Cultural Consideration

–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 kiss 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 home care worker 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 working with people from different cultural backgrounds, there are several things to consider:

  • Non-verbal communication: It is important to be aware of how close you stand or sit with another person. Personal space requirements can vary within a single culture, depending on the context of the interaction.
  • Tactile communication: Understanding how much touching is appropriate is vital. Some cultures are very comfortable with hugs and kisses on the cheek when greeting or departing, while others prefer little or no touching.
  • Eye contact: Eye contact can have different meanings in different cultures. In some cultures, direct eye contact is seen as a sign of confidence, respect, and interest. In other cultures, indirect eye contact is considered respectful and polite.
  • Gestures: Each culture has its own set of gestures, including hand movements, head nods, and facial expressions. It is important to be aware that gestures can have different meanings in different cultures, even if they look similar.

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