18 Jan 10 Tips for Expanding Your Understanding of Cultural Differences and Similarities (Part 2)
There are many ways to broaden your cultural knowledge, understand and appreciate cultural differences and similarities, and incorporate respect for cultural particulars in your meeting planning services.
Here are eight simple, fun ways to expand your multicultural knowledge base:
1. Dine in ethnic restaurants.
2. Research different cultures online.
3. Read books and magazines with cultural focuses that are different than your own.
4. Attend cultural events, such as Greek festivals, Asian art exhibits and Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) events.
5. Visit museums, monuments and exhibits that pertain to specific cultures.
6. Attend short courses, speaking engagements or seminars regarding cultural diversity or offering interesting information about particular cultures.
7. Get out of the tourist traps when traveling. Every trip you take is an opportunity to explore neighborhoods, markets and attractions that are popular with locals, rather than simply staying in areas that are teeming with tourists.
8. Buy ethnic cookbooks and have fun learning about new foods and cooking methods with your partner or family.
While you may begin this journey in an effort to expand your potential client base and enhance your meeting planning services, you will find that learning about other cultures and trying new foods and activities is also a personally fulfilling endeavor that will help you grow both personally and professionally.
Tags: Art Exhibits, Asian Art, Cooking Methods, Cultural Differences, Cultural Diversity, Day Of The Dead, De Los Muertos, Dia De Los Muertos, Different Cultures, Endeavor, Ethnic Cookbooks, Ethnic Restaurants, Fun Learning, Greek Festivals, Meeting Planning Services, Multicultural Knowledge, Museums Monuments, Particulars, Speaking Engagements, Tourist Traps
15 Jan 10 Expanding Your Knowledge of Cultural Differences and Similarities
Understanding and respecting cultural differences is an important part of planning successful meetings for diverse clients and companies, and ensuring that you do not commit unnecessary faux pas that could have been avoided. Having a basic understanding of the etiquette used in different cultures, dietary restrictions and preferences, and some of the interesting aspects that make each culture unique will assist you in planning effective, appropriate meetings and will certainly help you make a name for your business as a respectful, culturally-sensitive meeting planning service that goes the extra mile to ensure your events meet your clients’ needs.
Expanding your cultural horizons to broaden your understanding of various cultures will also make your job as a meeting planner easier. While you may not know everything there is to know about a specific diet, a particular rule of etiquette or which days are considered most auspicious for doing business, when you gain at least a basic understanding of different cultures, it will assist you in recognizing the kinds of questions to ask and the information and resources that can help you plan a great event. It also assists you in being respectful of possible cultural differences when communicating with clients and will make finding the resources you need quicker and easier.
Tags: Cultural Differences, Cultural Horizons, Diet, Dietary Restrictions, Different Cultures, Doing Business, Effective Meetings, Etiquette, Extra Mile, Information Resources, Job, Knowledge, Meeting Planner, Meeting Planning, Planning Service
13 Jan 10 Understanding the Importance of Food
Food is an important aspect of culture and tradition. Food is one way that families across cultures come together, particular foods are an important part of traditional and community celebrations, and dietary preferences or restrictions are often based on religious or cultural customs.
Therefore, as a meeting planner, understanding food and how it pertains to your potential clients is integral to establishing a culturally-sensitive meeting planning business and preparing yourself to be able to successfully and efficiently plan meals for your events without worrying about messing something up.
Learning about different diets and the foods that are important to different cultures is as simple as expanding your own palate and broadening your dietary horizons by exploring dishes you perhaps have never heard of. Of course, enjoying a delicious Indian meal will not tell you everything you need to know about Indian culture, but it is an important step towards understanding Indian cuisine and better understanding possible dietary requirements for your Indian clients.
Exploring unfamiliar foods and dishes will also be fun for you, and you might even find some new favorites that you have been missing out on.
Try these five fun activities to begin your journey into the diverse world of food:
1. Eat at ethnic restaurants.
2. Buy and use ethnic cookbooks.
3. Shop at ethnic grocery stores.
4. Attend cultural festivities and events.
5. Take a cooking class that focuses on foods from different cultures.
Tags: Community Celebrations, Cooking Class, Cultural Festivities, Dietary Preferences, Dietary Requirements, Different Cultures, Ethnic Cookbooks, Ethnic Grocery Stores, Ethnic Restaurants, Food Food, Fun Activities, Indian Clients, Indian Cuisine, Indian Culture, Meeting Planner, Meeting Planning, Palate, Plan Meals, Tradition Food, Unfamiliar Foods
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