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Simple…. what does this mean to you ? C’est simple! Qu’est ce que ceci veut dire pour vous? 
Could it be: A: ” Hello Mademoiselle” B: ” That was really spicy food” C: ” I’ll call you” D: ” Stop!” Share what do you read in the body language in this cartoon? If you are in KS or would like to travel to it for French classes you will get 10% discount on your next enrollment! Qu’est-ce que ces dessins veulent dire? Si vous êtes dans le KS ou désirez y voyager pour des classes d’anglais… vous recevrez une réduction de 10% sur votre prochaine inscription! http://crosscultural-a-i.com/learnfrenchinwichitakskidsadults.aspx
| | Never before in our history has the world been so interconnected. It is crucial for companies to understand intercultural differences to become more successful. | Make the World a Smaller Place By being prepared... |
| A bit of Cultural Magic for the Season!  Health & Medicine Across Cultures – how one reacts to sickness, death, and use of medicine – is one of the topics I cover in Cultural Competency Training. Recently I had the chance to experience in Wichita the very different healing powers of another culture. My dear friend, Susan Leiker (City of Wichita Senior HR Specialist - Diversity Management) talks often about the Chief. He’s a treasure himself with extraordinary gifts. She showed me one of his works at CityArts and described his personality. “The Chief is an artist, a healer and an herbalist.” I finally had an opportunity to meet him at the Maya Angelou Library this December. Together, we were Susan, Prisca (Kansas African American Museum Executive Director) with myself and a man dressed in a long blue and white tunic together in a room where his art was displayed. As I looked around the room, there were four tapestries on the wall and two on the table. I figured the man in the tunic was the Chief. I felt a presence fill the room when we entered. There was more than the just the four of us surrounded by walls; it was a room crowded with lions, giraffes, elephants, women and children, and they were looking all at us. There were movements and colors; and the gray room I entered was buzzing with magic. I walked up to the Chief. I knew that in Nigeria, you would greet with a small bow, and he extended his hand. His was a happy voice, is soft spoken and magical. His name is Chief (Dr.) Otunba Zacheus Olowonubi Oloruntoba JP ("O-Láuren-tóba"); he was born October 1, 1919, heir to the throne of Abuja Nigeria, future king of his tribe in the small village of Abuja, Nigeria. As a young boy Oloruntoba had intensely vivid dreams of elephants, lions, great birds, giraffes, villagers and dancers. He drew them on the walls and floors of his home. His mother was not very happy about it, as he says respectfully, “she beat me”. But at the age of 12, his family and the village elders realized his passion was a talent, and it became recognized and valued throughout the African continent. A priest visiting his village told him his art would bring good into his life. At that time Chief Zacheus O. Oloruntoba used wood for his pieces, and the priest advised him to start using colors. He tried cloth and then rice paper before turning to a method he uses today. Around the age of 15, he realized the power of his gift: he could heal people with his art. In Yoruba tradition, the dead communicate with the living through dreams, in which they offer guidance and advice. The Chief says the Spirits tell him what to do and he communicates with them all the time. This process has three steps: First to do the drawing. Second, to do the design. And then to start using the needle to tighten all the strings down. He asked me if I had a God. He said I should have a God, as Gods make people happy, protect them and heal them. The Gods, he says, gave him his powers. They talked to him in his dreams. Without Gods he would not be talking to me today. He was Chosen and he is a Messenger. I made the connection to the French artist Séraphine de Senlis who was also inspired by her faith and used nature to create the unique colors in her paintings. There were six tapestries – two of parrots, a herd of elephants, a pride of lions, a herd of giraffes, and women and their children. I was drawn to the one with the women and children. The Chief said they were mothers with their children going to the temple. He explained how much women are important, and the Chief has over 100 children. He also pointed out the houses and the village. There were no windows – just doors – and the good spirit stayed inside with the goodness showing through the bright colors. He asked me a very open-ended question, “What do you want?” We are all connected to each other and I thought happiness is what I wanted. The next question was about my dreams and I had to say “I don’t dream.” “Now,” he said, “you will dream”. We talked about the women on the wall and the designs in their dresses, with each animal symbolizing something different and having a variety of healing powers. The Chief said, “You see in a lot of my work they have butterflies, they have fish, and they have the flower. The butterfly is harmony. The spirit of the fish is for the happiness. The flower is to solve the problems. “ The Women I loved so much! But soon we were heading with Prisca to the Kansas African American