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I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stifled. I want all the cultures of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any.
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
Mahatama Gandhi
Born on October 2
'Life has to be an incessant process of repair and reconstruction, of discarding evil and developing goodness.... In the journey of life, if you want to travel without fear, you must have the ticket of a good conscience.'
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| Top Tips on Dealing with Cultural Differences |
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Speak slowly and clearly.
Focus on clearly enunciating and slowing down your speech. Even if you're pressured for time, don't rush through your communication. Doing so often takes more time, as miscommunication and misunderstanding can result and you'll ultimately have to invest additional time in clearing up the confusion.
Ask for clarification.
If you are not 100% sure you've understood what others say, politely ask for clarification. Avoid assuming you've understood what's been said. A good approach is to adopt an attitude of wanting to learn about another person's cultural expectations, and to ask. You may be used to making decisions unilaterally, whereas they may make decisions only through approval of a committee. The question to ask yourself is, "What will get the result I want?" Be pragmatic and do what works.
Frequently check for understanding.
Check both that you've understood what's been said and that others have fully understood you. Practice reflective listening to check your own understanding.
Avoid idioms and jargon
Language is often contextual, and therefore culture specific. For example, in the UK, military terms are often used: 'chain of command,' 'What is the Strategic game?As a good general rule, if the phrase requires knowledge of other information-be it a game or metaphor-recognize that this may make your communication more difficult to be understood
Invest in building a shared vocabulary.
In international business contexts terms such as: 'success', 'doneness', 'meetings', 'punctuality', etc. may mean different things to different people. Spend time early in your communication defining what these mean to you and others.
Be patient.
Cross-cultural communication takes more time. If not at all times, certainly initially you cannot expect your communication to occur with the same speed and ease as when you are communicating with someone from your own culture.
First impressions linger forever. A person whose first language is not the same as yours may have difficulty in understanding what you are saying, and that may make them seem slow. The way you handle that will colour your relationship for all time. Remember that everyone has something to offer, and those from a different culture can help you to refine your communication skills.
Respect individual.
If your objective is to connect with the other person and communicate well, acknowledge the person is an individual not just a representative of the company or the country. The key word is Respect. Build a relationship based on that.
Non-verbal cues.
Each nation has its own communication style. The British consider it impolite to interrupt, while the Latinos interrupt all the time. Notice how a person from India says 'Yes' - they find it hard to say 'No' and will often say 'Yes' even when it is hard for them to deliver. In some countries lack of eye contact is a mark of respect.
Listen
Hearing is not the same as listening. You need to listen, not only for what is being said, but also for what lies behind what is being said. Some cultures (e.g. northern European) communicate the salient facts. Others (e.g. Italian) value the process of communication more as a means of connecting the emotions, confirming status and reinforcing relationships. Others (e.g. Japanese) seek to promote harmony
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| Interesting Case Law - Discrimination on grounds of Race and Religion |
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A Sikh policeman ordered to remove his turban to do riot training was awarded £10,000 compensation by an employment tribunal.
Pc Gurmeal Singh claimed religious and racial discrimination after being told he must take off his turban to don a helmet to do the course.
The officer, who joined Greater Manchester Police in 2004, is a baptised and practising Sikh and it is against his religion to remove his turban in public or modify it.
Singh was awarded £3,500 for indirect discrimination and £6,500 for harassment after suffering psychological damage, injury to feelings and personal injury, the tribunal ruled.
In a meeting with one sergeant to discuss the riot training he was asked, "can you not take that thing off...this is what you signed up for".
The 31-year-old father-of-two was also asked about modifying his religious headwear and told the tribunal he feared he would be made to look like a comic character from the TV sit com Only Fools and Horses, where in one episode Del Boy Trotter tries to sell 200 "crash turbans" for fashion-conscious motorbike-riding Sikhs in Peckham - the motorcycle helmets had cloth wrapped around them.
Pc Singh said he suffered panic attacks, stress and palpitations and had to go off sick from work over the issue during a long-running dispute with his employers.
The tribunal rejected 13 of his 15 allegations. But the panel found he suffered a single case of indirect racial and religious discrimination, after he was included on a group email on February 8 2008, telling officers riot training was mandatory and he would therefore have to remove his turban.
Part of the successful claim was because Greater Manchester Police conceded there was a "lack of clarity" over what to do with Sikh officers wearing turbans.
Source: Independent |
| Diversity Dilemmas - What are the differences? |
I really enjoy your newsletter and have had many discussions in my staff team about some of the important issues highlighted in the newsletter. I am Senior Registrar (for births, deaths and marriages). We have had a request from a man who wishes to get married in women's clothes.His partner (female) will be dressed as a woman. The man in question, is he a transvestite, a cross dresser, drag queen, transsexual or a transgender? What is the correct terminology? What are the differences between the terms. Also do I refer to him as 'He or She'?
This is the first time we have had such a request and I am conscious of some of the staff giggling when we discuss this request. Do I reprimand the staff or do I keep quiet? I am conscious that this case is setting up precedence for other similar type of requests. I am keen to get this right.
