step more efficient and easier for you . Whether you're looking for experienced staff to handle your prized possessions, security and protection for your items, and more, we've got you covered.

If you found this article interesting, you might also be interested in taking a look at:

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Guide Understanding Etiquette & the Working Culture in Asia

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A Guide to Understanding Etiquette & the Working Culture in Asia. Approximately two-thirds of the world's population lives in Asia.

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Working in France: 10 Things about French Workplace Culture

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Working in France: 10 Things about French Workplace Culture

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10 Things to Know about French Work Culture

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In this article, you will learn about key insights on the French work culture to help you understand what to expect when working in France.

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What You Need to Know About the Workplace Culture in Germany

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What You Need to Know About the Workplace Culture in Germany

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Germany is well known for its efficient and productive work culture and the modern office environment in Germany reflects this. In recent years, there have been several changes in the way that work is done in Germany, with a focus on improving employee well-being and creating a more flexible and modern workplace.

The corporate culture is rooted in Germany's long history of cultural values that have shaped its society and economy.

Germany also offers several benefits to foreigners working in the country such as high salaries, excellent working conditions, social benefits, work-life balance and cultural experiences.

Read on to understand more about the modern German work culture and the impact of COVID-19 on the workplace culture in German cities.

A brief overview of the German value system in workplaces

The German workplace is shaped by a set of cultural values that emphasize community, punctuality, order, performance, thoroughness and responsibility. These values have helped Germany become one of the world's most efficient and productive economies and they continue to shape the country's approach to work and business.

One of the most prominent values in German work culture is the idea of community which emphasises the importance of working together and valuing the collective good over individual desires. This idea is reflected in the workplace, where cooperation and teamwork are highly valued.

Punctuality and order are also deeply ingrained in the German work culture.

Germans place a high value on being on time and emphasise the role of organisation and structure in all areas of life.

They take pride in achieving high levels of performance and productivity by making hard work and dedication a top priority.

The attention to detail, careful planning, and systematic approach to problem-solving are evident in the country's reputation for high-quality products and services.

The German value system also places great emphasis on accountability and transparency which drives them to make decisions that benefit both their organisation and society as a whole.

Work-life balance in Germany and the impact of COVID-19 on the workplace

In the wake of the global pandemic, remote work gained sudden popularity which brought discussions on employee well-being and job flexibility to the limelight. Although the pandemic increased work flexibility for many employees, Germany's approach to work-life balance had already been established.

With strict labour laws, flexible work arrangements and a culture of leisure time, individuals can achieve a healthy work-life balance which not only benefits employees but also leads to increased productivity and job satisfaction.

Employers who prioritize their employees' well-being and work-life balance see higher employee retention, as well as an overall more positive work environment.

Germany has strict labour laws which have imposed regulations on working hours resulting in a maximum of 48 hours per week. This is lower than the EU average of 60 hours per week.

Companies also provide several paid leaves a year creating chances for their employees to relax and enjoy family time.

Many companies also offer part-time or remote work options, allowing employees to work from home or adjust their hours to better suit their personal lives.

This flexibility enables individuals to prioritize their families, hobbies, and other aspects of their lives while still fulfilling their professional responsibilities.

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Need to Know About the Workplace Culture in Germany

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Do you want to know more about workplace culture in Germany? Read this article to find out more.

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How Cultural Awareness Can Improve Your Relationships

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How Cultural Awareness Can Improve Your Relationships

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Cultural awareness, sometimes referred to as cultural sensitivity, is defined by the NCCC (National Center for Cultural Competence) as being cognizant, observant, and conscious of the similarities and differences among and between cultural groups.

Becoming more culturally aware is a continual process and it can help to have curiosity, an open mind, a willingness to ask questions, a desire to learn about the differences that exist between cultures, and an openness to becoming conscious of one's own culturally shaped values, beliefs, perceptions, and biases.

The Value of Cultural Awareness

Read on to learn more about cultural awareness, including the impacts it can have, how to become more culturally aware, how to approach conversations about cultural awareness, and how to address cultural awareness in intercultural relationships.

The Importance of Cultural Awareness

Cultural awareness involves learning about cultures that are different from your own. But it's also about being respectful about these differences, says Natalie Page Ed.D., chief diversity officer at Saint Xavier University in Chicago. "It's about being sensitive to the similarities and differences that can exist between different cultures and using this sensitivity to effectively communicate without prejudice and racism," she explains.

5 Reasons Why Cultural Awareness Is Important

How to Be More Culturally Aware

Knowing about the importance of being more culturally aware is one thing, but actually taking steps to do so is something else.

Here are a few tips for how to go about becoming more culturally aware.

Understand That It's a Process

"Becoming culturally aware is a process that is fluid, birthed out of a desire to learn more about other cultures," says Dr. Page.