museum. She was talking to the Chief about about the projects to move and expand the museum and the Chief told her that the painting would bring her good fortune, “You will get the money; it will come to you.” As I was listening to him talk to her, the art now had a completely different meaning and was bringing to her other things, related to her own dreams. The Chief explained what to do and how to use the painting, and how to make the magic work. “You have to clean your body. You light a candle in front of the painting. You look at it and you are naked. You look at their eyes and their eyes will talk to you. You don’t touch the candle as it will burn you. You look at it. You do that”. Time went by quickly, we had to go. It was a fascinating moment. The Chief asked if we would see each other again. That night I dreamed. I met the Chief again on Sunday. There was another set of Women going to the temple. This time within the tapestry it was the Chief’s mother, his twin brother, other women and himself as a child going to the temple. The Chief says the painting chooses you, you don’t choose the painting. I am under the spell. I will have what Chief Oloruntoba translates into "paintings for power and life and for the protection from sickness and jealousy” in my home. Often during cultural training we talk about use of medicine across cultures. Chief Zacheus O. Oloruntoba uses paintings to heal people. He uses herbs to create the colors, therefore the colors are medicines. "The dyes are not simply colors; they are medicines that endow the paintings with different therapeutic powers, depending on the figures involved and the colors used.” What a contrast from what we know as medicine in the USA! The Chief should be back in Wichita in February. Take a moment to meet him. Experience his art and help him support his country through projects he sponsors such as building schools. Mostly, come to share the healing power and the magic. 
Wichita Multi-culture! December blog Over the course of the day I communicate with someone who studied and lived in 5 different continents and a gentleman from India. I had a meeting with Andre who was born in France and lived in several African countries, he is African. I went to the post office, the gentleman in line behind me told me he was from East Africa. Early evening the Wichita Chamber of Commerce organized the “Jingle Mingle” ! Fun conversations, jokes and a glass of wine were shared with John the Irish man and Freddie from Belgium. I also caught up with Adrienn from Poland. We all live in Wichita KS!!!!
This is why Cross Cultural Assimilation Institute focuses on cross- cultural training, relocation, and assimilation, CCAI Wichita, Cross Cultural Assimilation Institute is the area cross-cultural training specialist. 
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Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année 2012! 
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December 19, 2011
Sharing traditionsFan us on Facebook 
Last Thursday ( jeudi dernier) friends, colleagues and students came to my home to learn and share the french tradition of the 13 desserts. It is a southern french tradition from the Provence region. December 24th before going the Midnight mess and after the big Christmas supper, we have the ” 13 desserts”. 13 desserts represent the last supper of Jesus and his 12 apostles. Each dessert represent something different: Dried fruit and nuts The first four of these are known as the “four beggars” (les quatre mendiants), representing the four mendicant monastic orders: Dominicans, Franciscans, Augustinian and Carmelites. Raisins (Dominicans) Walnuts or hazelnuts (Augustines) Dried figs (Franciscans) Almonds (Carmelites) Pompes à l’huiles Flat yeast bread made with olive oil such as a Gibassié, or fougasse. (This bread should be broken like Jesus did, at the last supper, and not cut, to prevent bankruptcy in the new year) Fresh fruit Apples Pears Oranges Winter melon Grapes Tangerines Sweets. This is a lists of desserts that would be commonly used locally : Biscotins (biscuits) from Aix; Calissons d’Aix, almond-paste pastry with sugar icing (marzipan) Candied citron Casse-dents of Allauch (biscuit) Cumin and fennel seed biscuits Fried bugnes Fruit tourtes Oreillettes, light thin waffles Pain d’epice Quince cheese/quince paste (Pâte de coing) Dates (that could be stuffed with marzipan) Calisson d’aix en Provence Quince fruit paste (or jam) Fresh white grapes Christmas melon (called verdau), called green espiran in English due to its colour. Fresh oranges (sign of wealth) Candied melons Winter pear and apples Plums Yule log Two kinds of nougat, symbolizing good and evil Merci beaucoup et bonnes fêtes! Write a comment
12/08/2011 The Wichita Multi-culture!Over the course of the day I communicate with someone who studied and lived in 5 different continents and a gentleman from India. I had a meeting with Andre who was born in France and lived in several African countries, he is African. I went to the post office, the gentleman in line behind me told me he was from East Africa. Early evening the Wichita Chamber of Commerce organized the "Jingle Mingle" ! Fun conversations, jokes and a glass of wine were shared with John the Irish man and Freddie from Belgium. I also caught up with Adrienn from Poland. We all live in Wichita KS!!!!
