What are cultural differences? 什么是文化差异？
Culture is a set of values, practices, traditions or beliefs a group shares, due to age, ethnicity, religion or gender. Cultural differences in the workplace are ways in which beliefs, behaviors, languages, practices, and expressions considered unique to members of a specific ethnicity, race or national origin affect how we interact with each other in the workplace. For example, employees who are younger or older than their co-workers, employees who hold higher degrees than others in the workplace and individuals who grew up in either metropolitan areas or small towns.
文化是一个团体共享的价值观，实践，传统或信仰，由一些系列因素，如年龄，种族，宗教或性别而塑造。工作场所的文化差异是指特定种族，种族或国籍成员认为独特的信仰，行为，语言，习俗和表达方式，它们影响我们在工作场所彼此互动的方式。例如，比同事更年轻或更年长的员工、在工作场所拥有更高学历的员工、以及在大城市或小城镇长大的人都会不同。
In our present-day multicultural society, it’s inevitable to have a culturally diverse workforce. Workplace diversity manuals often mention that employees have more similarities than differences and that existing differences create a more vibrant and rich office but we know they also lead to culture clash resulting in problems. Let’s take a closer look at how we can best handle such cultural differences and create a harmonious workplace that respects individual cultures and promotes unity in diversity.
在我们当今的多元文化社会中，拥有文化多元化的劳动力是不可避免的。工作场所多样性手册经常提到员工有相似之处而不是差异，现有差异创造了一个更有活力和更丰富的办公室，但我们知道这也会导致文化冲突并且导致问题。让我们仔细看看我们如何才能最好地处理这种文化差异，创造一个尊重个人文化，促进多样性与统一性相和谐的工作场所。
1. Promote appreciation of cultural differences. 加强对文化差异的欣赏
When employees and co-workers feel heard, understood and represented in the workplace, they thrive and so does the organization. The way to go about this is for co-workers to share aspects of their culture. Make it fun, set aside a special day where employees present their culture to everyone. It could be with food, ceremonies and other aspects of socialization. You can invite employees to write an article about their culture in the company’s newsletter. This kind of routine will create an atmosphere that gives coworkers an opportunity to learn about each other’s culture and appreciate one another better. Multicultural tech companies like Apple and Amazon are known for such practices.
当员工和同事在工作场所感受到倾听，理解和代表时，他们就会茁壮成长，组织也会如此。解决这个问题的方法是让同事分享他们的文化方面的独特之处。让它变得有趣，留出一个特别的日子，员工向每个人展示他们的文化。它可能与食物，仪式和社会化的其他方面有关。您可以邀请员工在公司的新闻通讯中撰写有关其文化的文章。这种惯例将营造一种氛围，让同事有机会了解彼此的文化并更好地相互欣赏。苹果和亚马逊等多元文化科技公司以此类做法而闻名。
2. Learn your client’s culture. 从客户处学习的文化
If your company is focused on clients of a particular culture, encourage employees to learn the client's culture. This could mean learning a few keywords in a foreign language, how they do business or trying their food. This goes a long way to make everyone feel comfortable as they’re on neutral ground and no one feels left out. Your client's culture can act as a springboard to examine other cultures. Some of your co-workers may share the same cultural background as the client and it will prompt them to talk about their culture. A great example is the case of a well-known multinational organization which we shall not name (just saying), they had a workplace cultural exchange program where they sent employees from their U.S office to China and vice-versa. At the end of the program when they were asked about their impressions, the Chinese employees said they noticed that Americans are obsessed with football and pumpkin-spiced food and the Americans said they noted that Chinese constantly drink hot water and have an excessive number of talents their parents have cultivated from an extremely young age.
如果您的公司专注于特定文化的客户，那要鼓励员工了解客户的文化。这可能意味着学习一些外语关键词，或看他们如何做生意或尝试他们的食物。这有很长的路要走，让每个人有舒适感，给他们一种不偏不倚的状态，同时确保没有人感到被遗忘。客户的文化可以作为检验其他文化的跳板。您的一些同事可能与客户有着相同的文化背景，这会促使他们相互交流他们的文化并分享出来。一个很好的例子是一个著名跨国组织，我们不会指名道姓，他们有一个工作场所文化交流计划，他们派员工从美国办公室到中国，也把中国员工送到美国去。在节目结束时，当他们被问及对相互之间的印象时，中国员工说他们注意到美国人痴迷于橄榄球和南瓜五香食品，而美国人说他们注意到中国人经常喝热水，并且多数人才都是他们的父母从很小的时候就开始投资培养才成才的。
So, depending on the number of clients or customers with whom you work and the amount of diversity, it may not be possible for you to learn all the languages, but learning a few greetings and key phrases can make a whole lot of difference.
