Dos and don'ts of multicultural communication

Tyrone A. Holmes, performance consultant

from the 12/04 paper Ibaraki Report

One of the most frequently asked questions during diversity training programs is: "Whenever I interact with a person from a different culture, I'm afraid I'll say something offensive. How can I keep this from happening?" Here are seven dos and don'ts to greatly minimize the possibility of offending:

The don'ts

  1. Don't talk to people in a patronizing fashion
    Example: Don't "talk down" to people.
  2. Don't make assumptions about people, particularly those who are culturally different from you.
    Example: Don't assume certain people have certain values or like to do certain things.
  3. Don't assume a culturally different person is an "expert" about his or her cultural group.
    Example: Don't ask someone, "What do your people think about this?"
  4. Don't assume a culturally different person is representative of all the members of his or her cultural group.
    Example: Because one member does something does not mean all members think or act like that.
  5. Don't engage in behaviors that single out a culturally different person especially if that person is in the minority at your workplace.
    Example: Asking a person to serve on a committee primarily because of his or her race or gender.
  6. Don't ask inappropriate questions or engage in inappropriate behaviors, especially of a personal nature.
    Example: Don't ask if you can touch someone's hair; don't ask about a person's grooming habits.
  7. Don't try to speak or act like a culturally different person if it is not YOU.
    Example: Don't pretend you like certain foods or music if you really do not, just to build a relationship.

The dos

  1. Do talk to others as equals.
    Example: Treat people respectfully, even if they are lower on the organizational chart.
  2. Do recognize that cultural differences exist but confirm these differences before you act on them.
    Example: Get to know a person rather than act on your own assumptions.
  3. Do stick to the business at hand until you have established an effective relationship.
    Example: Avoid a great deal of personal conversation until you get to know someone.
  4. Do you treat every person you come into contact with as an individual.
    Example: Avoid stereotyping based on group membership.
  5. Do seek to find common ground between yourself and others, particularly those who are culturally different.
    Example: Keep in mind that you will often have much in common with a culturally different person.
  6. Do consider the feelings, thoughts and experiences of others, particularly those who are culturally different.
    Example: Listen and care about what others are saying; avoid using demeaning words.
  7. Do be YOURSELF at all times.
    Example: Just relax and be yourself, don't try to be what you think others want you to be.

Thanks to T.A.H. Performance Consultants Inc.