Delivered by the PAIE Program

Toronto Region Conservation Authority

Direct and prolonged contact with a culture different from one’s own usually causes feelings of excitement as well as anxiety, disorientation and identity loss

The Four Stages of Cultural Shock

1 - Euphoric/Honeymoon Stage

2 – Culture Shock Stage

3 – Integration Stage

4 – Acceptance Stage

Perception of time

Perception of space

Different cultural interpretations of common North American gestures

Director: “I expected your report last week…”

Kiran: “We are very sorry, but it is not ready yet.”

Director: “But the funders’ deadline is tomorrow and…”

Kiran: “We already had two community meetings and we feel that is will be necessary to meet again this weekend to get consensus, but we are making progress

Mrs. Clark: “Is the director there please?”

Kiran: “No, she is on holidays. She won’t be here until next week”

Mrs. Clark: “Who is in charge while she is away?”

Kiran: “I am”

Mrs. Clark: “Great! We need to know if we can go ahead and close the file on….”

Kiran: “Would you mind calling her next week about this?”

Christine: “I like your accent Kiran. Where are you from?”

Kiran: “I am from India”

Christine: “Oh, how nice!”

Kiran: “I’ve been here for a year, but my family is still there.”

Christine: “Really? By the way, your English is really good.”

Kiran: “Thank you. As I said, my whole family is still there and, I hope they can come soon because…..”

Christine: “Kiran, I can’t talk right now because I have a meeting at 2 o’ clock and I can’t be late”

Manager: “Based on what you have told me about client needs over the past several months, I think we should change out intake form.”

Worker: “But we have been using this form for years.”

Manager: “I think we can improve it by adding some items and deleting others.”

Worker: “But then we will have to change the way we do intakes.”

Manager: “Sometimes change is good. Let’s get started!”

Fazila: “Please tell me, what are these?”

ESL Teacher: “Loudspeakers”

Fazila: “WHAT ARE THESE?”

ESL Teacher: “Loudspeakers”

Fazila: (yelling) “WHAT ARE THESE?”

Treat all people at work as individuals

Respect personal names

Turn fear into curiosity

Avoid making generalizations

Be open

Never assume

Never play favourites or treat others unfairly

Notice the economic and social dividing lines in your workplace and community

Use acceptable terms for cultural groups

Avoid making judgements based on the accent, timing, or pace of someone’s speech

Laugh with people, not at them

Expect to have to explain cultural unwritten rules

For more information on scheduling Lunch & Learns through the PAIE program, contact one of our program coordinators