tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1513616792028141844.post2274632415844122641..comments2023-04-14T06:11:34.177-04:00Comments on Connecting 2 the World: The Importance of CultureV Yonkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11910904367068063554noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1513616792028141844.post-64380293136187948962008-07-29T11:22:00.000-04:002008-07-29T11:22:00.000-04:00Perhaps it would be better to say that I am able t...Perhaps it would be better to say that I am able to understand the basis on which people do things and I am able to pick and choose those "values" I am willing to compromise on (perhaps testing them out, etc...) and those I can't compromise on. <BR/><BR/>For example, in the US I would be uncomfortable hiring someone as a "servant". More likely, I would perceive them as being someone that is doing work for me (an employee) that has equal status as myself. This is definitely an American value. Because of this, it was difficult for me to have a "servant" when I lived in Costa Rica. In fact, this was true with many of our staff that worked on projects in third world countries.<BR/><BR/>However, "servants" have a different standing than our impression in the US. As an employer, I had a lot more of a responsibility towards those people that cleaned house, or in the case of some of our employees, that were caretakers of the house, gardeners, and cooks. In fact, these professions had much greater status in terms of work and there was more of a "familiar" relationship with these workers than just "employees". We had people tell us on our projects that our staff was expected to have servants or there would be resentment from the locals (as this was one way to spread the wealth). This requires a change in values especially for the context. This does not mean I have the same values in the US, but rather, given the circumstances, I can accept and understand the role of servants within another culture. This goes beyond "communication style".V Yonkershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11910904367068063554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1513616792028141844.post-74233089418855940822008-07-28T22:24:00.000-04:002008-07-28T22:24:00.000-04:00Virginia, I do believe many discussions of work li...Virginia, <BR/>I do believe many discussions of work literacy omit aspects of culture that are just going to become more and more important. <BR/><BR/>I am curious about "I then need to know how to adopt my own values and preferences to the new culture."<BR/><BR/>Are you adapting your values? Or your communication style?Christine Martellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17475948139385466432noreply@blogger.com