12/07/2011Greetings…. This morning Kalhid sent me greetings from many parts of the World. Greetings are more than just words. They are the first contact we make with people. The words themself are really important but what else should you do? Shake hands? Smile? Look down? Some say: Bonjour ( French) Kamusta (tagalong / filapino) Salam (Arabic) Gunaydin / Nasel Sen (Turkish) Namaste (Hindi) Adaab (Urdu) Goeie More (Afrikaans) Or simply put Good Morning to you! What else can we say? www.crosscultural-a-i.com 
12/05/2011 In Japan Tanabata meaning "Evening of the seventh" Tanabata, the "star festival", takes place on the 7th day of the 7th month of the year, when, according to a Chinese legend, the two stars Altair and Vega, which are usually separated from each other by the milky way, are able to meet. one tradition on Tanabata is to write wishes on a piece of paper, and hang it of paper on a specially erected bamboo tree, in the hope that the wishes become true. 
Tanabata tree 12/02/2011
In England the “Speed of light” traditionThe interior of Salisbury Cathedral is illuminated by trails of candles carried by choristers during the annual “darkness to light” advent procession on Nov. 25, in Salisbury, England. The annual service begins with the medieval cathedral in total darkness and silence before the Advent Candle is lit at the West End. The service, which takes place over three nights, is a mix of music and readings during which two great candlelit processions move around the different spaces in the 750-year-old building. By the end, the cathedral is illuminated by almost 1,300 candles and is a spectacular start to the Christmas season. (msnbc)
Write a comment 11/30/2011 In FranceNovember 30, 2011 In Provence, South of France, Noël starts December 4th with the day of ” La Sainte Barbe”. It is a fertility tradition that dates back to Greek and Roman antiquity. It starts by choosing 3 of the pretiest saucers or small plates. After covering the bottom of each one with damp cotton, you have to scatter wheat, or else some lentils. With daily waterings, they should germinate before Christmas Eve; a good germination indicates a good harvest the following year. If you over water them, they will rot, which symbolizes a poor harvest. This sprouted wheat is decorated with ribbons tied around the shoots, and the saucers are put on the table during the Great Supper on December 24th. You can lean French and the French Culture starting this January! 
11/27/2011 Holidays Season around the World.. When? Whom? What?Thanksgiving has come and gone and many are getting ready for the holiday season. What are the traditions and magics around the World? Who will come to the house of the behaved and…. missbehaved children? Will it be: Le père fouétard? Krampus? Saint Nicholas? La Befana? In Poland, the Christmas season begins with the first Sunday of Advent. The period from St. Catherine’s day (Nov. 25) and St. Andrew’s Day (Nov. 30) has become a time of festivity for children. Girls engage in games on St. Catherine’s Day and the boys play on St. Andrew’s day. Advent is the religious preparation of Christmas. The faithful fast from the first Sunday of Advent till Christmas day. St. Nicholas visits the children on December 6th leaving small gifts for the good children. www.crosscultural-a-i.com 
Write a comment 11/21/2011 "Meet your new culture” Claude Puntel Cross Cultural Assimilation Institute LLC claudepuntel@crosscultural-a-i.com Fifteen years ago, I crossed the ocean to the place I now call “my other home”. It was so far, and so different…the anticipation was overwhelming! I was on my way to the country where everything is NEW, where everything is big, fast, loud…where life never stops… I knew it was in contrast with what I was used to… … but I was ready! Oh…. L’Amérique!! The words resonated… the land of the free… the country of opportunity… the Big Apple, Hollywood, the Melting Pot…. In a sense, I had already traveled there many times…. for example with my history teacher when we learned about the Revolutionary War. I had already been to Hollywood with my favorite movie star when she walked the red carpet… and I had already tasted the juicy American hamburger in my hometown McDonald’s. I loved all my English classes. I was always eager to learn the language and considered it to be a magic key to a new world of opportunities…. I knew everything I needed to know – or so I thought. Sure, I had an accent, but I knew the important phrases such as, ”Where is the train station”; “ What time is it”; “ Hello my name is…” and so many more. I knew how to be polite. All the images I grew up with, and all the information I gathered growing up created my expectations, and I felt prepared… …but as you can imagine, no matter how much you educate yourself, many things are so different than you would ever expect. The vision I had of the USA was based on what I was taught in school: the geography, the economy, the history, the language. We learn only the obvious, however: the 10% of the iceberg that shows above water. It is such a surprise discovering the other 90%! 