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| About Blue Tulip Training |
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Blue Tulip Training was set up about 8 years ago, with Sneha Khilay the sole practitioner. The initial focus on Equality and Diversity has extended to include Bullying and Harassment issues. Work includes Training, Consultancy (including Diversity Audits), Conducting Investigations (and mediations) and Diversity Dialogue Coaching with statutory, public and private organisations. The focus of Blue Tulip's work is supporting organisations in dealing with the statutory requirements around Equality, Diversity and Dignity at work. The aim is to raise awareness of the importance of mainstreaming equality into every aspect of organisational responsibility so that staff members at all levels from Chief Executive, Board members to front line staff are conscientious of their responsibility in maintaining the equality stance.
Blue Tulip Training has incorporated the philosophy of 'respect and dignity' into all training and consultancy work. Its stance is to communicate effectively, with the calibre of flair, enthusiasm and good interpersonal skills. Blue Tulip Training has developed a high level of expertise to deliver appropriately in the occasional challenging situations that can arise.
01923 467885 |
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Our sponsors |
Blue Tulip Training is affiliated with Asian Women Enterprise - A networking solution, bringing Asian Women together to share, inspire and motivate
www.asianwomenenterprise.com
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Latest News from Blue Tulip Training |
Blue Tulip Training are proud to announce two new (in house and open) training programmes
1. Women of Worh - Personal Effectiveness Programme for Women
2. Accentuate - Personal Effectiveness Training Programme for Aspiring Black and Minority Ethnic Staff.
The two day programmes include:
a. Effective Communication skills (including being more assertive)
b. Goal Setting
c. Dealing with Limiting Beliefs
d. Defining personal effectiveness
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| Interesting Information |
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DVLA, after consultation with Stonewall have banned the following number plates |
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F4 GOT and D1 KES
The agency's list of so-called "suppressed combinations" or "potentially sensitive registration marks" includes 054MA, which could be seen to resemble Osama bin Laden's first name; H057 AGE (HOSTAGE), MA56 ACA (MASSACRE), HE58 0LA (HEZBOLLAH) and BU58 0MB (BUS BOMB).
The ban also extends to combinations including 666, commonly associated with satanism.
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| Saturday 3 October |
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Sukkot - Jewish
This day commemorates the time the Jews spent in the desert on their way to the Promised Land. Sukkot is also known as the Feast of Tabernacles. Sukkot means huts and some build huts and live in these during this time.
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| Sunday 4 October |
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Pavarana Day - Buddisht
This day marks the end of the Rains Retreat and each monk must come before the community of monks and atone for an offense he may have committed during this time. The Rains Retreat, also known as Vassa, is a traditional retreat for the monastic order during the rainy season. (Theravada tradition)
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| Saturday October 11 |
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Coming Out Day - Gay and Lesbian (USA)
The first National Coming Out Day was held on October 11 1988. An international event which gives gay lesbian and bisexual people the opportunity to 'come out' to others about their sexuality.
Simchat Torah - Rejoicing of the law (Jewish)
Sukkot is also known as the Feast of Tabernacles. Sukkot means huts. Some Jews build huts and live in these during this time.
A joyful harvest festival lasting 9 days. It commemorates the time the Jews spent in the desert on their way to the Promised Land.
It celebrates the ending and beginning of the torah, the law given by God to Moses at Mount Sinai on Shavuot.
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| Saturday 17 November |
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Divali / Diwali - Festival of light (Hindu/Jain/Sikh)This takes place over 5 days and celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness. During this time people spring clean homes, decorate buildings with candles, lights and oil lamps, and exchange gifts. Hindu's celebrate Lord Rama's victory over the demon, King Rava and they also Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Sikhs celebrate the sixth guru's, Guru Hargobind Singh, release from prison in 1619.
Mahavira Nirvana (Jain)
This day celebrates the attainment of Moksha by Lord Mahavira and is the Festival of Lamps |
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Tuesday October 20 |
Birthday of the Bab (Bahai)
Born Siyyid Ali Muhammad in Southerwestern Iran in 1819. His title in Arabic means 'The Gate'. Bahai come together for prayer and festivities. |
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Gurgadi (Inauguration) of Guru Granth Sahib - Sikh This day commemorates the eternal installation of the holy books, Granth Sahib.
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| Monday 26 October |
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Chung Yeung - Festival of ascending heights or Family Remembrance Day (Chinese)This occurs each year on the 9th month of the lunar calendar. This day pays tribute to ancestors. It is traditional to ascent a hill, getting closer to god to offer prayers for loved ones.
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| Saturday 31 October |
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| Halloween - Christian
This day marks the beginning in the church of a period known as Hallowtide 'All Saints tide' when Christian remember people who have died. All-Hallows Eve, or Halloween, has Celtic origins, originally known as the feast of Sanhain/Samhain or the last night of the Celtic year, when spirits were thought to be active. Fires were lit in the belief that light had power over darkness, hence pumpkin lanterns to frighten away witches and ghosts. When the Romans invaded Britain they included elements of their harvest celebrations in which they honoured the goddess of the fruits of trees, Pomona, which is why apples are also used.
Samhain (Pagan)This is the most important date in the calendar, as it is the beginning of the year (although some Pagans use Imbolc). During this day loved ones are remembered and spirits are invited to join the living for feasts. It is also celebrated by non pagan who call this Halloween.
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