Comments on: Expressions of good will http://balancedmeltingpot.com/2009/04/20/263/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:20:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Susan http://balancedmeltingpot.com/2009/04/20/263/comment-page-1/#comment-362 Susan Fri, 18 Jun 2010 13:50:51 +0000 http://balancedmeltingpot.com/?p=263#comment-362 As always, your comments are interesting and thought-provoking. Let's not forget, though, that even within EVERY culture there's a HUGE amount of variation. I know people (Americans) who back up with every step I take towards them, even when having a one-on-one conversation. And then there are those who greet with a hug in ALL situations, whether personal or professional. We are all individuals, and only part of how we behave is culturally determined. As always, your comments are interesting and thought-provoking. Let’s not forget, though, that even within EVERY culture there’s a HUGE amount of variation. I know people (Americans) who back up with every step I take towards them, even when having a one-on-one conversation. And then there are those who greet with a hug in ALL situations, whether personal or professional.

We are all individuals, and only part of how we behave is culturally determined.

]]> By: deborah822 http://balancedmeltingpot.com/2009/04/20/263/comment-page-1/#comment-363 deborah822 Fri, 18 Jun 2010 13:26:42 +0000 http://balancedmeltingpot.com/?p=263#comment-363 You're so right, Susan. I have a friend is hispanic and she complains about how other hispanics assume that she is very informal in professional settings. She's had to correct/offend a few so that they respected her boundaries. I do think the majority of Americans have the space issue, though. I'm always conscience of giving them space; however, sometimes you get a lone wolf - like my old co-worker. It's good to go into situations with some knowledge of cultural preferences, just in case. You're so right, Susan. I have a friend is hispanic and she complains about how other hispanics assume that she is very informal in professional settings. She's had to correct/offend a few so that they respected her boundaries. I do think the majority of Americans have the space issue, though. I'm always conscience of giving them space; however, sometimes you get a lone wolf – like my old co-worker. It's good to go into situations with some knowledge of cultural preferences, just in case.

]]> By: Martini http://balancedmeltingpot.com/2009/04/20/263/comment-page-1/#comment-62 Martini Tue, 05 May 2009 02:32:24 +0000 http://balancedmeltingpot.com/?p=263#comment-62 I made the same mistake a week ago. I had been hanging out with an American colleague, as we parted, I was on the phone and distracted, and kissed his cheek good-bye. He was taken aback! I only kiss my Haitian and European friends goodbye and have been thinking quite a bit about how I have to wait to see what customs certain people are used to. I made the same mistake a week ago. I had been hanging out with an American colleague, as we parted, I was on the phone and distracted, and kissed his cheek good-bye. He was taken aback! I only kiss my Haitian and European friends goodbye and have been thinking quite a bit about how I have to wait to see what customs certain people are used to.

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