Let’s see some examples of the culture we may discover below the surface. Social interactions. In my country we often greet each other with a kiss on each cheek: woman to woman, woman to man, man to man. I was recently with my sister in a local restaurant. Some French acquaintances walked in, each a short time apart. I knew all of them, I kissed all of them, both men and women. What was the perception of me kissing all those people in a culture where people do not kiss to greet? Courtship. A gentleman from France (a non-smiling culture) goes to the mall and notices all the women smiling at him. When I see him later, he is so excited and pleased to share with me how much the women showed interest in him. Alas, I told him not to be disappointed but the US culture is a very friendly one especially in Kansas and a smile is not normally a sign of romantic interest. Decision-making pattern. In Mexico, Mexicans emphasize hierarchical relationships.
People respect authority and look to those above them for guidance and decision-making.
Rank is important, and those above you in rank must always be treated with respect.
This makes it important to know which person is in charge, and leads to an authoritarian approach to decision-making and problem-solving. It requires a lot of adjustment for somebody from the USA to work in Mexico.
Wichita is surprisingly diverse and counts over 27,000 foreign nationals. Every day someone with a different accent, holiday, custom, and way to show respect crosses our path. Many come for work and leave family, friends and country behind for what they hope is a better opportunity. Remember that many aspects of your culture – if you are from here or elsewhere – are not universally shared values and behaviors. Thankfully most people are eager to learn and grow from our differences. Have you reached out to anyone new lately, to share understanding of your culture and to learn about theirs? In business and in personal life, discovering the 90% below the surface can be key to inter-cultural success and happiness.
Claude Puntel Cross Cultural Assimilation Institute founder, claudepuntel@crosscultural-a-i.com Global Cultural Trainer,International Destination Service Interpretation, Translation, French Instruction 316.737.3178
When are you late to a 9 o’clock
meeting? Do you arrive at nine or is it the time you start? The concept of time varies across cultures. The terms polychronic and monochronic are used to describe the different attitudes about time and how it affect us. On one hand there is the Monochronic culture, such as the USA, Germany. Rigid schedules, planned events are are prefered. Time is associated to “being wasted’ ” lost” ‘spent” people feel frustrated when the plan is not followed; being late is unprofessional disrespectful… the monochronic culture is time oriented. On the other hand we have the polychronic culture where time is more flexible, fluid, unlimited… plans can change, multiple projects can be going on at once… it seems deadlines are always changing… and relationship are often prioritized over tasks. Do you feel frustrated with some of your international counterparts because they never follow the plan. The deadlines are missed and it never seems to be a problem… They are always late to the 9 o’clock meeting and never seem to be sorry about it… you could possibly be working with a culture that has a different concept of time. | Monochronic | Polychronic | | One thing at a time | Multiple activities at once | | Rigid approach to time | Flexible approach to time | | Strict agenda | No strict agenda | | Focus on task | Focus on relationship | | Completion of job most important | Relationships more important than the job | | Emphasise promptness | Promptness based on relationships |
CCAI cross-cultural training will provide you with a more comprehensive understanding of different approaches to time, including your own, and the impact this can have on doing business internationally. 
