British And American Cultur - tài liệu tham khảo | Đại học Hoa Sen

Faculty of Foreign Languages
Subject: British and American Culture -- --  PORTF OLIO
British And American Culture Lecturer
: Nguyễn Phạm Duy Anh Student
: Nguyễn Ngọc Quỳnh Như Student ID : 22115946 MULTICULTURAL IN THE WORKPLACE
Culture is considered to be the underlying values
that direct how people behave. Cultural diversity in the
workplace is a result of the practices, values, traditions,
or beliefs of employees based on race, age, ethnicity,
religion, or gender. Economic globalization is one of
the driving forces of cultural diversity in the
workplace. The modern workforce is made up of
people of different genders, ages, ethnicity, religions, and nationalities.
Diversity in the workforce refers to specific groups of people who have typically
experienced discrimination. To help these employees overcome barriers at work, many
companies have created diversity and inclusion programs. When you think about
diversity, that can mean a lot of things. Here are just some of the different types of diversity in the workplace. Race :
The race is maybe one of the first things you think of when you think about diversity.
Employees of color have often faced challenges — getting hired, being accepted by
co-workers, and receiving fair compensation. Education :
Not everyone’s path to employment is the same. Having a mix of educational
backgrounds is a huge asset to an organization, but can also create conflict. Ethnicity :
As the workforce becomes more and more global, ethnic diversity might bring about
language barriers or cultural differences in how business is carried out. To address
this, some companies have specialist ethnic groups like the Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce for under-represented communities. Generations : 1
Yes, age counts as diversity. Generation X, millennials, and Gen Z are some of
the different generations that make up a diverse workforce. And each group has
different expectations and experiences they bring with them to work. For
example, millennials are known for seeking flexibility in their work and doing jobs
that align with their personal values. That wasn’t something Gen X focused on when they joined the workforce. Gender :
According to the World Economic Forum, it will take 208 years to reach gender
equality in the U.S. Cultural diversity in the workplace also applies to gender. And
gender doesn’t have to be binary, which is a new way of thinking for many organizations. Religion :
Religious diversity can impact your staff’s dress, dietary requirements, and request for particular days off. Sexual Orientation :
The LGBTQI community is made up of distinct groups who have unique needs and
experiences. Companies need to bear this in mind when creating LGBTQI strategies
in order to address this group’s needs. Additionally, new laws are being created to
protect the rights of these groups. For example, in the United States, the Supreme
Court recently ruled that the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits sex
discrimination, applies to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Workers with disabilities :
Diversity in the workplace also applies to workers with disabilities. Whether
impairments from vision, learning, or mental health, diversity comes in many ways.
As a result, companies need to ensure that their diversity and inclusion programs
recognize and make provisions for the wide spectrum of disabilities. Military veterans :
The Department of Labor specifies targets for
contractors and federal agencies in terms of 2
employing military veterans. Although veterans generally have many transferable
skills, like teamwork and strong discipline, they may need a company’s assistance in
transitioning from a military environment to a workplace.
https://www.deputy.com/blog/the-importance-of-cultural-diversity-in-the-workplace 3 AMERICAN VALUES
American values are ideas and practices important to people in the United States. Each
country has values that help shape how people live in that country and their laws.
Individual people have their own values that may be different.
Independence and self-reliance
Americans value their freedom to live their lives with limited intervention and control by
the government. This comes from the Declaration of Independence. Various freedoms are
also guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, such as the first amendments rights to free speech and the practice of religion.
This sense of independence motivates the importance of self-determination. Americans
are very proud of being self-reliant and able to take care of themselves. They tend to think
others should be self-reliant as well. Equality
The U.S. Declaration of Independence states, “all men are created equal.” American
equality is based upon this quote. It has influenced the way men and women are treated in
the United States. In the USA, all people should receive equal treatment and equal opportunities.
No one should discriminate against you based on:  Gender  Race  Ethnicity  Religion  Age  Disability  Sexual orientation Individualism
Individualism allows you to do what you want as long as you don’t affect other people’s
rights. Americans should be free to make their own decisions and control their own lives.
Americans like to express themselves and don’t feel obligated to agree with others. They want to be seen as unique. 4 Privacy
Americans value privacy and their own space. Many Americans like to have time to
themselves away from others. They may be private about certain topics such as their age, salary, or where they live. Democracy
Americans value the power of democracy. Democracy is a way of government in which
the people vote to decide their leaders and laws. Americans can express their opinions
during elections. You must be 18 and, in most states, a U.S. citizen to vote. Nationalism
The majority of Americans are proud of their country. Many feel patriotic and believe the
United States is the best country to live in. Americans appreciate the rights they have.
Many take pride in the United States being a strong and influential country. Work ethic and merit
Americans believe you achieve success and merit through hard work, effort, and talent.
Merit is a good quality that makes someone deserve praise. Americans value people
that reach their goals without outside influences, such as money or family name. Directness
Americans are often very direct. This means they will tell you what they think and be firm
about what they want. Being direct is generally seen as honest and practical. When people
use a direct approach in their conversations, they are trying to be clear and precise. Innovation
Coming up with new ideas and new ways of doing things is valued in America.
