Welcome to the United States: An Acculturation Conversation
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This document provides an overview of a program to help prepare expatriates for living and working in the United States. The program covers understanding American culture, communicating effectively, doing business, and living in the US. It discusses American values, history, regions, diversity, and current issues. Tips are provided for adapting to a new culture and building intercultural skills to enhance work and life abroad. The objectives are to develop cultural self-awareness, knowledge of American culture, and strategies for bridging cultural differences.
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Welcome to the United States: An Acculturation Conversation
- 1. aetaet
- 2. aet Welcome to the United States An Acculturation Conversation Prepared for: COMPANY Date: LOGO
- 3. aet Program Overview 1. Your Expat Experience Your Motivation and Expectations Culture and Adaptation 2. Understanding the US The Land and the History The Values and the People 3. Communicating in the US Styles and Strategies American English Today 4. Doing Business in the US Eight Scales of Culture Working on Intercultural Teams 5. Living in the US Your New Home Your Personal Action Plan
- 4. aet Program Objectives • Encourage self-awareness and general understanding of culture • Develop knowledge of a new culture and the skills of adaptation • Learn strategies to bridge the gaps so as to create relationships and build trust • Learn to align expectations while striving to suspend judgment • Enjoy enhanced interpersonal skills leading to increased confidence and satisfaction • Develop enthusiasm for the task at hand and the opportunities it brings for personal growth Program Benefits
- 5. aet • Your motivations for moving • Your family’s expectations • Your goals longterm • Your objectives today 1. Your Expat Experience aet
- 6. aet A set of shared assumptions and values learned over a lifetime with communal symbols, heroes and rituals Let’s compare cultural notes! What is Culture?
- 7. aet WHAT IS CULTURAL COMPETENCE? WHAT ARE CULTURAL LENSES? “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.” ~ Anais Nin
- 8. aet In peach cultures, such as the US, people tend to be friendly—soft on the outside—with new acquaintances. They smile frequently at strangers, move quickly to first-name usage, share information about themselves, and ask personal questions of those they hardly know. But after a little friendly interaction with a peach, a hard-shelled, soft-centered coconut— like a French person—may suddenly get to the hard shell of the peach pit, where the peach retracts attention and ends the “relationship”. This is unconsciously deceptive: Americans are generally friendly, but they value their personal space and their families, and they move homes and jobs frequently. Friendliness doesn’t mean friendship. Peach Meets Coconut Can you identify with either of these?
- 9. aet
- 10. aet How to Manage Culture Shock
- 11. aet 7 Common Sense Ways to Ease Adjustment • Be self-aware—manage expectations • Question ethnocentric attitudes • Be organized to meet challenges • Seek support with like-minded groups • Extend your cooperative network • Cultivate interests—explore your options • Make an effort to remain positive
- 12. aet 5 Factors of Success Predictability 1.Job knowledge and motivation 2.Relational skills 3.Flexibility and adaptability 4.Extra-cultural openness 5.Family adjustment
- 13. aet The Land The History The Values The People 2. Understanding the US
- 14. aet QUIZ Name That State and/or Region
- 15. aet One version…
- 16. aet From Sea to Shining Sea The Land
- 17. aet Regional Differences • New England—Traditional • Mid-Atlantic—Business • The South—Bible Belt • The Midwest—Bread Basket • Mountain—Pioneers • The Southwest—Artistic • The West—Inventive BIG 5 PERSONALITY DIMENSIONS Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness
- 18. aet Sri Lankans on Staten Island Arabs in Brooklyn Ghanaians in the Bronx A mosaic of cultures QUEENS, NYC The New Immigrant Enclave of NYC The Most Diverse Place on Earth
- 19. aet God Bless America The History
- 20. aet Conflicting values of freedom and equality with practices of bigotry and racism: We Shall Overcome One Day
- 21. aet Daniel Boone Breaches the Cumberland Gap ~ 1767
- 22. aet An insatiable lust for land created the paradox of the frontier character…once land was secured with toil, the pioneer was restless and went looking for something more, something farther…
- 23. aet Manifest Destiny and the Homestead Act ~ 1862 “It is our manifest destiny to overspread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federated self-government entrusted to us.” ~John O’Sullivan, 1845 “Go West, young man, and grow up the land.” ~Horace Greeley’s clarion call
- 24. aet The Indian Wars 1866–1890 Indians were either slaughtered or systematically rounded up to be “housed” on “reservations” where they often starved to death due to corruption and indifference.