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"But… French hate Americans!" For the past year CCAI ( Cross Cultutural Assimilation Institute) has the pleasure to be part of the Cross- cultural education programs offered at the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County. Each time I meet a new crowd, new
questions, new sets of experiences, cultures. As part of the training, we share information in regard to stereotypes. Being a French-born, I ask the following question: “When you think about “French” what comes to mind?
“… multiple answers: fashion, good food, perfume, Paris, the Eiffel Tower, escargots, wine, skinny, romantic, language, soccer and of course “THE FRENCH HATE AMERICANS”… A friend of mine recently returned from a trip to Europe, she was terrified of France before she left. Of course WE DON’T HATE AMERICANS… we thinks US Americans are loud, eat hamburgers, wear white socks and sandals,
drink Bud, don’t speak foreign languages, think they are the best… BUT we don’t hate you! The problem is the perception and what we think we know before we arrive. We have the tendency to apply our own culture on others and judge from our cultural perspective… Upon arrival in Paris… let’s go eat something! Let’s take a look at both perspectives  . Let’s role-play…. Paula or Bob…US Americans, first day in Paris… it is lunch time and they would like to experience a little ” Café bien Français”. They sit down…and after a while…start loosing patience…what is taking so long? Where is the waiter… After trying to get the attention of the waiter with the shy quiet French “Excusez-moi” ( it is scary to use a foreign language for the fist time) …Paula switches back to English and says “Excuse me…” The waiter thinks… ” Olalalala”….I am on my way Madame…. ( in French of course) and he says
” “Oui madame” … with a maybe smileless face ( France is a non-smiling culture) and probably thinking that Paula should at least have learned how to say excuse me in French before she traveled to Beautiful France…. The tendency is to speak LOUD when speaking to people of other languages… so Paula orders in English ( because she is intimidated) and she is probably louder than usual. This is even before the food is ordered… and we already can see the loud Americans and rude French people….emerging…. And the meal goes on…the glass is empty I needs a refill…where is my food, it is taking hours…… my plate is half empty… ice would be nice….where is the waitress… no one has come and checked on us yet…. what is taking so long…. do we need to ask for the check….and eventually “they just hate Americans”…. Now…A French in an USA restaurant….will feel interrupted all the time and pressured to get out and finish their
plate as fast as possible…. “why are they asking me how I am doing” ” give me a minute, of course I am not ready to order I just sat down” ” no I don’t need anything else right now… I will signal you when I do…. stop interrupting my conversation” ” I am not done with my salad… why are you bringing me the first course” ” I am not done
eating why do you keep on asking me if it is ok to take my plate away”…. Of course it does not help to have such short vacations in the USA, it does not allow travelers to realize that it is not just with them but everyone. When we travel the first think that comes to mind is the language, but cultural barrier often create the most confusion and miss understanding. Start a journey with an open mind, make your own opinion. Also, learning a foreign language takes time. Don’t be shy to use the little you know. French people will be excited to help you correct your
French and maybe use some of their English to assist you. Make and read comments 
Paula Adams on August 13, 2011 at 15:18 said:
Learn the social signals that can make or break the deal especially when you first meet… The best technical and professional knowledge and skills may not be able to deal with the impact of the hidden cultural challenges on international assignments. To do business successfully, international assignees must be able to understand the host-country way of doing things such as different ways of interacting and communicating, different approaches to managing, authority and teamwork—to name but a few! A lack of cultural awareness, at professional and social levels, can lead to major miss-communication, misunderstanding and, ultimately, rejection by host-culture
colleagues, clients, acquaintances and neighbors, not only for the employee but for their family as well. In a recent The Wichita Eagle article from BY MOLLY McMILLIN where she writes about some of the cultural differences that are experienced by Spirit when opening their location in St Nazaire. “A mix of cultures Language is just one difference to overcome in operating a plant in France. French workers are off for many religious holidays, including four in May alone. In addition, the industry standard is to take August off. “It’s not that the work ethic isn’t here,” Wheeler said. “There’s a big human consideration here. Lots of time with the family.” One French custom that workers have had to work around is long lunches. “An hourlong lunch is pushing them to the uncomfortable stage,” Russell said of local