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All material ©2006 Initiatives of Change

Communicating Across Cultures

1. Be sensitive to different cultural ways of interacting with others. For instance, do they shake hands when they meet or not?

2. It is possible that for some reason that the person invited may not feel able to accept your invitation. However, he no doubt will appreciate having been invited. Just move on to someone else to invite.

3. Be careful not to raise false expectations in those you invite. This could be a one-time invitation, or it may lead to an ongoing friendship.

4. Be conscious of normal safety considerations and have a friend or family member present to share in the visit.

5. Be conscious of not stereotyping visitors, by making sweeping general statements about members of another race or religion.