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Tipping a waiter in the USA will make them grin, yet tipping a server in Korea may offend them. Extra incentives to get it properly the first time are insulting in a nation where people take great pride in their work. In the UK, people assume you’re happy when you laugh uncontrollably. In Japan, doing the same would make you appear impolite and make them laugh loudly, which they find offensive and repulsive.
In Argentina, it is considered courteous to arrive late for dinner because it allows the hosts more time to prepare. If you arrive on time, you will place undue strain on them. Furthermore, exposing the soles of your feet—the filthy parts that spend all of their time on the ground—is considered one of the rudest things you can do in Muslim, Hindu, Arab, and Buddhist cultures.
There are difficulties when working in a global setting and overcoming cultural barriers over the phone, email, video chat, or in person. The same is true if you merely hire individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds or engage with them in various ways. They could be your clients or suppliers.
However, when working across cultural boundaries, you must be mindful of and sensitive to things that may be acceptable in your own culture but offensive in another. Even the most basic things can differ greatly. There are differences even in the superficial aspects of cultures, such as how we greet one another.
There are more differences besides language.
Of course, social differences are not limited to language. Communication and behavior vary among cultures. One thing is certain, though: acting in a certain way helps others feel at ease, and that ease is crucial in the business world. In the end, it helps us accomplish our goals and builds strong relationships based on mutual respect and understanding.
Learning to be at ease with the differences—that is, accepting things that make you uncomfortable—is the key to understanding a new culture. Respect your personal space. In the UK, we like to keep a meter between ourselves and strangers, 80 cm from acquaintances, and just over 50 cm from those we like or care about. People in other nations, like Italy, like to be physically closer. Both sides may feel odd, disconnected, and surprisingly uneasy as a result of the disparity.
What, then, is “culture”?
In essence, our culture is the way our upbringing has shaped our thinking. It informs us of what is welcome and undesired, good and terrible, and sought and unwanted. It influences our perceptions of what is right and wrong. It’s also really powerful.
However, things can also get really difficult. Within a single culture, various social and economic classes may have completely diverse customs and traditions, all of which are deserving of respect. Additionally, organizations have complex, interdependent cultures and subcultures of their own.
Confidently navigating the waves
You must adjust to the group if you want to feel at ease, accepted, and valued there, which entails first understanding the distinctions.
Everyone can notice someone’s outside appearance, including their verbal and nonverbal cues. Their ideals, social style, and personal perceptions of the various cultures they encounter make up their inner selves as well. A person from a different culture may appear composed and tolerant of the circumstances. You might assume they don’t care because it’s part of their culture to hide feelings out of pride. They are indeed greatly impacted.
In order to bridge cultural divides, we must look for methods to better comprehend and relate to individuals from various cultures, which requires careful observation. To be adequately prepared, you must be able to recognize the minor distinctions in communication styles and learn about the cultural norms of the person you are speaking to.
Seeing the world from another person’s point of view is intriguing, and once you’ve done it, you’ve overcome one of the main problems with cross-cultural cooperation. You will be well on your approach to building a multicultural organization that truly capitalizes on your differences while operating elegantly, smoothly, and successfully. It is your responsibility to confront your own expectations and assumptions, try your best to see the world from other perspectives, and then identify and address any biases you may find inside yourself.
Seeing, comprehending, and adjusting
Although diversity is good for the globe as a whole, it isn’t always obvious. You can either confront issues, voice your displeasure, or be sensitive and culturally sensitive when you encounter a different culture that makes you uncomfortable. It is rarely beneficial to confront others since it pits you against them. You isolate yourself when you complain. But you actually gain from all that variation if you are perceptive and flexible. It all comes down to observing, comprehending, and acclimating to the new society you’re in or the individual from a culture that is so dissimilar from your own. To change your perception of people’s behavior, you must modify the lens through which you view difference