What are the best ways to show respect for local work practices and customs?

1 Learn the basics

Before you start working abroad, it is essential to learn some basic information about the country, culture, and language of your destination. This will help you avoid cultural misunderstandings, communicate effectively, and show interest and appreciation for your host country. You can use online resources, books, podcasts, or courses to learn about the history, geography, politics, religion, values, etiquette, and norms of your destination. You can also learn some common phrases and greetings in the local language, which can make a positive impression and break the ice.

3 Adapt and adjust

Once you have observed and learned about the local work practices and customs, try to adapt and adjust your own style and behavior accordingly. This does not mean that you have to lose your identity or compromise your values, but rather that you respect and appreciate the differences and similarities between your culture and the host culture. For example, you can adapt your communication style, your dress code, your work schedule, your feedback style, and your social activities to match the local norms and expectations. You can also adjust your expectations and assumptions about the work outcomes and processes, and be flexible and open-minded to new ways of doing things.

4 Appreciate and acknowledge

Another way to show respect for local work practices and customs is to appreciate and acknowledge the contributions, achievements, and perspectives of your colleagues. You can express your gratitude, praise, and recognition for their work, their support, their ideas, and their insights. You can also show interest and empathy for their personal lives, their challenges, their goals, and their passions. You can appreciate and acknowledge your colleagues in various ways, such as giving compliments, saying thank you, giving gifts, inviting them for lunch or coffee, or sharing your own stories and experiences.

5 Learn and grow

Finally, working abroad is a great opportunity to learn and grow as a professional and as a person. You can show respect for local work practices and customs by being open to learning new skills, knowledge, and perspectives from your colleagues. You can also seek feedback, guidance, and advice from your colleagues on how to improve your performance, your relationships, and your cultural competence. You can also share your own skills, knowledge, and perspectives with your colleagues, and offer your feedback, guidance, and advice when appropriate. By learning and growing together, you can create a mutually beneficial and respectful work environment.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?