- 25. aet A nation of immigrants passes through Ellis Island, welcomed by Lady Liberty, seeking the American Dream in the “Land of Opportunity”.
- 26. aet An Austrian immigrant becomes a movie star and Governor of California The Values
- 27. aet • Challenge tradition • Think outside the box • Embrace change • Treat everyone as equals • Respect the privacy of others • Abide by the law of the land
- 28. aet Entrepreneurs start young, learning the value of work and ingenuity. •• Control over ones destiny • The Puritan Work Ethic • Self-reliance • Do-it-yourself
- 29. aet “The Miracle Worker” Annie Sullivan teaches deaf and blind Helen to connect with the world. Helen later graduates from Radcliffe and travels to 35 countries to speak up for the disabled. Many schools for the deaf and blind were started around the world because of her.
- 30. aet Don’t give up! Follow your dreams…
- 31. aet Family and Community • Family Values • Houses of Worship • Service Organizations • Sports and Team Spirit • Education and School Spirit The People “Dad coaches” are a thing!
- 32. aet The truth is many suburban parents raise “normal kids” from their “homes away from homes” (their cars) while juggling jobs. …with super kids! Moms
- 33. aet Hillary—2008 “Although we weren't able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, it's got about 18 million cracks in it.” Changing Gender Roles
- 34. aet EDUCATION in the US: How to manage student life from pre-school to adult school
- 35. aet Government and Politics • Balance of Power • Branches of Government • Political Parties • Voting Rights / Voting Cycle • Civic Engagement
- 36. aet Black Lives Matter vs. Police, Gun Control, Immigration, A Living Wage, LGBT rights, Reproductive Rights, Climate Change Current Issues
- 37. aet 3. Communicating with Americans “Stop calling me J.B.! My name is Jumping Bear.”
- 38. aet
- 39. Some cultures don’t trust smiles, and some find smilers less intelligent. A nation’s ideal affect is how people want to feel. US: High-arousal states are energizing. EAST ASIA: Low-arousal states are soothing.
- 40. aet Tips for Interacting with Americans • Smile, shake hands, make eye contact • Be informal—use first names • Show appreciation—we like to be liked • Don’t criticize or complain • Treat everyone equally • Be brief and direct
- 41. aet American English Today • How are you is a greeting, not a question • Practice asking questions—watch doors open • Scheduling formulas—in, on, down? • Social vocabulary: Wanna’ hang out later? • Phone and texting: voice mail formula; spelling names • You guys can be just girls/women • How to use get in every other sentence • Meaning is in the music—rhythm and pitch
- 42. aet How to understand American English Didja? They wouldnof. Dyawanna? You tell ‘em. I godda bedder idea!
- 43. aet 4. Working in the US Styles Practices Strategies
- 44. aet Edward Hall, a forerunner of cultural anthropology in the 70s, developed this model.
- 45. aet Other influencers of cross-cultural studies in the workplace Geert Hofstede1980 Fons Trompenaars1993
- 46. aet Eight scales of management culture 1. Communicating – low-context or high-context 2. Evaluating – indirect negative feedback or direct negative feedback 3. Persuading – applications-first or principles-first 4. Leading – egalitarian or hierarchy 5. Deciding – consensual or top-down 6. Trusting – task-based or relationship-based 7. Disagreeing – avoids confrontation or confrontational 8. Scheduling – linear-time or flexible-time erinmeyer.com
- 47. aet 1. Communicating • Be explicit—it’s yes or no • Win respect—be direct and brief • Add value—speak up • Meet challenges—be positive
- 48. aet Working in American English • The 7 Cs: clear, concise, concrete, correct, coherent, complete, courteous • Clarify and follow up • Email to get results • Present for an American audience • Establish credibility with a low, loud voice • Maintain comfort with body language
- 49. aet 2. Evaluating • Give positive feedback directly on the spot • Use Management by Objectives (MBO) model • Practice meritocracy over favoritism • Praise individual achievement vs. team performance • Motivate with perks • Give negative feedback indirectly positive—negative—positive • May send conflicting signals to those expecting American straight talk!