因此，您合作的客户数量以及多样性，虽然您不可能无法学习所有语言，但学习一些问候语和关键短语可以产生很大的不同效果。
3. Use Multi-dimensional communication 使用多维通信
People from different cultures use different communication styles. Some cultures influence people to go straight to the point and say what needs to be said while other cultures have a more subtle approach and will circle around before getting to the point. For example, the Western and Chinese modes of communication are at total odds. The previous is direct while the latter is indirect. If an American or European co-worker has something to say, even if it’s not good news, they’ll just say it, as for a Chinese co-worker they’re likely to make suggestions, to imply or give cues without saying it outright. This is how such a conversation will play out:
来自不同文化的人使用不同的沟通方式。一些文化影响人们直截了当地说出需要说些什么，而其他文化有一种更微妙的方法，并且在达到目的之前会绕圈子。例如，西方和中国的交流方式是完全不同的。前者是直接的，而后者是间接的。如果一个美国或欧洲的同事有话要说，即使这不是好消息，他们也会说，就像一个中国同事他们可能会提出建议，暗示或提出暗示而不是直截了当的说出来。这样的对话将会是这样进行的：
The American Way: Hey, are you busy? Do you have a moment? Could I talk to you for a minute?
美国方式：嘿，你忙吗？你有时间吗？我可以和你聊一会儿吗？
The Chinese Way: Have you eaten yet? It looks like it will rain today, did you bring an umbrella? Could we go for lunch together today?
中国方式：你吃过饭了吗？看起来今天好像会下雨，你带雨伞了吗？咱们今天能一起吃个午饭吗？
Understanding the different communication styles and how culture influences them will help to ease frustration and promote understanding for everyone. Communication affects how people handle problems, some cultures are hesitant to give bad news, and other cultures may exaggerate it. An Asian may speak to older coworkers and hierarchy with reverence and respect while the western culture does not really lay emphasis on age as a communication factor in the workplace.
了解不同的沟通方式以及文化如何影响他们，将有助于减轻挫折感并促进对每个人的理解。沟通会影响人们处理问题的方式，有些文化对于提供坏消息犹豫不决，而其他文化可能会夸大它。亚洲人可能会对老同事和领导说话时有着尊重和崇敬，而西方文化并没有非常强调年龄作为工作场所的沟通因素
Moreover, it's likely that some of your co-workers are from different continents or countries, and they are still working toward being fluent in English. It's important to learn techniques to work through any existing language barriers for the greater good of the organization.
此外，同事们虽然来自不同的大陆或国家，但他们会使用着统一的英语来流利地工作, 所以，学习解决语言障碍的方法，对于组织的更大获益非常重要。
4. Be accommodating and open-minded. 保持宽容和开放
Regardless of your business type, for there to be success you need to keep an open mind. Certain cultures will require you to go out and drink alcohol as a form of bonding between colleagues or with clients. Others may require specific prayer times you’ll have to consider. Employees may require certain religious holidays to be accommodated into the organization's schedule. Build bridges instead of creating boundaries, if you respect Christmas make sure you do the same for Chinese New Year and Eid. If you're in a position where you schedule meetings, events, work days, etc., have a cultural calendar so you're aware of the different holidays for different cultures. You can obtain cultural calendars for free online, this way everyone learns to appreciate each other’s culture, opinions, and expertise.
无论业务类型如何，只要目的是为了取得成功，必须保持开放的心态。某些文化会要求员工外出喝酒来建立员工之间或与客户之间的关系。而其他人可能需要特定的祈祷时间或礼拜时间，是组织必须考虑到的事情， 所以员工可能需要将某些宗教节日纳入组织的时间表。所以，需要组织去建立桥梁而不是创造边界阻碍。如果组织尊重圣诞节，请确保为中国新年和开斋节做同样的事情。如果有安排会议，活动，工作日等考虑，请制作文化日历，以便了解不同文化的不同假期。可以免费在线获取文化日历，这样每个人都可以学会欣赏尊重彼此的文化，观点和专业知识。
5. Focus on the strengths everybody brings to the table. 专注每个人带来的优势
Bear in mind that the more opinions, the more variety, and the more diversity we bring to the table the more we can be creative. Every employee and coworker has something to offer, you may not agree with their approach but respect it. Research shows that in the future of work, diversity will not be an option, but an imperative to sustain in our global, fast-paced economy. Certain cultures do not accept open criticism or reproach. An example is a Chinese concept of saving face. It’s very important not to lose face and people will go to extreme lengths to preserve face.
