07-29-2014, 11:21 AM
I've used the term "Hawaii time" to mean "slower pace". I'm sure I've also slipped and said "Hawaiian time" once or twice in my life. In all cases my intentions were noble. But it doesn't matter.
These kinds of invisible culture gaps can wreak havoc on communication when two cultures collide, even with the best of intentions all around. (Too often such misunderstandings are misdiagnosed as "political correctness run amok.")
Cross-cultural expert Edward T. Hall sums up the cross-cultural communication process as such:
“The essence of cross-cultural communication has more to do with releasing responses than with sending messages. It is more important to release the right response than to send the right message.”
If I accept Hall's definition, then no matter what my good intentions were, if the listener is offended then I obviously didn't get my desired result, which means I didn't effectively communicate my message.
As someone who deals with a lot of different cultures, apologizing for unintended slights isn't a big deal. In my book it's much better to show respect and get along, than to take a defensive position. I'm happy to be "wrong" if I learn a new perspective and cultivate some empathy.
In short, I really had no idea "Hawaiian Time" was offensive, but glad that I know now. So my apologies to anyone I've offended past or present, and a big mahalo to Mimosa for setting me straight!
These kinds of invisible culture gaps can wreak havoc on communication when two cultures collide, even with the best of intentions all around. (Too often such misunderstandings are misdiagnosed as "political correctness run amok.")
Cross-cultural expert Edward T. Hall sums up the cross-cultural communication process as such:
“The essence of cross-cultural communication has more to do with releasing responses than with sending messages. It is more important to release the right response than to send the right message.”
If I accept Hall's definition, then no matter what my good intentions were, if the listener is offended then I obviously didn't get my desired result, which means I didn't effectively communicate my message.
As someone who deals with a lot of different cultures, apologizing for unintended slights isn't a big deal. In my book it's much better to show respect and get along, than to take a defensive position. I'm happy to be "wrong" if I learn a new perspective and cultivate some empathy.
In short, I really had no idea "Hawaiian Time" was offensive, but glad that I know now. So my apologies to anyone I've offended past or present, and a big mahalo to Mimosa for setting me straight!
Tim
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions--Confucius
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions--Confucius