Language and Culture

Chuseok: How to Celebrate the Korean Way

By |2018-10-11T14:54:19-05:00September 17th, 2018|Annual Monthly or Day Observance, Asia, Bridging the Cultural Divide, Cross-Cultural Tips for Doing Business in, Global Celebrations, global competency, Global Traditions, Holiday Season, International Holidays, Korea, Korean Celebrations, Language and Culture, Lifestyle, Modern Manners, South Korea|

If your business travels in early October take you to Korea, knowledge of the following Chuseok customs will prepare you to engage in intelligent conversation about this traditional harvest festival.

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3 Cross-Cultural Tips for Doing Business in Argentina: The Land of Silver

By |2018-10-11T14:54:20-05:00September 5th, 2018|Argentina, Business Etiquette, Career Tips, Culture, Customer Service Etiquette, Intercultural, intercultural competence, Language and Culture, Relationships, Self-Awareness, Social Etiquette, South America, Travel, Travel Etiquette, Traveling Etiquette, Workplace Diversity|

Buenos Aires photo by Deensel on flikr Argentum, the Latin term for silver, is the reason behind the country’s name Argentina. The origin comes from the first Spanish conquerors to reach the Rio de La Plata, or the Silver River, where they were welcomed by the natives with gifts from this precious material. [...]

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The Ghost Gala: Obon Festival

By |2018-10-11T14:54:20-05:00August 10th, 2018|Annual Monthly or Day Observance, Business and the Environment, Business Etiquette, Cross-Cultural, Culture, Gala Etiquette, gift-giving, Global Celebrations, Global Traditions, Holiday Parties, Holiday Season, Intercultural, International Holidays, International Travel Tips, Japan, Language and Culture, Legends and Myths, Lifestyle, Relationship Building, Relationships, Religious Celebrations, Self-Awareness, Social Etiquette, Travel|

The Obon (or Bon) Festival, widely known as the Festival of Souls, commences on August 13th and ends on August 16th this year. This annual Japanese Buddhist three-day festival is dedicated to celebrating Japanese family heritage. The origin begins with a disciple of Buddha, Mokuren (Maha Maudgalyayana), who used his powers to peer [...]

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National Humor Month: Four Tips for Culturally-Sensitive Humor

By |2018-10-11T14:54:26-05:00April 6th, 2018|avoiding international blunders, Business and the Environment, Business Etiquette, Career Tips, Cross-Cultural, Culture, Intercultural, intercultural competence, Language and Culture, Observances - Monthly & Daily, Office Culture, Self-Awareness, US Observances, Workplace Diversity, Workplace Etiquette|

From harmless puns and silly memes, to stereotypical jokes and shady sarcasm, humor is a diverse concept with a slightly different meaning for everyone. Whether you consider yourself a born jokester, or prefer to keep a serious profile, it’s vital to understand humor’s place in a professional environment, especially if the workplace is multicultural. As [...]

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Successful Business in Botswana: Bridging the Culture Gap

By |2018-10-11T14:54:28-05:00March 22nd, 2018|Africa, Bridging the Cultural Divide, Career Tips, Cross-Cultural, Cross-Cultural Tips for Doing Business in, Culture, Intercultural, intercultural competence, International Travel Tips, Language and Culture, Networking|

Since gaining independence in 1966, Botswana has emerged as one of the world's fastest growing economies. It continues to gain momentum as one of the industry leaders in mining and manufacturing. Prudent management of the country’s resources, transition to a democratic political system, and good governance have contributed to Botswana’s sustained 5% growth per annum [...]

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Year of the Dog: Energy, Integrity, and New Connections

By |2018-10-11T14:54:28-05:00February 14th, 2018|Annual Monthly or Day Observance, Asia, Business Etiquette, China, Chinese Culture, Chinese New Year, Cross-Cultural, Culture, Global Traditions, Holiday Season, International Holidays, Language and Culture, Legends and Myths|

In Eastern Asia, excitement is building as nations prepare to celebrate for a new Zodiac year. Chinese New Year, celebrated on February 16, 2018, brings families together for festivals and feasts during the biggest holiday in many Asian cultures. It holds special  meaning tied to the Zodiac cycle. The Zodiac Cycle is a 60-year period [...]

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Picturesque Pyeongchang: Cultural Wonders for Travelers

By |2018-10-11T14:54:29-05:00January 24th, 2018|Asia, Cross-Cultural, Culture, Hosting International Visitors, Intercultural, International Travel Tips, Korea, Language and Culture, Lifestyle, Olympics, South Korea, Travel|

Every four years, sports enthusiasts and globetrotters head north to witness world-class athletes compete in the spectacular Winter games. In February 2018, the historic games will take place in Pyeongchang, South Korea, a small province nestled in the heart of the Taebaek Mountains. The region’s snowy slopes and pristine scenery are not only the perfect [...]

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Keeping Up in Korea: 2018 Travel Tips

By |2018-10-11T14:54:29-05:00January 22nd, 2018|Asia, avoiding international blunders, Bridging the Cultural Divide, Cross-Cultural, Culture, Global Celebrations, Intercultural, Korea, Language and Culture, Olympics, South Korea, Sport Etiquette, Travel, Travel Etiquette, Traveling Etiquette|

  From speed skating to Alpine skiing, the Winter Games offer chills and thrills for spectators worldwide. The year’s games will take place in Pyeongchang, South Korea, and thousands of sports enthusiasts are gearing up to witness the competition in early February. With so many nationalities represented in the games and in the stands, cultural [...]

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Lessons from FLE: Overcoming Intercultural Communication Roadblocks

By |2018-10-11T14:54:30-05:00January 19th, 2018|Bridging the Cultural Divide, Cross-Cultural, Culture, France, Intercultural, intercultural competence, Language and Culture|

Since the age of Babel, teachers have been seeking ways to overcome the hurdle of language barrier and give students practical skills to navigate new lingual and cultural waters. This challenge becomes much harder when the teacher doesn’t speak their student’s native language, or when each student speaks a different language or dialect. Sound impossible? [...]

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Catalonia & Spain: 4 Cultural Differences

By |2018-10-11T14:54:30-05:00January 16th, 2018|Bridging the Cultural Divide, Business and the Environment, Calalonia, Cross-Cultural, Culture, Europe, global competency, intercultural competence, Language and Culture, Music, Spain|

As the Catalonian referendum continues to make international headlines, people around the world are asking about the cultural distinctions between Catalonia, a region in northeastern Spain, and the rest of the Spanish territory. During my business travels to Barcelona, Spain, the phrase ‘Catalonia is not Spain’ has not only been heard, but viscerally experienced during [...]

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