restaurants. “You have the meal, you have dessert and then you have coffee.” That’s why the local McDonald’s and nearby pizza and calzone restaurant, jokingly called the “Spirit Cafeteria,” are popular. They serve lunch much faster. The Spirit facility provides opportunities for Spirit’s U.S. and French employees. It gives Wichita and Kinston workers who come to help support the plant an opportunity for development. And French employees are finding room for growth. Spirit site support manager Severine Bouclet was the site’s first new hire. Bouclet is fluent in English and has worked as an interpreter. Bouclet describes the facility as a mix of French and American cultures. “In France, when we try to recruit someone, we always look for perfection,” she said. “We call it the sheep with five legs.” Local employers look for the perfect resume, the perfect education and the perfect experience, she said. U.S. employers are more open-minded and offer more opportunities, she said. “You bet on people more than something on a piece of paper,” she said. Americans are also more laid-back than the French. “You don’t take yourselves as seriously as we do,” she said.”Learn the social signals that can make or break the deal It is imperative to be prepared to a different business experience to what you are used to when venturing in the global business market. Cross Cultural Business etiquette is necessary and will often make or break the deal. There is a basic business etiquette you must learn before you meet your new business partner. China, France, Senegal Germany, Mexico…. know about the essentials such as how to greet others, how to handle business cards, punctuality… the first impression is important everywhere. A perfect business etiquette in the USA could be perceived otherwise in Taiwan. Let’s take the example of the handshake, it is expected when you arrive and leave the meeting in Germany and Italy, group greetings should be avoided. Even though the two Countries are closer to each other than Pennsylvania and California…. Things are done differently…In Germany handshake should be firm and really brief whereas in Italy it is warm and lasting. The International business language is English but human communication consists of 93% body language and paralinguistic cues, while only 7% of communication consists of words themselves. You could be in a situation where everyone speak the same language and really misunderstand what is going on. Some situation could make you feel very uncomfortable and vulnerable. Let’s go to a business meeting with France, people talk in high pitch voice... they are loud, use a lot of gestures… you think... " Why are they angry, are they frustrated with me, the contract..." you could read anger, frustration, “drama” when it means great interest in the topic…. your calmness could be seen as a complete lack of interest on your part… CCAI Wichita ( Cross Cultural Assimilation Institute) will help you understand how communication styles are influenced by cultures. CCAI will get you prepared for your next cross cultural, international business meeting. Misinterpretations, misunderstandings and because each side tends to view the other from its own cultural viewpoint be the one with an open mind. 
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Learn something new about another culture and adopt it
Our World is becoming more global everyday. How can you help make it a little smaller? There are ways learn something new about another culture and see the world through another cultural point of view. Ask your international colleagues and friends, you will be surprised to hear the opinions and how perspectives differ. First impression are important in all cultures, many own the book ” Kiss, Bow, or Shake hands” from Terri Morrisson and Wayne A Canaway, you read it before the foreign delegate arrives or on the plane on the way to your business meeting, it is a great first step!. One question though… what do you do while you Kiss, Bow, or Shake hands… do you look down? in the persons eyes, do you stay close or far. Who makes the move first? the woman, the man? the oldest woman? do you shake hands to kids? You could be doing everything right but yet read the wrong message because of your cultural viewpoint. This is what happened to me. I laugh about it now, but it was one of the first very embarassing experience I had in the USA, also one of the reason I started Cross Cultural Assimilation Institute…. My very first USA job, the first day I was introduced to my new work team. I shook hands with many people… they would say ” How are you doing… I am … so and so…” through the introduction I was asking myself ”why where they asking me how I was doing…. we did not know each other?” we were not friends… and if I tried answering…. they did not really listen to the answer… they also introduced themself by their first name, no Mrs, Mr… Director, President and were smiling a lot... as if they were very excited to see me, or maybe they were hiding something… in my non-smiling country ( France) we do not smile much to people we do not know…. I went home from my first day from work feeling confused but looking at the positive….it was a very warm and welcoming work environment… it would be easy, I had made many connections on the first day, we were all friends! Day number two… since we were all my friends… I proceeded to greed them the way I knew…. with a kiss on each cheek… 
