Do you notice coworkers having different cultural ways of interacting at work?

Because I need a new poll in my life instead of thinking about various cultural differences I encounter. Often=more than monthly

  • Yes, often - I’m in the US
  • Yes, but not very often - I’m in the US
  • No - I’m in the US
  • Yes, often - I’m outside the US
  • Yes, but not very often - I’m outside the US
  • No - I’m outside the US
0 voters

This needs some definition for any reasonable answer, imo.

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Poll: FAIL

No answer for: 42 ways.

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Different than what? And what do you mean by “cultural ways”?

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If you have to ask the answer is more likely to be no.

But I mean stuff like what I got from the AI overview when I googled “cultural differences at work”

  1. Communication Styles:
  • Direct vs. Indirect:

Some cultures prefer direct and explicit communication, while others value indirect and nuanced communication.

  • Verbal vs. Non-Verbal:

Non-verbal cues like body language, tone of voice, and gestures can have different meanings across cultures, potentially leading to misunderstandings.

  • Language Barriers:

Language differences can create significant communication barriers, requiring careful attention to ensure everyone understands the message.

  1. Work Ethics and Values:
  • Hierarchy and Authority:

Different cultures have varying levels of respect for hierarchy and authority figures, which can impact how team members interact and make decisions.

  • Time Orientation:

Some cultures prioritize punctuality and efficiency, while others are more flexible and less focused on tight schedules.

  • Work-Life Balance:

Different cultures have varying expectations and priorities regarding work-life balance.

  1. Conflict Resolution:
  • Open Confrontation vs. Avoidance:

Some cultures are comfortable with open and direct confrontation to resolve conflict, while others prefer indirect approaches and conflict avoidance.

  • Focus on Relationship vs. Outcome:

Some cultures prioritize maintaining relationships and harmony during conflict, even if it means compromising on outcomes, while others are more focused on achieving specific results.

AI sucks. Please make a note of it.

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good example of open and direct confrontation to resolve conflict

Nothing to do with my “culture,” though. My brother is very nuanced, for example, raised in the same “culture” as I was.
But I’m guessing this is more about “other” “cultures” than the “American” “one.” I think there are stand-up routines that touch on this from about 50 years ago.

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I sense you don’t agree with the above, but I don’t think the summary is too arguable. It’s similar to what a lot of studies have shown.

And I’m sure some of this is personality, but maybe in a different culture you would have learned to express those parts of your personality less.

I don’t know what you mean by culture.

When I say “culture” I can mean “team culture” or “style” or “differences due to regional or geographic background.”

My boss is from NYC. We have a lot of cultural differences. Another colleague is from a different industry than mine; we have noticeable differences in how we communicate and what we want out of our colleagues socially. So, yes, but hard to pinpoint what you’re getting at.

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Cool. Use those as sources instead. I’m not sure that is what AI cherry-picked, and neither do you.

Maybe. I guess we’ll never know, and this survey won’t help find the answer, either.
I have different “personalities” – ways I act – for different situations.

I’m an actuary, so no I do not notice.

However, I am confident* that my coworkers do not have cultural ways.

*p < 0.05

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What about their shoes? Anything culturally different about the way they move their shoes?

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Those are shoes.

(p < 0.01)

Ah, an introvert! Must be something cultural.

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I thought it gave a decent summary of the main ideas in this case. AI is fine so long as you vet its output. I dislike that Google has replaced their search output largely with an AI thing that isn’t very accurate. But there are lots of good uses for AI, and Young actuary who doesn’t learn how to use it is likely to be in employment trouble in a few years.

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We didn’t have any culture where I grew up. We had to go to Thailand for that. The place is full of culture.

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I meant regional or geographic

Then the answer is “yeah, duh”. :smile: Oh wait. That wasn’t a category.

There a a few people who message me on Teams with just a “Hi IPD” or “Good Morning!” and wait for me to respond before asking their question. At first I was hesitant to engage but it’s just differences in the office.