Question Detail

Cultural Differences

The question was posted by Ruth on 02/12/2018 19:27:34

I wonder if anyone can assist - we have been asked to do some training for the hospitality industry to support service staff understand the nuances such as humour between different cultures that they are servicing e.g. British / American / Italian / Chinese etc etc - can anyone point us to some resources that we can draw on to assist in this - thanks in advance, Ruth

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Try the book "mind your manner's" by John Mole, it covers the cultural differences in business within Europe. Another area to look is on the Geert Hofstede website on cultural dimensions.

04/12/2018

Kate

Hi Ruth

That is indeed an interesting topic. One module that comes to mind is Leap of Faith (https://www.trainerslibrary.com/user_area/materials/training_doc_details.aspx?doc=445&area=2) as it explores different beliefs and behaviours and how they don't always make sense to someone from a different culture.

Another idea is taking the idea behind the exercise Are You OK With This? (https://www.trainerslibrary.com/user_area/materials/training_doc_details.aspx?doc=199&area=2) and adapting it to meet your needs. The great resources that Margaret and Eleanor mention could really help you with this.

Finally, another exercise that might help to inspire you is The Shopping List (https://www.trainerslibrary.com/user_area/materials/training_doc_details.aspx?doc=1764&area=2). It looks at the impact of unconscious bias, but could easily be adapted to explore how our own preferences impact what we believe other people like and value.

I hope that these ideas help you, Ruth.

All the best

Frances

03/12/2018

Frances

Ruth hello We did some work last year on this and found useful resources quite hard to locate. Much of the material was theory based. I found a number of useful tips on the BBC website actually. All the best with your piece of work.

03/12/2018

Margaret

Hi Ruth, When running a similar session I found the HSBC culture adverts a really great resource - especially the German V French parking, Japanese eels, Sleeping on the Subway and the Golf one (they're all on YouTube).

03/12/2018

Eleanor

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