- 50. aet 3. Persuading • Informal, pragmatic, rational, single-minded, tenacious, creative, straightforward, explicit • Short-term, big picture view • Quickly reach a favorable deal • Applications-first versus principles first • Self-promotion: American second-nature
- 51. aet 4. Leading • Flat superior-subordinate relationship—egalitarian • Align needs, balance strengths • Welcome expertise at all levels • Delegate—do not micro-manage • Clear away impediments • Mentor down
- 52. aet Strategies for Leaders of Multicultural Teams • Familiarize your team with cultural differences specific to your national mix • Discuss these differences—invisible psychological boundaries—in light of the impact on collaboration and productivity • Brainstorm strategies to bridge differences and increase effectiveness • Coach team members to suspend judgment and to actively gap cultural divides • Match people’s styles to projects so as to meet your clients’ needs
- 53. aet 5. Deciding • SURPRISE: Egalitarian Americans decide “top down” • Making unilateral decisions quickly = efficiency = success; decisions are flexible and subject to revision • May lead to lack of trust from counterparts and slow implementation (consensual style = rapid implementation) • Historical conditioning in a young culture mandates experimentation and innovation • High tolerance for risk stems from an opportunity ethos and a notion of abundance • Spontaneity and improvising encourages creativity, intuition, and confidence • Failure can be instructive and lead to breakthroughs • “Analysis paralysis” is a source of frustration
- 54. aet 6. Trusting • US: Task-based cognitive trust > achievement • Relationship affective trust > closeness • US teams based on situational trust > established by objective • Marked mobility creates turnover, minimizing time spent on building relationships • Emphasis on efficiency and contracts • May be seen as a lack of sincerity and loyalty • Longterm projects may be jeopardized by frequent change of management/missions
- 55. aet 7. Disagreeing • Approach issues openly and directly but by using polite language and qualifiers/downgrade terms > high courtesy • “Agree to disagree” • Avoid getting upset or personal: Americans are less expressive than many cultures • Saving face is of less concern to the American, who will easily disagree with superiors when input is welcome
- 56. aet 8. Scheduling • US > a controlled-timed, mono-chronic, short-term society—always do what’s next! • Scheduling can be in terms of minutes • Being on time for appointments is expected • Consistently meeting deadlines is rewarded • Be decisive: any decision is better than no decision • Get to the point quickly with minimal backstory in meetings and presentations • Time is money
- 57. aet Meetings and Conf Calls • Could this meeting be an email? • Has everyone done their needed prep? • Distribute a precise agenda—with suggested timing of items—to potential attendees so they can decide whether their presence is needed • Disagree openly—honesty is essential • Start and end on time; stay on topic and be concise; give options for follow up and further discussion; reach a conclusion • Americans often follow up with an email summary—this is not a sign of mistrust
- 58. aet Strategies for Americans on Intercultural Teams • Communicating: allow for silence; listen carefully; direct may be rude • Evaluating: check that your message was completely understood • Persuading: appeal to broader, more nuanced concepts • Leading: be culturally attuned to each individual’s style • Deciding: factor in lag time for more careful consideration from colleagues • Trusting: connect on a deeper level with colleagues, even by email • Disagreeing: adapt your style based on culture—less or more direct • Scheduling: respect other approaches to time management
- 59. aet 5. Living in the US • UPS leaves packages on door steps • Americans give their ATM cards to bartenders • Alternate merge keeps road rage to a minimum • With 3000 miles of land, Las Vegas, Disney, beaches, and family members widespread, we don’t all need passports • And yes, everything is BIG
- 60. aet Shopping • There’s a sale for every possible occasion • Grocery stores advertise their specials in their circulars • A Costco membership is worth it for a family with kids • Outlet shopping is available in every direction • Coupons and reward points make a difference • Beware state sales tax —7% in NJ—on everything but clothes and groceries Never buy anything at full price!
- 61. aet The Whys and Hows of Tipping: a quirky custom
- 62. aet A year of Holidays!
- 63. aet The Jersey Shore, cherry blossoms in Newark, the island of Manhattan: this is your new “backyard”!
