For starters, I am 1/8 Italian, and 7/8 Filipino. That's a little diverse. I married a German/Englishman...but his lineage has traced back to the mountain town of Glen Gardner, New Jersey, there is a street named after his mother's family. So he's more American Pie than anything. However, since I am primarily Filipino, doesn't me marrying an all-American-white-boy earn me bonus points in the "diversity" subject?
Being able to communicate well means communicating diversely. However, the diversity can include more than heritage. It includes accepting differences in politics, religion, music, fashion...just about anything debatable or worth conversation. There are also differences in communication styles between men and women, old and young and handicapped individuals. There are a lot of people who can be offended for various reasons, if one is not careful!
The latest communication obstacle I've overcome was when dealing with a young child. Last week, my family reunited in San Diego to celebrate a very big military achievement of my son. We rented a house for the family and close friends to stay at over the weekend. My best friend brought her 5-year-old son and because there was a young child present, all the adults has to "watch their language". We established a "swear jar" and how much one had to put in the jar was dependent on what swear word was said. At the end of the weekend, what was in the jar would go to my son.
This worked out well for Andrew who used the swear jar to his advantage by pushing everyone's buttons until he got that person to swear! Because there was alcohol involved and good humor involved, Andrew collected almost $75 that weekend!
Thus proving communication with diversity is important; in this case, not using swear words when in the company of a child because it is not only inappropriate, it's also expensive.
No comments:
Post a Comment