Midnight Sun in Tallinn
What a Fantastic Day! World Cultural Diversity Day
Hello and welcome everyone,
What a fantastic day to be blogging to the world - on World Cultural Diversity Day - reaching out across the world to say 'hello' and touchinig the lives of others.
I was saddened to hear of the death of Robin Gibb on the news this morning as I can remember dancing round my parent's living room, jigging away to their music and hearing my Dad laughing at me. Happy times. No doubt, the Bee Gees' music brings back many memories for you, too. Robin, along with his three brothers, have certainly touched the lives of many. However, when I heard an excerpt from one of his interviews, I immediately saw how similar we are to him as interculturalists.
No, not in the usual way of understanding culture...
In the context of retirement, Robin Gibb said it would be impossible for him to retire because being a songwriter and performer wasn't something you do but someting you are. And, consequently, you just have to keep doing it as 'it' burst out of you. That's just how I feel!
Interculturalism, isn't something I do to earn a living - it's something I AM. I feel it, live it, breathe it (as we say in English). It's my passion and where my heart is. And, the very great thing about our particular industry is that we all feel the same way. No one can do 'interculturalism' half heartedly - just as a job. It becomes part of our identity. So ,even though we may have our own cross-cultural difficulties at times with colleagues, we all understand that interculturalism gives us a platform of best intentions.
I can wax lyrical for longer - but you all live busy lives. I just wanted to wish you all a very Happy World Cultural Diversity Day. Pass the message along.
Best regards - Debby
To Discern Water Is To Discern Culture
I wasn't quite sure what to expect of the coming three days as I climbed aboard my EasyJet flight to Milan last week. I knew three days spent in the company of Milton Bennett and other interculturalists was going to be stimulating and probably a good deal of fun. However, there was a surprise at every turn which never failed to keep me enthralled.
I attended Milton's 3-Day Course: "Constructivist Foundations of Intercultural Communication - Applying The New Paradigm" * which turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. Coming from a business background, I've always thought I had side-stepped into the intercultural communications field and had gaps in my understanding of the subject. Only too well aware that I had no formal learning in socio-linguistic studies and behavioural science, I found I was always trying to fill the gaps by catch-up reading about cross-cultural differences from many other perspectives. Now I have a firm grasp of how all the different approaches knit together and, more importantly, what constitutes the realm of intercultural communication... and what doesn't!
Every day I was introduced to new tools and techniques which I could easily have played with for hours - just like a child with a new Christmas toy. To say each day was like Christmas Day isn't an exaggeration. My brain was challenged and stimulated in equal measure - and I enjoyed every minute. I learned so much that I had to revisit everything on the plane home AND when I arrived back in my office in case I let anything slip from my grasp.
The highlight of our time together was experiencing a water tasting evening. "To have the ability to discern water," remarked Milton, "will help you with your ability to discern cultures." And so, the evening began with us learning how to discern the taste and texture of flat and sparkling waters. An amazing experience that I am so pleased I had the opportunity to undergo.
Needless to say, as we were in Italy, wine did eventually replace water and was accompanied by a magnificent meal. Forty-five empty glasses and three and a half hours later, five sober but merry folk left the restaurant to find sleep before meeting up for our last day together.
I thoroughly enjoyed Milton's three-day event. In terms of professional practice, I've come away with lots of new tools and techniques to use with my clients and a greater confidence in my ability to assess their needs better. In terms of my own self-development, I've come away with a depth of understanding and new insights into my own topic area. I'd recommend anyone in the intercultural field to attend.
*The Foundations course is just one of a number that are run by the Intercultural Development Reaserch Institute see: www.idrinstitute.org
Happy Grandmother March - A Romanian Custom
As old as tradtion itself, the first of March has been a special holiday for Bulgarians since old times.
Whether you are in Bulgaria or not,why not do as Bulgarians do - give a "Marteniza" with a wish for good health to each of your family, friends and colleagues.
This is a wonderful gesture of love and good will!
It'll bring you good luck as well!
Developing Cultural Competence
Do you see your organisation’s culture as a significant part of your business’ performance equation? Do you see it as a driver of your financial performance? If your answer is not a resounding “Yes,” then you may want to read on...
The world has changed dramatically over the past 20 years due to globalisation, global de-regulation, new technologies and significant changes in the global political and economic environment.
What hasn’t changed is how we organise, motivate and reward people in global operating companies. Read this insightful article by Dr Finn Majlergaard.
Culture is not only about national differences – how the Americans are different from the Japanese – or about ethnic or religious differences – Cultural difference applies just as much to organisations and to their corporate culture.
What is it that Apple and Google have that perhaps Yahoo hasn’t?
You know, it takes a lot of courage for an organisation to build CULTURAL COMPETENCE. It means it is continually open to new ideas and challenges. The link between culture and performance has been investigated and proven by a number of researchers. The more you can align your culture with your organisational goals, the more you develop cultural competency, the superior levels of financial performance you will attain.
