Guidelines that help those in the service industry develop a multi- cultural perspective:
1. Learn about the people and culture of the world – through the media, literature , school, and meeting neighbors and visitors from other countries, one learn much about values, habits and preferences of others.
2. Travel –nothing offers a better way for truly understanding other culture than travel. By eating the food of other countries, walking the streets, listening their music and experience their daily activities, travelers learn to understand people on a level w/c is not possible through reading
3. Learn a Language – is one of the most basic and effective gestures in attaining positive cross. Learning basic expression such as “welcome” please” thank you” or may I help you” is the language of guests that makes a big difference.Participate in specialized cross- cultural training – cross cultural training literature, courses, and seminars are now available to help those who live at work in multi-cultural environments. Training is necessary to guide since it intensifies travel experience and generates good will
Following are basic guidelines in cross cultural counselors for those who work w/ diff. cultures and language
- Speak slowly and distinctly
- Pay attention to the voice volume
- Encourage listeners to question what they don’t understand/ interrupt if they need to have something repeated
- Encourage and reassure visitors in their use of the language
- Be patient
- Speak in terms of positive rather than negative
- In case of interpreter is present, talk to the listeners and not to the interpreter.