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Using Perspective to Add Value There are more than 196 countries in the
World today so potentially there are more than 196 viewpoints to learn on any single subject. Think about the meaning of colors across cultures. Colors acquire different meaning over time. In China, colors are very symbolic and can make or break the success of your business opportunities or marketing material. Let’s take the color white as an example, in the Western culture is often associated to wedding celebration, new
beginning, purity… in China, it is a color that must be avoided for anything festive or in connection to a wedding ceremony as it is the color used for funerals. Red, the color red symbolic of prosperity and happiness and the color used for celebration is the one used at weddings. We have many opportunities to learn about other cultures within our community. When you see something done differently… ask questions, take it as a learning opportunity, and build intercultural relationship. Educate them as much as you are being educated. Reasonable people see “the truth” differently. One’s view of “the truth” can change. Take our differences in perspective as an opportunity to learn and teach and bridge cultural gaps and misunderstanding BUT also as an asset in your work as the World is becoming more global every day. Make and read comments
Using Perspective to Add Value Always being willing to seek out new ideas from people that have different perspectives can make you come up with a solution to a problem you may not have ever thought was a problem. Being from different culture or visiting different cultures can help you see a new perspective. Look at this picture briefly and think about what you think it shows.
This picture was shown to people ranged in age from 14 to 50 and from Bolivia, Ethopia, France, China, Italy, the Netherlands, Peru, Tunisia, Uganda…. The picture has an amazing number of possible interpretations because people concentrate on different aspects…family relationship, hierarchical relationship, religious role, gender difference…. What influences your interpretation? (Gert Jan Hofsede, Exploring Culture) Posted on July 25, 2011 by CCAI Wichita, Cross Cultural Assimilation Institute LLC Make and read comments Thursday, June 16, 2011 "You kiss, you HUG??? What do you do?? (Tu embrasses, tu fais un hug, tu fais quoi????)"
With her southern French accent my Mom asked: " In the USA, you kiss, you HUG??? What do you do?? (Tu embrasses, tu fais un hug, tu fais quoi???)"
Getting ready to travel overseas takes some clothe, maybe a travel guide, learning a couple of basic sentences “ Where is the train station” “ Where is the restroom” “ Thank you” " yes no"…..
I landed in the USA… I saw plenty of movies… I red some books…. I spoke English... I was ready...
I now know that Human communication consists of 93% body language and paralinguistic cues, while only 7% of communication consists of words themselves.... I experienced my first cultural faux pas the first time I said Hello to a person I had not previously met in France! For a while I would kiss people when they would try to hug me... I would try hugging them when they would extend their hand... I even kissed people on the lips by accident... Learning by experience... I eventually got it right...I think.... so let me ask you, what are the rules?
In France women initiate the handshake. A younger man can't initiate the handshake to an older man or any woman; a person of higher status will initiate the handshake, if you don't know status the oldest man or the female will initiate the handshake.... BUT people kiss at work... men to men, women to women, men to women... when will you know it is OK to kiss in France? Is the USA is a hug the equivalent of a kiss?
In Mexico shake hands or give a slight bow when introduced.... but when do people start kissing each other on the cheek?
In the United Arab Emirate kissing each other on the cheek is a sign of friendship, and it is common amongst male friends, how will you react if you make friends there?
What are the rules here in the USA? Did it happen to you? Posted by CCAI, Be prepared, Be Cross Cultural at 3:30 PM 2 comments Labels: Cultures Tuesday, May 31, 2011 The excitement of learning and teaching a language
Bonjour!
Today is French for Kids day. I started the program about 4 weeks ago. I knew it would be fun but I had no idea it would be THAT MUCH FUN!
In a few weeks, the kids learned how to: introduce themselves, their colors, make basic sentences...
They just love it!! Every Tuesday in French class, we travel the World, we go to Canada, France, Africa ... we learn songs, we learn how to communicate, we discover how to call thing differently.... just like learning a synonym for each object surrounding us....
I feel so lucky to be able to share this with them!
They now know : Je suis intelligent(e), j'ai 10 ans, je vis a Wichita, je ne travaille pas.... (I am smart, i am 10 years old, I don't work)...