A Snapshot Trip Around Europe In the Spring
A Proper English High Tea - in Holland!
My Dutch daughter-in-law wanted to take me to her favourite eaterie (cafe) where she said I would get a real surprise - and she was right. To my surprise this lovely little place, called Goldwyns, served some typically English food; including High Tea.
To those who might not have experienced high tea before (I've only done so a handful of times in my life) I will warn you that you need a very empty stomach. Along with numerous pots of tea come sandwiches of various kinds, then scones (like a sweet bread bun) with thick clotted cream and jam, followed by a variety of cakes. The selection this time was a mouth watering choice between chocolate gateau, carrot cake and lemon meringue pie - we both tried a little bit of each!
Needless to say, we both enjoyed the walk back to Central Station as we really needed to walk all the food off. All in all, I can thoroughly recommend high tea in Holland.
When's a Broom a Push-Me or Pull-You type?
I must admit that I was Puzzled-of-Thorpe-Bay on Sunday. What a difference a week makes.. one Sunday we were still snowed up and this Sunday it was like the first day of Spring. So, we went out into the garden to sweep up and generally make the place look tidier. That's when it happened...
Is there a cross-cultural difference in the way we use a broom and sweep the floor? It may not be cross-cultural but it certainly is gender difference!
You see, my Gran always taught me to sweep a room from the furthest corner towards the door... and towards me, so I walk backwards pulling all the dust towards me. Thus, I need a Pull-You broom. My husband, on the other hand, walks forward and sweeps forward. Thus he needs a Push-Me broom.
So what happened?
Using my husband's large, wide broom, I tried to sweep the patio but with increasing frustration. It (the broom) wouldn't work! Now I know a bad workman blames his tools but the broom really wouldn't sweep properly. That's when we ended up having a discussion about the 'correct' way to sweep. His broom works well when you push the dust forwards - like a Road Sweeper does. But I'm used to a much smaller broom that I can twist easily about and sweep towards me. So we agreed to differ on sweeping styles and decided there was a "man's way" and a "women's way"!
One thing is for sure, you certainly can't sweep in the direction you want with the wrong broom.
From the Edge of England: Happy Pancake Day
Many people love pancakes, but did you know that in Britain we have an official Pancak Day? Every Shrove Tuesday is Pancake Day when traditionally we rush home from work to have fun with the children as we cook pancakes, flip them in the pan... and make a mess!
In London, pancake flipping races are now an ingrained city-wide tradition, taking place every year. The legend has it that tossing originated in the sleepy town of Olney in Buckinghamshire (England) when a housewife, consumed with the business of pancake making, forgot herself entirely until hearing the church bells when she raced out the house – complete with frying pan and pancake.
Different regions have their own tradtional way of serving pancakes and Brits often 'argue' over which is the 'right' way to serve them. Of course, it's with lemon and sugar! that's the way my Gran and Mum served them to me and how I have passed on the tradition to my children. However, Ken, my husband, prefers them with golden syrup or jam (well, he comes from the north east of England - what else can you expect!)
The Origin of Pancake Day
A day celebrated with fun, cooking, flipping games, and of course a lot of eating. However, the most well known activity is the Pancake Day race at Olney which has been held since 1445. It all began, it is said, when a woman was cooking pancakes on Shrove Tuesday to use up all of her perishables before Lent. While she was still cooking she heard the chiming of the bells summoning her to church. Not wanting to be late, the woman ran to church with her apron on and the frying pan still in her hand. Little did she know that this would start a tradition that would be around for over 500 years!
Only women are allowed to participate in this race. They must run a designated path with a frying pan and end up at the church. They must have a hot pancake in the frying pan which they must flip at least three times before they complete the race. The first woman to complete the race and arrive at church with the pancake is declared the winner. She then serves the pancake to the bellringer and is rewarded with a kiss from the bellringer called the “Kiss of peace”. This race still occurs in England and in several other cities.
The Pancake Collector
by Jack Prelutsky
Come visit my pancake collectionI
t’s unique in the civilized world
I have pancakes in every description,
Pancakes flaky and fluffy and curled
I have pancakes of various sizes
Pancakes regular, heavy and light
Underdone pancakes and overdone pancakes
And pancakes so perfectly right
I have pancakes locked up in the closets
have pancakes on hangers and hooks
There are bags in boxes and bureaux
And pressed in the pages of books
There are pretty ones sewn to the cushions
And tastefully pinned to the drapes.
The ceilings are coated with pancakes
And pressed in the pages with crepes.
I have pancakes in most of my pockets
And concealed in the lining of suites
There are tiny ones stuffed in my mittens
And large one packed in my boots
I have extra of most of my pancakes,
I maintain them in rows on these shelves
And if you say nice things about them
You may take a few home for yourself
I see that you’ve got to be going
Won’t you let yourselves out by the door?
It is time that I pour out he batter
And bake up a few hundred more
