Cultural considerations


It may be difficult to say when you feel culturally obligated, that you must help, as it is seen as the 'right' thing to do, and in your community you may be expected to do more.

In this situation, you are still working or volunteering under clear guidelines for MCCGC and can defer any complaints about this to your line manager. If you can't say no, let the team explain to the customer why we are limited or unable to meet their expectations.

Things to consider when working with people from different cultural backgrounds:
Non-verbal communication: How close you stand or sit with another person. Personal space requirements can vary within a single culture, depending on whether you are interacting with the customer, family, members of the opposite sex, or business colleagues.
Tactile communication: How much touching is appropriate? People from some cultures are very comfortable with hugs and kisses on the cheek when greeting and departing. This can be an issue if you are from a culture where little or no touching is the norm. As a staff member, you may find yourself in a position where touch can be an issue.
Eye contact: In some cultures, direct eye contact suggests confidence, respect, and interest in what the other person is saying. In other cultures, people expect and appreciate indirect eye contact, and this approach is seen as a show of respect, politeness, and reverence.
Gestures: Each culture has its own set of gestures including hand movements, head nods, facial expressions, etc. Some cultures have gestures that look similar but mean very different things.

Lesson Summary

When feeling culturally obligated to help, it can be difficult to say no, especially when it is seen as the 'right' thing to do in your community. However, when working or volunteering under guidelines for MCCGC, any complaints can be deferred to your line manager.

If you find it difficult to say no, let the team explain to the customer why their expectations cannot be met.

When working with people from different cultural backgrounds, there are several things to consider:

  • Non-verbal communication: Be aware of personal space requirements, as they can vary within a single culture depending on the situation and the people involved.
  • Tactile communication: Some cultures may be comfortable with touching, such as hugs or kisses on the cheek, while others may prefer little to no touching.
  • Eye contact: Direct eye contact may be seen as confident and respectful in some cultures, while in others, indirect eye contact is appreciated as a sign of respect and politeness.
  • Gestures: Each culture has its own set of gestures, and some may look similar but have different meanings. It is important to be aware of these differences.

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