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Customs, Words, Questions - Cultural Sensitivity
By Harriet Cochran Murrray • Cochran Real Estate - January 2009

If you are a U.S. citizen currently traveling through Mexico, Chile or Colombia, you might encounter a mild interrogation about anything from the United States' current political leadership and its policies in the Middle East. You might also hear a protest about a Mexican national being sentenced to death in the United States, or the United States controversial stand on the Kyoto Accord (an international agreement for legally binding commitments for the reduction of four greenhouse gases.)

US visitors or part time residents may feel these questions are irrelevant, and that no one should be held personally responsible for the actions of their government. It is not a good idea to become defensive about these questions. Perceptions are different among various nations, and there may be particular reasons for these personal and political questions. Not every culture compartmentalizes topics of conversation into business and social agendas.

The best recourse is to listen carefully to the questions or comments, and withhold judgments about the speaker's viewpoint. You never know why a person may be unhappy with United States policies. For example, even though the United States and Cuba have been at loggerheads for decades, Cubans are known for their consistent hospitality to visitors from the United States, despite the antagonism of the two governments. The recent issue of immigration between the US and Mexico, has offended many people on both sides, and has created awkward situations between Mexicans and Americans in business and social situations.

A word in one language has a different meaning in another:

Ford Motor Company experienced problems in Mexico, where its Caliente model car wasn't moving. Too late, they discovered that 'caliente' is Mexican slang for 'prostitute’.  Ford's light truck Fiera had a similar problem: In several Spanish-speaking countries, 'fiera' is slang for 'ugly old woman.'

Americano usually refers to anyone from North or South America. An American is a citizen of the United States of America.

Equivocado in Spanish means ”wrong”. Equivocate in English is to avoid committing oneself in what one says.

‘Pie’ is a part of the body, a foot in Spanish. ‘Pie’ in English is a dessert with a crust on top, such as apple pie.

Miscellaneous questions on Mexican history, culture:

1. The first European king to reign in the Americas was:

1. Larry King
2. John, ruler of the Empire of Brazil
3. Maximilian, ruler of the Empire of Mexico
4. Armand Assante, the Mambo King (cha-cha-cha!)

2. A distinguished Mexican executive hands you a business card that looks like this: Miguel Eduardo Cela y Banderas. You should call him:

1. Señor Eduardo
2. Señor Cela
3. Señor Banderas
4. Señor y

2. Your business card, which contains a great deal of red, draws peculiar looks from some international clients. This is because:

1. Buddhists write one's name in red when they are dead.
2. Some Mexicans find a name in red offensive.
3. Red is the color of mourning in parts of Africa.
4. All of the above

3. Never demonstrate how big -- or small -- anything is in Latin America by measuring the space between your two extended index fingers. There is only one part of the male anatomy to which that gesture refers. The correct way to illustrate length in Latin American countries is:

1. Hold one hand at the appropriate height from the floor.
2. Extend your right arm and measure from your fingertips to the correct distance
   up your arm with your left hand.
3. Whip out a measuring tape or slide rule.

4. Deciding on the world's tallest structure is problematical. Do you limit it to buildings or include TV towers? True or false: Although most of its height is under water, the MARS TLP oil drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico is taller than the world's tallest buildings.

5. The United States of America has expanded enormously from its original thirteen colonies. Some of this expansion came through war, some through sales. Match the purchase with the country that sold it to the United States.

1. Louisiana Purchase                         1. Mexico
2. Alaska                                            2. France
3. Gadsden Purchase                           3. Spain
4. Florida                                            4. Russia

6. The solar year, which reflects the approximately 365 days and six hours it takes for the earth to revolve around the sun, was made the basis of a calendar in 46 BC by:

1. The Aztecs
2. The Polynesians
3. The Romans

7. True or false: It is a social gaffe to arrive on time for a dinner party in Mexico City.

8. True or false: Most Mexicans do business with people they know, like, or are related.
                       
9. One of the most famous speeches ever given in Mexico is known as “El Grito de Dolores” (cry from Dolores). This 1810 speech was:

1. Pancho Villa's cry of defiance toward the United States
2. A sermon for Mexican independence
3. The last words of rebel Emiliano Zapata

10. Match the taste treat with its country:

1. Kidney pie                            1. Mexico
2. Haggis (sheep entrails)          2.Oman
3. Grasshoppers                        3. England
4. Sheep’s eyes                         4. Scotland

• “Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands” by Terri Morrison and Wayne A. Conaway was the source for some of this material. I recommend you purchase a copy of this book if you want to learn more about cultural differences. Email to a friend

Harriet Murray
E-mail: harriet@casasandvillas.com

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