Today we will learn numbers...
They look and sound so excited! always asking for new vocabulary, often ahead of the lesson.
Learning a second, third... language is crucial, it is the key to opening the door to many cultures and experiences. We might exclude our-self from great opportunities because of the lack of words.
In the USA we don't have physical proximity to other countries and the same chances to practice or to be exposed but there are other ways... take what is available to you locally to expose your children and yourself. Participate in language classes, go to in language and culture meeting groups (in Wichita) such as “Voulez-vous parler avec moi” ( French), the “Spanish Table” ( Spanish), “Stammtisch” ( German).... Have a movie night and watch Shrek in Spanish French or German for a change...
Here are some opportunities coming up!
Saturday, June 4th, Wichita Wingnuts Stadium
MCEA members would like to invite you all to join us for family fun, baseball game, multicultural entertainment and information, arts/crafts, cultural and food booths at "Multicultural Experience with the Wichita Wingnuts" on Saturday, June 4th!
Monday, June 6, Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E. 9th, 10:30 am
Une jolie histoire: French/English Story time
Expose your child (up to age 6) and yourself to French during a bilingual story time. Travel to an imaginary world and be introduced to a new language. Registration begins Wednesday, May 25; call 688-9361. (30 minutes)
Merci!!
Claude
French for Kids and grown up will start again this fall.
http://crosscultural-a-i.com/2011Programs.aspx Posted by CCAI, Be prepared, Be Cross Cultural at 9:14 AM 0 comments Saturday, October 16, 2010 L'Attitudes Wichita
We had a great L'Attitudes Wichita meeting on October 14th.
We talked about table manners around the World and share stories.
American backyard BBQ's, where we pick food up and eat with our hands? This is SHOCKING, for the first time attendees! Forewarn your foreign-born guests! It is American culture!
And what country eats almost exclusively with their hands and gives you a towel over your shoulder to keep wiping your hands off during your meal? Do some countries expect you to eat from the same plate as others? Drink from the same glass? Do you sit in chairs or on pillows on the floor? You'd better know before you go!
Posted by CCAI, Be prepared, Be Cross Cultural at 1:21 PM 0 comments Labels: L'Attitudes Wichita October 14th meeting Sunday, January 17, 2010 Count to 3 on your fingers and I will tell you where you are from! Body speaks louder than words!
I recently watched the movie "inglorious Basterds".
I found it interesting that such a small gesture gave away so much information. I will refresh your memory and take you back to chapter 4
Disguised as an SS Hauptsturmführer, Hicox joins forces with the Basterds, as well as German film actress and Allied double agent Bridget von Hammersmark. Their rendezvous at a tavern goes awry when an SS Sturmbannführer realizes that Hicox is not German. The resulting Mexican standoff finally erupts into a bloodbath, leaving everyone in the tavern (including Hicox and the two German-born Basterds, Stiglitz and Wicki) dead except von Hammersmark, who is wounded in the leg.
Do you remember how SS Sturmbannführer realized Hicox is not German? Posted by CCAI, Be prepared, Be Cross Cultural at 9:35 PM 0 comments Labels: Cross cultural Assimilation Institute, Cultures, LLC Monday, December 28, 2009 Celebrating the New Year across cultures Greetings!
The end of 2009 is near, and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a great New Year 2010. As we say in my country, Bonne année 2010 et bonne santé!
In France, New Year's Eve (31 December) is called la Saint-Sylvestre and is usually celebrated with a dinner party called le Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre. The feast tends to include special items like champagne and foie gras ( goose or duck liver), and the accompanying party can range from an intimate dinner with friends to une soirée dansante. At midnight, everyone kisses under the mistletoe and offers their best wishes for the New Year.
For those who thought that the New Year comes once in a year, you may be surprised to find out other wise. If you are work for the Globetrotters you could end up celebrating the New Year several times a month all through the 12 months of the year!!
How is it where you are from? how do you celebrate?
I hope you will have a great Holiday season and a great New Year, whenever it starts and whatever year it is!
Visit my web site at www.crosscultural-a-i.com Posted by CCAI, Be prepared, Be Cross Cultural at 7:35 AM 2 comments | |
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