She says it can be helpful to study the model laid out by Dr. Ibram Kendi, the author of How To Be An Antiracist. Dr. Kendi says that there are basically three paths to growing cultural awareness:

"The first is moving from the fear zone, where you are afraid and would rather stay in your own culture comfort zone," Dr. Page describes.

Next is moving into the learning zone, where you strive to learn about different cultures, how people acquire their cultures, and culture's important role in personal identities, practices, and mental and physical health of individuals and communities. The learning zone can also include becoming more aware of your own culturally shaped values, beliefs, and biases and how they impact the way you see yourself and others.

"The last phase is the growth zone, where you grow in racial advocacy and allyship," says Dr. Page.

Ask Questions

Dr. White says that asking questions is a vital part of becoming more culturally aware. You can start by asking yourself some important questions, such as: "How is my culture affecting how I interact with and perceive others?" Dr. White suggests.

Educate Yourself and Do the Work

There's no way around it: if you want to become more culturally aware, you need to take action and educate yourself.

"Don't lean on assumptions," says Dr. White. "Actually research cultures different from yours." This can help you become more aware of how culture affects every aspect of your life and the lives of others. In addition to research, educating yourself often involves seeking and participating in meaningful interactions with people of differing cultural backgrounds. "Expand your network to include people from different cultures into your circle," Dr. White recommends.

Study the Cultural Competence Continuum Model

The Cultural Competence Continuum Model is an assessment tool that helps us understand where people are on their journey to becoming more culturally competent.

Different people fall into various categories along the continuum. Categories include cultural destructiveness, cultural incapacity, cultural blindness, cultural pre-competence, cultural competence, and cultural proficiency.

Studying this model can help us become more aware of the process of moving toward more cultural sensitivity, and become more patient with ourselves and others as we move through the process.

Acknowledge Your Own Bias

We all have our own biases when it comes to cultural awareness, because we all begin by looking at the world and at others through our own cultural lens.

It is important to acknowledge this as it can help us see how our cultural biases may prevent us from being as culturally sensitive as we wish to be.

What If I Say the Wrong Thing?

Often, people don't want to address topics having to do with culture or race because they are afraid they will say the wrong thing or make a mistake while talking to someone.

"If you make a mistake, simply apologize and let the person that you may have offended know that you are learning and be open to any suggestions they may have," she recommends. Sometimes it even makes sense to apologize in advance, if you are saying something you are unsure of. You can say, "I may have this wrong, so I apologize beforehand but..." Dr. Page suggests. "The key is to be sincere in your conversations and always open to learning from others," she says.

Making mistakes is a necessary part of the learning process and it is important to approach these topics and conversations with shared respect, compassion, and grace.

Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity in Intercultural/Interracial Relationships

If you are in a relationship with someone who is of a different race or culture than you, it's important to have open, honest discussions about this. "If a person is going to grow in interracial and intercultural relationships, you have to step out of your cultural comfort zone and seek an understanding about other cultures," says Dr. Page.

Questions to Ask Someone to Learn About Their Culture

Having a genuine discussion with someone about your differences can feel awkward, and it can be helpful to kick-start the conversation with a few open-ended questions. Dr. White shared some helpful questions:

Can you tell me about your culture?

Tell me a little something about how you were raised?

What role does religion play in your life?

Here are some additional questions that could be asked with respect and consent, to another (and also to yourself!):

What holidays and celebrations are important in your culture?

What customs and etiquette are important in your culture?

What is your favorite food in your culture?

Is religion an important part of life in your culture? If so, what religion do people practice most often and why do you think that is?

How do you express your cultural identity?

What stereotypes or misconceptions do people from your culture often face and what do you wish more people knew?

Is there anything about your culture that you find challenging?

How has your culture changed over time?

How do you think your culture has influenced your personal values and beliefs?

What is the importance of family in your culture?

Can I Ask Someone to Help Me Learn About Their Culture?

One of the important ways to develop culture awareness is to educate yourself about other cultures. Learning directly from people of different cultures is a fantastic way to get authentic information. But it's important to engage in conversations with others about their cultures in respectful, appropriate manners.

Finally, make sure to take it upon yourself to do some of the work. "Once you learn of someone's culture you wish to cultivate a relationship with, do your homework to learn as much as you can," Dr. White says. Don't simply rely on others to educate you-this may be seen as insensitive, Dr. White says.

Pitfalls of Not Developing Cultural Awareness

The main pitfalls of not developing cultural awareness is that we don't expand our understanding of other cultures, we don't deepen our relationship with people who are different than we are, and that we risk continuing to have a narrow view of the world around us.

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How Cultural Awareness Can Improve Your Relationships

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Cultural awareness is the understanding of other people's cultural identities and values and how their culture informs their life.

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Flex: The New Playbook for Managing Across Cultures (Book Summary)

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Flex: The New Playbook for Managing Across Cultures (Book Summary)

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Flex: The New Playbook for Managing Across Differences