Communication & Diversity

This week we are learning more about communication, especially as it relates to culture and diversity. We are all familiar with the golden rule: Do unto others as we would have them do unto us. However, this week I learned a new rule, called the platinum rule. The platinum rule states to treat others the way that THEY would like to be treated. This really made me think, because growing up with the golden rule, I had never thought of it that way before. What a great concept though! Not everyone would like to be treated the way that I am treated. Vegetarians would not want to be taken to dinner at a steakhouse to celebrate their birthday. Classical music fans would hate being given tickets to see Lady Gaga as a gift. When working with, and communicating with people of different cultures, we shouldn't treat them the way that we want to be treated, but the way that they would want to be treated.

So when thinking about my communication skills, I have to say that they are different depending on who I'm taking to and what background they are from. I believe it's important to have the skill set to change how we do things in order to accommodate others. For example, when families come into my school for a tour, I immediately introduce myself and shake their hand. From my studies about different cultures I know that individuals from the Middle East do not shake hands with their right hands. Therefore, I am aware of this fact and offer my left hand when I meet with them. I also understand that in many other cultures the women do not discuss money. So when speaking about tuition prices, while I speak to both parents, I give the written pricing information to the male figure because that makes them the most comfortable.

Overall, I think that it's important to be able to fully accommodate and welcome families and children of all cultures and backgrounds. Understanding different cultures and being aware of differences really helps to be able to communicate most effectively.