- 64. aet The Accompanying Spouse—Your Agenda for Success • Communicating • Third Culture children • School involvement • Networking • Resources and groups • Resume vs. CV • LinkedIn profile • Portable career
- 65. aet Your Personal Action Plan • Social Security, drivers license, transportation, local services • Medical, security, safety • Cell phone/cable/internet provider • Back to school • Networking, expat organizations, support, community groups • Identify major challenges and list action steps learned from today’s program
- 66. aet Have your goals been achieved today? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
- 67. aet Hugh Evans started a movement that mobilizes "global citizens”, people who self-identify first and foremost not as members of a state, nation, or tribe but as members of the human race. What does it mean to be a citizen of the world? TED
- 68. aet
Notes de l'éditeur
- “Culture hides more than what it reveals, and strangely enough, what it hides, it hides most effectively from its own participants.” Edward Hall, The Silent Language
- What are some “popular” stereotypes of Americans from people of your culture? What are some “popular” American stereotypes of people from your culture?
- Stereotypes vs. generalizations; cultural lenses and competence
- NE: live to work vs. rural SOUTH: overtly bible belt, southern hospitality, conservative MW: bread basket, curious, patient,conservative SW: quality of life, artistic, harmony with nature, native and hispanic; NW: high-tech; live and let live progressive, protective of life style.
- The invasion of the American West by white settlers was triggered by a massive immigration of Scotch-Irish, who were fleeing the bad harvests, high rents, and suppression of Presbyterianism in Northern Ireland. Hardship and the constant dangers of the frontier made them stern, violent, clannish, and fiercely independent. Their greatest resources were their endurance, labor, and ingenuity.Their slice of land was not so much wealth as dignity. Daniel Boone, a heroic deerslayer and Indian killer, became the uncrowned king.
- America could not survive without the west. From 1841to 1846, nearly 5 million people, mostly German and Irish immigrants, had packed into the eastern cities, creating just the kind of problems the founding fathers had feared.
- Garage bands and land of start ups
- Levels of education; cost; practical
- National Rifle Association and the 2nd Amendment: The Right to Bear Arms Aurora, Fort Hood, Edmond, San Bernadino, San Isidro, Sandy Hook, Blacksburg, Orlando
- How to understand and be understood: prosody
- /uh/ /th/ /d/ vs. /t/ : would’ve, could’ve, should’ve to capture meaning: gonna, gotta, wanna, lemme jus’ to recognize past tense: when dja = when did you
- Corporate Social ResponsibilityHelp all participants recognize the complexity of working in a cross-cultural environment Establish that assumptions and practices vary dramatically from one cultural environment to another Identify and develop strategies for maximizing success when working in a cross-cultural environment
- principles: dialectic method; thesis, antithesis, synthesis
- Define “downgrade terms”; the “daddy voice”; lingo
- facial expressions and gestures
- When giving negative feedback consider not only how many upgraders or downgraders you are using, but also whether to wrap positive feedback around negative feedback. Although Americans are stereotyped around the world for their directness, if you give negative feedback in the U.S. by launching into the criticism (as would be common in countries like Russia), you may find that your American counterpart is anything but receptive. You’ll have better luck if you explicitly state something that you appreciate about the person or the situation before moving onto what you’d like that person to do differently. In addition, try over time to be balanced in the amount of positive and negative feedback you give. If you notice something positive your colleague has done, say it there and then, with explicit appreciation. Then, if you need to criticise them later, your comments are more likely to be heard and considered rather than rejected out-of-hand. PERQUISITES: PROMOTIONS, TRAINING OPP, RAISES PARKING, EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
- dialectic: thesis, antithesis, synthesis based on case studies and precedents
- Egalitarian/individualist (particulalist) Yankee independence delegate team decision making low power distance such as elaborate procedures or excessive testing ; accept own limitations —rise of Corporate Coaching with organizational culture Spearhead Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
- "Oh, how I hate the American tipping custom," laments a New Zealand businessman on traveller.com. "I just hope Americans can be understanding of foreigners who either don't know or understand the system, or simply don't have small denomination cash on them.” "I think it's awful that these people have to rely on tipping to make a decent wage," posts a VirtualTourist international traveler in New York City. "We will tip the expected amount, of course, but I just feel it's a lot to add onto our bills."
- Page #:
- List of local places to visit and activities to enjoy
- “STUDS” ([Male] Spouses Trailing Under Duress Successfully), or “STARS’”(Spouses Traveling and Relocating Successfully)