An article on the management-issues.com website offers some useful strategies for dealing with embarrassing situations of any kind. How should you react in awkward cross-cultural situations?
1. Give them the benefit of the doubt – no hasty judgments
Don’t blame others. First, assume that they had good intentions. Of course, eventually you may decide that someone was indeed being rude. But in the few first seconds, you just don’t know – especially if there is a big cultural gap between you. Also be aware that something you do can be perceived very differently by someone of a different cultural background.
2. Decide in advance how to address the situation
Recall the situations that were especially frustrating for you, then decide in advance how you will respond the next time it happens. Sometimes you can use an uncomfortable moment to talk about cultural differences. Sometimes it may be about adapting to what local people do.
3. Ask why
Often you just need more information to be able to explain why someone behaves in a certain way. Their behavior may still seem offensive to you, but there is no reason for hurt feelings. If someone don’t line up in a queue the same way you do, try to imagine what this situation is like in Asia. Due to very crowded streets, pushing may be necessary, and if you didn't, you would never get on a bus. In other countries, the amount of assertiveness needed to survive is simply different.
What embarrassing situations did you experienced with your colleagues from different cultures?
-jk-