1. The man in uniform is talking loudly.

His face is inches from the face of the man he

is talking to.
Interpretation: In some cultures, speaking loudly and maintaining close proximity during a
conversation may be seen as aggressive or confrontational. People might interpret this behavior
as rude or disrespectful.
Alternative Explanation: The man in uniform might come from a culture where animated
conversations and close personal space are considered normal. It could be a reflection of
enthusiasm rather than aggression.
2. You are having a casual conversation with a co-worker. You ask if they would like
to help you complete a community project the boss has not endorsed. They are silent
for a few minutes, then slowly say yes.
Interpretation: Silence in response to a question might be interpreted as hesitation or reluctance.
The slow "yes" could be seen as a lack of enthusiasm or commitment.
Alternative Explanation: The co-worker might come from a culture where taking time to
consider a proposal is a sign of thoughtfulness and careful decision-making. The slow "yes"
could indicate that they are weighing the pros and cons before committing.
3. You supervise a newly hired African American employee. Whenever you explain
how to do things, this person avoids looking you in the eyes.
Interpretation: In some cultures, avoiding eye contact might be perceived as a lack of confidence,
respect, or honesty. People might interpret this behavior as disinterest or disrespect.
Alternative Explanation: In some cultures, avoiding direct eye contact is a sign of respect,
especially when interacting with authority figures. The employee might be showing deference
rather than disrespect.
4. Your new boss is Mexican American. When he calls you in to talk about upcoming
projects, he spends the first few minutes talking about your family and what you did
over the weekend. Then he finally gets to the point of the meeting.
Interpretation: In some cultures, spending time on personal topics before discussing business
might be seen as unprofessional or inefficient. People might interpret this behavior as a lack of
focus or seriousness.
Alternative Explanation: The boss might come from a culture where building personal
relationships is highly valued. Taking time for personal conversation could be a way to establish
rapport and trust before delving into work-related matters.
5. In your study group, you are each taking turns explaining one of the questions. One
of the students waits a couple of minutes before beginning his explanation.
Interpretation: Waiting before speaking might be interpreted as hesitation or lack of preparation.
Others might see this behavior as a lack of engagement or confidence.
Alternative Explanation: The student might come from a culture where taking a moment to
gather thoughts before speaking is considered thoughtful and respectful. The pause could be a
sign of consideration rather than a lack of readiness.