I was to hear this announcement countless times in other workshops. “Dear facilitator I would just like to say that please no knocking on people’s doors in the dead of the night.”Īpparently the culprits were well known. In another youth workshop, in Malawi, one brave South African young lady, made this jaw dropping peculiar announcement. While looking at me he declared that his main goal in life was to marry a Zimbabwean woman (He was about 70). On a workshop visit to Lesotho, I found myself at a workshop after drinks party, gaping in disbelief at a respected professor who had had one too many. For example, decorum is also of utmost importance when visiting foreign lands. To this end it is quite important to understand oneself and what your triggers are. So how can we navigate around the cultural conundrum and avoid some of the faux pax that my Spar friend unfortunately fell into?Īccording to the “Diversity Dashboard”, it is important for people to imagine themselves in a plane navigating a different cultural divide. The biggest cultural business faux pax were: being on a mobile phone, not greeting people appropriately, inappropriate attire, speaking too loudly and not responding to emails within 24 hours.įor example, other research that was conducted, revealed that, 97 percent of British bosses think they should make a greater effort to learn about the business etiquette of other cultures. The report also revealed that, some of the top countries who offend the most were Italy, United States of America, South Africa, Germany and Spain. In addition, the website revealed that, 45 percent, of business travellers had witnessed a colleague or business associates from other countries make a cultural slip-up. The research found that 32 percent, of global business travellers admit to having committed a cultural faux pas when travelling internationally on business, and 49 percent, are worried they will unknowingly offend a client or business associate. They note that in any setting and culture, it is important to treat others with respect.Īccording to, a website which specialises in reservations for business executives, a lack of cultural business etiquette is impacting companies worldwide. (A bad joke is not found funny by intended audience) We thank God for masks, any expression that everyone showed was securely covered in their masks. In his own words and I quote, “Covid-19 will never catch you with that one.” I quickly looked up the meaning of bad joke in my dictionary and categorised this one as one. The wife was wearing a burka (a long, loose garment covering the whole body from head to feet, worn in public by women in many Muslim countries).īut this man who was also pushing his trolley towards the car park thought he could pull a “fast one”. It was while I was standing outside the shop, waiting for my friends to come and pick me up when the “drama” unfolded.Ī husband and wife of Muslim origin had just completed shopping and were pushing their trolley towards the car park. Off I went to Spar Groombridge, where I treated myself to that long forgotten, now very expensive chocolate cake. I decided to “deisolate” and venture out a little and restock groceries. Sunday the second of August 2020, was a very special day.
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