Diversity by Gene Griessman
I believe that diversity is a part of the natural order of things - as natural as the trillion shapes and shades of the flowers of spring or the leaves of autumn.
I believe that diversity brings new solutions to an ever-changing environment, and that sameness is not only uninteresting but limiting.
To deny diversity is to deny life - with its richness and manifold opportunities. Thus I affirm my citizenship in a world of diversity, and with it the responsibility too!
Be tolerant. Live and let live. Understand that those who cause no harm should not be feared, ridiculed, or harmed - even if they are different.
Look for the best in others.
Be just in my dealings with poor and rich, weak and strong, and whenever possible to defend the young, the old, the frail, the defenseless.
Be kind, remembering how fragile the human spirit is.
Life the examined life, subjecting my motives and actions to the scrutiny of mind and heart so to rise above prejudice and hatred. Care.
Multicultural Manners
Meeting and interacting with people from other cultures is an exciting experience. The differences between cultures can be fascinating and can sometimes cause problems because of the particular cultural meaning of words, gestures, or actions. The following information is a quick read on some cultural differences. It is meant to encourage the reader to think about some of the everyday things we often do or say that can have tremendous cultural impact!
Think about it!
COLORS
In China, white, red, or black gifts are associated with funerals. Don't use red ink as a message written in red implies the severing of a relationship. The colors red, pink, and yellow are joyful colors.*
In Japan, the color white is associated with death.*
In the Indian sectors of Malaysia colors to avoid are white and black when giving gifts. Red, yellow, green, and all bright colors signify happiness.*
In Italy, red roses suggest romance and secrecy while yellow roses signify jealousy.*
In Armenia, giving yellow flowers to someone means that you hate them as the yellow flowers represent the enemy.**
Yellow has negative connotations for many people including Iranians, Peruvians, and Mexicans.**
Wearing white to an Indian wedding could bring bad luck, even death, to the wedding couple.**
In China, green hats are often associated with infidelity.**
BODY LANGUAGE
Many Asian people believe the head houses the soul and when another person touches their head, it places them in jeopardy.**
Gestures do not have universal meaning. In many parts of the world, thumbs-up is obscene.**
Pointing with the index finger is considered rude to many people outside the United States, particularly from Asian countries.**
People from many Asian, Latin American, and Caribbean cultures avoid eye contact as a sign of respect.**
When greeting, most people from France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, and other Mediterranean countries expect to be kissed on both cheeks.**
FOOD
In Java, food must be offered three times before guests can accept it.**
Hindu's don't eat beef.**
Navajos don't eat fish.**
Muslims and Jews don't eat pork.**
People from Arabic countries, parts of Africa, Sri Lanka, and certain parts of the Philippines often eat with their fingers from a common platter. **
People from Asian countries rarely set knives on the table. This goes back to a time when knives were primarily considered weapons.**
Many Asians and Saudi Arabians make eating noises to show their appreciation of the food. This is a compliment, not bad manners.**
LUCK AND SUPERNATURAL FORCES
Give an uneven number of flowers to Armenians on happy occasions.**
Red envelopes filled with money express two positive things to the Chinese: The red signifies good luck, and the money signifies prosperity.**
Just as many Americans believe that thirteen is unlucky, the Chinese have strong beliefs about the good and bad luck associated with particular numbers. Four is the most negative number, since its sound is the same as the word for death.**
Many cultures associate bad luck and death with specific numbers or number sequences.**
*Do's and Taboo's Around the World edited by Roger E. Axtell
**Multicultural Manners by Norrine Dresser