Americans like to look ahead, improve things, and be ready for the future. There is a
preference for things to be quick and easy. Making things efficient is important. Consumerism
Shopping and buying new things is common in American society. It is a big part of the
U.S. economy. Americans frequently get new clothes, electronics, and other items. There 5
are many places to shop in person and online. The majority of Americans have a car and
own a home. For some, owning a lot of nice things is a sign of success. Informality
American society is often informal and relaxed. There are not a lot of rules and
restrictions for correct behavior. There is no formal hierarchy where some people must be
treated as more important than others. People with certain jobs, wealth, or education
might still be treated with more respect. Time and efficiency
Americans place a lot of value on their time. Some Americans plan out their time
carefully, using calendars for their personal and work lives. Americans may feel frustrated
if they think someone or something has wasted their time.
The famous saying “time is money” describes how Americans like to use their time
“efficiently.” They want to get the most done in the shortest amount of time.
https://usahello.org/life-in-usa/culture/american-values/ 6 COMUNICATION CULTURE
1. Pay attention to nonverbal communication
Nonverbal communication uses the body to share feelings. This includes body language
such as facial expressions, eye contact, posture, and gestures. It can also help you express
yourself, especially if your English is limited.
Listen to the tone of voice. Be aware of your own tone too.
Make eye contact. It shows respect and interest in what the other person is saying. If you
make eye contact with a stranger, it is polite to say “hi,” smile, or nod.
Watch and use gestures. These can express certain ideas and feelings. Some common gestures in the U.S. include:
 Smiling frequently is a way to be polite and show warmth.
 Waving a hand is a way to greet or say hello and goodbye.
 Nodding your head up and down is a way to say yes.
 Shaking your head from side to side is a way to no.
 Putting your hand facing out is a way to say stop.
 Leaning forward is a way to show interest.
 Putting your thumb up is a way to show approval.
 Crossing your arms is a way to show discomfort.
 High-fiving (slapping your raised hand with the other person’s raised hand) is
another way to greet someone or show excitement.
Be prepared to properly greet someone. Both men and women who don’t know each
other usually shake hands when meeting. Family and friends often will hug or kiss when 7
they first see each other and say goodbye. It’s okay if you are not comfortable with
physical contact. You can choose to place a hand on your heart and smile instead.
Give people personal space. Americans tend to prefer a large amount of personal space,
about arm’s length, between people in social settings. Families and friends may stand
closer to each other. People may step back or lean away if they feel that someone is
standing too close to them. Pay attention to their facial expressions and body language to
understand their comfort levels.
Know that silence can be uneasy for Americans. People sometimes feel awkward or
uncomfortable when there are long moments of silence during conversations. A smile or calm body language can help. 2. Be direct and clear
Many Americans value direct communication to avoid misunderstandings. Direct
communication is when people express messages clearly in spoken or written words.
They share their intentions and feelings openly.
People will get straight to the point and freely share their opinions. Some areas of the
country have more direct communication styles than others. Some people may prefer less
direct communication when sharing negative or conflicting information.
To be direct, try expressing your thoughts in fewer words. Make your message clear. Consider: -
What do you want to say? -
Why do you want to say it? -
Who do you want to say it to? -
How can you best say it?
3. Know when to speak casually and formally
Americans also tend to communicate informally in everyday conversations. They will use
first names and slang or colloquial terms even with people they do not know well.
Colloquial terms are informal words or expressions used in a familiar conversation. For
example, some Americans say “gonna” instead of “going to” or say “y’all” instead of
“you all” when talking to two or more people.
Some people may speak more formally in certain settings, including in the workplace and in meetings. 8 4. Try small talk
Small talk is when you have polite conversations about unimportant topics such as the
weather, sports, food, books, and movies. Small talk topics help you have conversations
with people you don’t know. You can ask a simple question like “How about this weather?” 5. Ask questions
It can be difficult to understand people in certain situations. It is important to speak up
and ask for better explanations so you are not confused. You can ask people to repeat what
they said or say it in a different way. People may assume you understand or agree with
them if you do not ask questions.
6. Be an active listener
Active listening is important to understanding and communicating with people. Smile or
nod, make eye contact, and lean in to show that you are listening. Pay close attention to their body language.
Restate what you hear and ask open-ended questions that require answers beyond “yes” or
“no”. Asking open-ended questions is a way to get more information.
7. Learn common expressions
Take some time to learn common expressions in American culture.
 Please is a polite way of asking for something.
 Thank you is a simple way to show appreciation.
 I’m sorry is a way to apologize or express sadness. It can also be another way to politely say no.
 Excuse me is a way to get someone’s attention or move around them.
Some common expressions don’t actually mean what you might think they do:
 What’s up is a way to ask someone how they’re doing.
 Under the weather means someone feels unwell.
 It’s not rocket science means something is not hard to understand.
 Piece of cake means something is easy to do. 9 8. Explore humor
Humor is heavily based on culture and can be hard to understand when you are new.
Locals may not understand a joke that you make. It’s okay to explain or ask what
something means. Speak up if you find a joke offensive.
9. Be careful with sensitive topics
Some topics can make people feel uncomfortable especially if they are personal. For
example, people may not want to talk about their age, weight, or income. Some questions
or comments on a particular topic can cause arguments and conflict.
If you don’t know how someone feels about a topic, check with them before you start a
conversation. In cases of conflict, talk about how you and the other person feels. Work
together to find a solution that you both agree with. 10. Be honest
It’s important to be honest about your emotions and feelings. If you feel uncomfortable,
misunderstood, or hurt, talk about it so you can make it right. It’s okay to set boundaries.
Don’t be afraid to say no to something you do not want to do.
https://usahello.org/life-in-usa/culture/communication/ 10