DL Opinion columns

Don’t let your cross-cultural communication skills fade away – by Deborah Levine

originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

When was the last time you had a conversations with someone different from yourself?  It was probably more recently than you think since we’re all different, no two people are exactly alike. That’s why it’s so strange that the term ‘diversity’ has become almost a curse word. The world is full of diverse folks, cultures, and languages. I learned that as a young kid when we moved from the British colony of Bermuda to New York. I discovered that even kids who looked like me spoke a very different language, American English.  They didn’t appreciate my Queen’s English and I was beaten up on the playground. They were just kids, but should have known better. Unfortunately, it’s not much different with adults responding to culturally diverse folks today.

A cultural lesson wasn’t what I had expected on a zoom call last week with fellow speakers trained by Vincent Ivan Phipps. Decades ago, Vincent encouraged me endlessly to get on stage and tell my stories. Reluctantly and panicking, I finally agreed, rehearsed repeatedly, and there I was…at the 1999 opening of Coolidge Park. Now, I’m an international storyteller, enjoying every story and can even ad lib. So on this zoom call, I should have known Vincent would surprise me with a question. He was discussing how speakers need to target the correct audience in order to be hired. Then, it came: “Deborah, what’s your favorite Jewish dessert?”

Jolted by the unexpected, I panicked. But almost immediately the answer bubbled up inside me. Rugelach! When he asked me to describe it, an image suddenly came to mind of the crusty, cinnamon pastry. He knew my self-awareness was good enough to make that happen. And I immediately responded with ‘delicatessen’ when he asked, “Where?” We all laughed when he pointed out that we’d never find Rugelach at a Mexican restaurant. Vincent’s demonstration of why you should target the right audience was quickly absorbed.

‘Know your audience’ is a concept that goes back to Plato in ancient Greece. Know the habits, interests, and traditions of your audience. And engage them with your commonalities.  Knowledge is especially needed to figure out how you might have something in common with a group different from you. Food is a good symbol and you can tell stories about experiencing various desserts  Knowledge of those desserts is what I call ‘cultural competence’. It allows you to connect despite cultural differences and have conversations that lead to profitable connections.

In the current war against diversity, cultural competence can get sucked up into your brain’s attic where it’ll fade away. Ignorance will be the result. You’re likely to go to the wrong place for that Rugelach and make everyone laugh. Or you’ll just get ignored, which is never good for business.  Even worse, you might make folks really angry. 

These days, angry, offensive insults can go viral, calling you names and ridiculing your business. What to do if that happens?  It’s tempting to hit back, but reject going to battle. Intensifying the rage only makes the situation more visible, and worse. That’s the advice in my latest book co-authored with Carlos Cortés that’s coming out this fall: Battlefield Dispatches from the Culture Wars: Building Bridges through Constructive Conversations. 

Use your internet time constructively. For example, learn about famous food and their cultures:

Italy’s Neapolitan pizza, Thailand’s pad thai, Japan’s sushi and ramen, Mexico’s tacos al pastor, Spain’s paella, and Indonesia’s beef rendang.  Go sample them. That should keep you, your brain, and your cultural competence cooking! 

Now excuse me, I really need some Rugelach. It’s so yummy I think it’s even at Walmart.

Editor-in-Chief
Latest posts by Editor-in-Chief (see all)