请记住，我们带来的观点越多，越多样化，有着更多的不同点，我们就会越有创造力。每个员工和同事都可以提供一些东西，可能会不同意他们的方法，但请尊重它。研究表明，在未来的工作中，多样性不是一种选择，而是维持在全球快节奏经济中的必要条件。此外，某些文化不接受公开的批评或指责。一个例子是中国人面子观念，重要的是不丢脸，人们会竭尽全力维护面子。
Face makes having a simple disagreement or giving criticism, very difficult at times. Not knowing the answer to a question loses face. Asking a question with unsatisfactory answer loses face. Simply put, Chinese communication serves to promote harmony and save everyone from embarrassment or possible dissension. So, with Chinese coworkers, throw no stones and make no waves and all will be bliss. When giving criticism (or wanting feedback), a one-on-one scenario is much more effective, because it takes away the embarrassment of a third party. But with westerners no one really cares, no one will dwell on or take criticism as a direct attack on their honor.
面对一个简单的分歧或批评，有时非常困难。不知道问题的答案会丢脸，提出一个不满意的答案的问题会丢脸。简而言之，中国文化传播有助于促进和谐，并使每个人免于尴尬或有可能的分歧。因此，与中国同事一起，不投石激浪，一切都会很好。在给予批评（或想要反馈）时，一对一场景更有效，因为它消除了在第三方面前的尴尬。但是，对于西方人来说没人在乎这个丢脸不丢脸的问题，因为没有人会在他们的荣誉上直接攻击或批评他们。
American Criticism: Your presentation is not well thought-out and devoid of any real content, it’s garbage, fix that.
美国式批评：你的演讲没有深思熟虑，没有任何真实的内容，这是垃圾，修复它。
Chinese Criticism: Wow, your presentation came in so quickly, it’s great! Maybe you could consider adding some more specific content.
中国式批评：哇，你的演讲进展真快，太棒了！也许您也可以考虑添加一些更具体的内容呢。
6. Put aside Cultural stereotypes 抛开文化刻板印象
Engaging in cultural stereotyping is the fastest way to kill a good vibe in your company. But like it or not we all have certain beliefs we were raised with and they most certainly affect the way we interact with others. The first step to getting along with someone is by setting aside what we know and think we know and trying to understand them for who they are. (Sounds like a pep talk?) Well, it’s true, for the sake of harmony avoid using idioms, slang, cultural references and stereotypes to make a point. Culture is a very broad, yet incredibly complex and intricate topic. Making generalizations about a culture can be dangerous, offensive and completely unhelpful.
拥有文化刻板印象的观念是消除公司良好氛围的最快方式。虽然无论喜欢与否，我们人都会有一定的固有信念，这是我们成长过程中产生的。这些信念肯定会影响我们与他人互动的方式。与某人相处的第一步是撇开我们的固有认知，并试图去了解他到底是谁。这一点不可置疑，所以因为和谐原因，要避免使用方言，俚语，文化参照和刻板印象来说明问题。文化是一个非常广泛但又极其繁琐和错综复杂的话题。对文化进行概括可能是危险的，冒犯性的，完全无益的。
Summary 总结
The diversity in today's workplace means we must be more sensitive to each other's culture, everyone has to make a conscious effort to express oneself well, be an active listener and tailor what we say to our audience. We recommend you to put these tips to test and see the changes it’ll operate in your workplace. Feel free to reach out to us with feedback on how it goes.
当今工作场所的多样性意味着我们必须对彼此的文化更加敏感的洞悉，每个人都必须有意识地努力表达自己，做一个积极的倾听者并改变我们对观众所说的话。我们建议组织将这些试着用用这些方法，并根据它在您的工作场所中运行的方式进行调整。并请随时与我们联系，提供反馈意见。
Commentaires