Parisians greet each other with a double kiss. In London and New York, a firm handshake might do the trick. But what about in Dubai, Japan, or Nigeria?
Like many other companies in today’s increasingly global world, at Ortho we have colleagues, clients, and partners from many different countries and cultures. And with so many languages, styles of communication and cultural norms, it can be a minefield knowing what to do or say.
Overcoming barriers
We use English as a common language at Ortho, but it’s not just about language. There are different greetings, cultural norms, rituals, morals, and taboos all at play when spending time with people from other cultures to our own.
If you too work in a multicultural company, or even when you’re on vacation, here are a few ways to break down cross-cultural barriers and be more inclusive:
- Speak clearly
- Keep things simple and avoid slang when writing
- Watch and learn from others to see what’s appropriate
- Have open conversations and be open-minded and genuinely interested in learning about others
- Be respectful of cultural requirements, like prayer times or religious events
- Recognize that you might have unconscious bias and prejudices, and try to overcome these
And above all, be kind and patient. If someone needs a bit of extra help to understand something, give it freely. And try not to be quick to take offense if someone inadvertently missteps – most people mean no harm.
Let’s embrace our differences and diversity – life would be pretty boring if we were all the same!