There are cultural differences that affect all of us. Some of us accept others and some of us don't Part of event planning is being able to identify the cultural differences and use etiquette or manners to identify, help, get the client or the customer through the event of their life.
What to say and when to say it can be the best weapon you have in the fight to have the best day of your life at whatever event you are attending planning. An event planner who is sensitive to the needs of her clients is an event planner worth every penny.
Affection is one of those that each culture is sensitive about. For example one culture it is totally acceptable to show affection, (hugs and kisses) where another culture it is not. The difficult pare it when within the culture it varies between individual. For example the stereotype of the latin women who shows affection to everyone, because they are kind. In the Japanese culture greeting someone is not always acceptable. A handshake is more a sign of respect and affection.
Acceptable affections is a multicultural acknowledgement. Workplace affections: What is acceptable in the workplace.
1. Greeting: Meeting the person you know acknowledgment of their presence with a handshake. Greeting.
Hello Mr.... or Mrs....... It is a pleasure to see you again.
2. Time: Punctuality is the second most reason why companies fire an individual. Be on time.
3. Alcohol Use: When there are alcohol at an event attending. Have a glass of your favorite drink, but limit yourself to drinking another beverage to stay sober. No one likes a drink. They might be the life of the party at the event, however the next day they will be the gossip of the office.
4. Gifts: Bringing gifts to the event your attending. This is one you should take the time to find out if it is acceptable or necessary. Some host may feel the gift is a sign of your generosity, while other feel it is a bribe. "As your host if they have a special organization they would like an money donated to or if there is something special you can bring to the event." If they say no thank you. Then accept it as sincere. If you are uncomfortable with this then purchase the gift and tell your host, I know you told me not to but it is my tradition and way to say thank you for the invitation and thinking of me.
5. Color: There is difference in color used as well. A company in the United States may use a yellow tag on the product, however when they ship the product to a company in China it makes them instantly specious.
6. Food: Food each culture has food associated with them. Some cultures you are brave when trying out their food that may be strange or look different. Other cultures see it as peace offering. I remember at my wedding I had a very American wedding, however we had to offer one thing that was of my culture, as a respect to my parent. Business is the same way it is about the person you are attending the event for. Also their are culture food noises is acceptable and a way of showing the person the food is delicious! Americans tend to judge the person making the noises as not having manner, it is the opposite for some cultures.
7. Clothing: This too can be cultural. One culture can find a business suit very appropriate for all occasions, Americans tend to dress up or down depending on the event they are invited to. For example: To one person they may attend church in shorts and t-shirt, another person may love dressing up or more formal to make it a special time.
8. It is important to know yourself what is acceptable to you as a human being, what you can accept, how you can relate to others, by respecting the differences and honoring their culture.
Referenced: Multicultural Manners Essential for Etiquette for the 21st Century
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