Question:
Intercultural Competence
Review the situations below and indicate what you believe would be the interculturally competent way to handle each-or-have you ever been in a similar situation? Briefly explain what you would do and say and why.
Situation 1
You are in Turkey and have stayed with a family for three days. In your honor, the family has prepared a special dish for dinner. You ask what it is, and the host replies, "Pickled cow brains." This dish is considered a delicacy in Turkey and the custom is for everyone to have a small taste of the dish. What do you do and say?
Situation 2
You have just visited an Argentine home for a feliz cumpleanos fiesta (a birthday party). You notice that your Paraguayan friend goes up to everyone in the room, kisses each person on both cheeks, and says "Muchas gracias, hasta luego" and then thanks the group and leaves. Everyone looks at you now. What do you do? What do you say?