The world really has become smaller; people travel extensively to what were once unbelievable or glamorous places.   Until recently, people didn't even know where Borneo was - now it's the 'in' honeymoon destination.   And early baby boomers, now retired, routinely go on cruises to Polynesian islands or jet off to South America to ascend Machu Picchu...
 
Similarly, technology has enabled an exponential increase in communications (and business) between countries.  Some Western corporations have set up satellite service departments in different countries (e.g. India and South Africa) to cut overheads as local workers earn less that their western counterparts.  And, of course, opportunities for women, standards of health and safety, security and working conditions can differ widely from those in the UK.
 
What about these differences between our standards and values and those of the countries we enter as guests whether on business or holiday?  Should we simply accept other countries' norms?   Or, by questioning differences, are we are imposing our (subjective or superficial) standards and expectations?
 
In some countries, organisations employ teenagers to make tea and coffee on demand for administration staff.  Is this cheap (or child) labour or is it an acknowledgement that these youngsters need the income to help make their families' ends meet?  My experiences in India, a culture based on hierarchy, is that although teenagers may be referred to as 'tea boys', they are 'sons' to managers and 'brothers' to admin staff - in my opinion emphasising a respect for who they are and the economic role they fulfil within their family. 
 
In the Far East, staff routinely bow when talking to a manager and managers' decisions are never questioned or double checked, however unlikely they may sound.  Such behaviour differs between countries - in Korea staff bow from the waist whereas in Japan there is seemingly endless head nodding.  In Hong Kong everything appears (deceptively) very western but staff wouldn't dream of double checking a decision from a manager, even to be helpful.

The flip side can be the apparently dismissive attitude displayed by local managers towards non-management staff.  Such behaviour can be perceived as bullying - but in some countries staff accept this as normal and managers are expected to behave like this to emphasise their authority.  How comfortable do westerners feel overseas when they exposed to this type of behaviour? What about when local colleagues refer to senior managers as Sir or Madam or bow to them - do they follow suit?

In other countries there can be gender issues - around the recruitment, pay, promotion and treatment of women generally.  There can also be restrictive work / dress codes for women overseas (that said, in the UK women wearing trousers at work was routinely proscribed twenty or thirty years ago).  Is this acceptable?  What about when it's multinational corporations whose names are internationally recognisable and who operate elsewhere where they apply significantly different standards?  Should they apply UK / US standards?

Many organisations working in the Middle East adopt different working days / hours in accordance with local custom.  And some expatriate staff enjoy the holidays and celebrations of both their home and host countries - for example in a US corporation operating overseas US expats would expect to observe Thanksgiving as well as major local festivals.  But how far should an organisation operating overseas follow the rituals / celebrations of the host country?  For instance, not conducting business or arranging business lunches during Ramadan when most people don't eat during daylight hours? 

 

So where does the 'Guest' stand in another country? There is no definitive answer - only more questions. Individuals will need to evaluate the situations and make decisions/ behave accordingly.At a basic level, at heart it is about managing risks. Failure to properly manage these risks may have adverse and unintended consequences

Next Month - Top Tips on Dealing with Cultural Diversity.
In the meantime, if you require support or input specific to dealing effectively with cultural differences, please do contact Snéha at Blue Tulip Training for a free consultation session. Snéha@bluetuliptraining.co.uk

 

This Hindu festival marks the triumph of good over evil. The festival of Dasera concludes the festival of Navaratri, which extends over a number of days.