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Multicultural Moments - a periodic newsletter ezine with brief items of note on our multicultural lives.

(Newsletter #12.01.06)

Greetings to all our readers! 

Touching Value

Having been raised in America's Midwest, I was struck by a recent article on the value of physical touching.  In the conservative community of my youth, people did not touch each other...similar to what I have learned is common in many Asian and Anglo societies.  Touching was appropriate only if on intimate terms with a person, such as in families and with close friends and—even then—with limits.  When I lived in Europe I observed that other societies (particularly Italian, French, Hispanic and some Middle Eastern) touched each other much more often to express their feelings.  Since my return to the States I've noticed, too, that friends and associates from other countries are much more likely to embrace.  Now, new research from the University of Missouri-Columbia has demonstrated that touching is good for you...even the simple act of petting an animal "releases a cascade of feel-good hormones in humans, including serotonin and oxytocin."  Culture seems to be the culprit, according to Janet Kahn, Ph.D., a medical sociologist at the University of Vermont:  "We live in a tactophobic culture, one that is very low-touch compared with many others....Our skin is our largest sense organ, and we ignore it incredibly in this culture."  So, go out and get a massage or hug a friend...you'll feel better!
    (Reference: AARP Magazine, January/February 2006)
   
Multicultural Branding

Business people are advised to create and build their brand image.  Recently experts advised  America's business community on cross-cultural branding, with Japan as an example.  Japan's leading business newspaper, The Nikkei, sponsored a seminar on the topic and here were some of the experts' recommendations:

• Initially, co-brand with existing local distributors—they are already known.  Advertise through local media and ads in buyers' markets.  Then, aggressively develop media relations, including radio & TV.  Finally, when known by the professional community, create a master slogan to develop consumer awareness.  The Hartford
• Companies successful overseas are those that appoint local companies to develop a culturally correct and sensitive campaign. Philip Sievers, Publicis Groupe
• There must be trust in the product, and commitment to the market.  Companies must demonstrate these to those in the new marketplace. Johny K. Johansson, Georgetown University

"Knowing your audience" is key in all successful ventures.  As speaker, trainer and consultant, we continually strive to demonstrate through our work and products how we understand those in our marketplace and can provide what will help them in their own environments. 
        (Reference:  Wall Street Journal, December 14, 2005)

Being Bicultural

"A bicultural upbringing is a rich but imperfect thing," so says Pulitzer-winning writer Jhumpa Lahiri.  Many second or third-generation children of immigrants would empathize with that statement.  Lahiri describes her life of transitions, beginning with her early years as the child of Indian parents growing up in Rhode Island (when she felt extreme pressure to be loyal to the old world and fluent in the new).  As she grew and developed she constantly worked at coming to terms with the often conflicting standards of her parents' world and the American one in which she was living.  Only now has she found the term "Indian-American" to be generally accepted, without explanation.  As she approaches middle-age she has concluded:  "The immigrant's journey, no matter how ultimately rewarding, is founded on departure and deprivation, but it secures for the subsequent generation a sense of arrival and advantage." 
       (Reference:  Newsweek, March 6, 2006)

Women's Spirit

The recent celebration of International Women's Day brought to our attention an anthology of contributions from young women all over the world (Imagining Ourselves, New World Library).  The energy and aspirations of 105 young women from 57 countries are captured complete with illustrations, giving rise to increasing hope for them and their peers worldwide.  These optimistic views mirror examples in my own encounters, from a beautiful young Muslim chemist raised in the Netherlands, to a lovely African-American speech teacher, to a gracious Filipino caregiver, to a Polish entrepreneur, etc...all express optimism through hard work and loving attitudes toward those around them.  There are still many societies that suppress female initiatives but, like a billowing balloon squeezed at one point, their irrepressible spirit will pop out in another place.  Such is the gift of life...and let it flourish.
     (Reference: Chicago Tribune, March 8, 2006)

Age Advances

Do you have trouble estimating how old people are by their appearance?  When I think back about how people over age 50 looked when I was a child, I'm amazed at the change.  Now an 80-year old can pass for 60, etc.  Medical advances, coupled with improved diet and exercise practices, have resulted in a large over-50 population that is raring to go!  The impact of such demographic advances is being felt throughout society, including the workplace (companies are often reluctant to lose that education and experience).  While the exuberance and ingenuity of youth are still welcome, we are learning to join these forces to create an ever more inclusive world where everyone's abilities are valued.  Together, a stronger more vital society can emerge to meet the increasing challenges of life in the 21st Century.
    (Reference:  Parade, March 19, 2006; HR Magazine, February 2006.)

Let us hear from you!

Judith Starkey
Multicultural  Strategies                
Keynotes-Seminars-Training-Consulting-Coaching-Products

"He who loses wealth loses much; he who loses a friend loses more; but he that loses his courage loses all."
Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote

We welcome your comments.  Let us know what additional topics you would like to see addressed and if you know someone who might also be interested…we’ll contact them promptly.

Copyright © 2006 The Starkey Group, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.  Originally published March 2006.

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