Andrea Farmer, account manager
A smile is universal, but be careful when using humor. In a training presentation yesterday at Borshoff’s offices, titled “Working Across Cultures,” we were treated to a host of cultural learnings by presenters from the International Center of Indianapolis. Among the most interesting:
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Keep your feet on the ground. In some cultures, it is offensive to see the sole of someone’s shoe. - Gesture with your full hand, not your fingers. Pointing can be considered rude.
- Err on the side of formality, especially with attire.
- Avoid questions that can be answered “yes” or “no.”
- Watch the cadence of your speech – speaking too quickly is more difficult to understand.
- Pay attention to non-verbal cues, and mirror the actions of others.
In addition to business etiquette, we discussed differences in cultural values between the United States and most European countries versus those of Asian cultures through an interactive exercise. Borshoff staffers were tasked with deciding whether certain values either matched or contrasted with those of Americans. Through the activity, we learned that while western countries tend to think in a linear pattern, communicate directly and place emphasis on individualism; those in eastern countries tend to think in a more holistic way, do not answer directly, and place emphasis on cooperation and harmony.
As our work continues to take us outside the borders of the United States, we can use this knowledge to communicate more effectively with clients and others we meet.
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