CULTURAL AWARENES Ray Alaniz, Coordinator of Family Services Migrant Education Regional Office

Interpersonal Communication Formality As a sign of courtesy, Spanish speakers use the words “señor” (Mr., sir), señorita (Miss), señora (Mrs., madam) or titles such as “doctor and professor”. These words are used with or without accompanying family names.

The concept of space The distance between two persons engaged in a conversation is culturally determined. People from the United States generally maintain a greater distance than do people from Hispanic cultures.

Polite and Friendly Gestures It is customary to shake hands when meeting or greeting someone. Greeting & introductions Handshake Is important even when arriving late to interrupting other business. Individuals state their own name.

Gender roles Machismo In Hispanic cultures, the male traditionally enjoys a dominant role over the female. He is expected to reflect self assurance, control, assertiveness responsibility and independence.

Shake hands with male first Begin conversations by focusing on the male head of the household, but do not fail to include all family members. Teen children often play an important role in family earning power. Provide complete information for the whole family. If only the male comes explain the need for both spouses to sign, when both incomes are considered.

Family Hispanic cultures have extended families in which extremely close ties exist between relatives. It is not at all unusual for aunts, uncles and grandparents to live within the same house.

Eating If it is offered-take it and compliment it. If you offer-continue to offer past initial refusals on part of guest. (3 invitations, give a regular serving). Tortillas/chips may be used in place of silverware at some meals. Non-”traditional” foods may be served for breakfast/lunch (etc.).

Eating… High value on home-cooking (usually the wife and daughters cook). Family may be less likely to eat out or use processed “pre-fab” foods) Common to roast a goat or pig (barbacoa) on special occasions. Chiles rellenos, pozole, cebiche (fish)

Dress Party dresses sign of respect Men may wear cowboy attire when “dressed-up.” (chain/knife cowboy outfit boots/big buckle/hat). Plan for “clean up” time after work. Family may or may not have dress clothes. Likely to be more informal and eclectic (perhaps more colorful) with dress up/ business clothes.

Body Language and Gestures May break eye contact to show respect. Voice tone softer with less variation/ expression.

Common gestures: “come” “money” “ojo” – watch out Height of a person/animal and thing “cheap” “so-so”

Humor No humor till “business” is over. Negotiation Personal relationship and trust – a handshake seals the deal. Need to look competent – might say, “Yes, I understand,” when they don’t in order to save face.

Negotiation Respect – if you must ask “personal” instead say. “we have found it is helpful to review to be sure we are clear. Then ask specific question. “Do you understand?” Be sure the customer understands that you are anxious to help. “Aquí estoy para servirle”

Negotiation Don’t use professional language to help yourself feel more comfortable. Your goal is to communicate with basic terms: InsureMake sure facilitatehelp incorporateadd, include finalize/concludefinish

Family names Given nameFather’s family nameMother’s family name DavidGomezMartinez In a Hispanic culture, a child takes the family name of the father followed by the family name of the mother. The Hispanic student becomes confused by school forms that ask for only one last name. It is essential to explain that the paternal family name is normally expected in English speaking culture.

Laura Martinez Rodriguez Laura Martinez de Gomez In the case of a woman, there is a change of family name at the time of marriage. The woman replaces the family of her mother with the paternal name of her husband preceded by the word “de”. As in the above example.

First Names It is not uncommon to meet an Hispanic person who has a compound first name. MENWOMEN José LuisMaría Luisa Marco AntonioAna María José RamónMaría de la Luz Juan JoséRosa María One name that seems to surprise persons not familiar with Hispanic traditions is “Jesus”. This name is quite common and does not imply any religious disrespect.

The concept of time In the United States time is conceived as a valuable commodity. The verbs “save, spend, and waste” are strongly associated with time. In Spanish “The clock walks” (i.e. El reloj camina) and in English “The clock runs.” EnglishMay 1, Spanish1 Mayo, The Date

English477 Nolasco Avenue SpanishAvenida Nolasco 477 Addresses Thelepone Numbers English Spanish Floors of a building In Hispanic cultures, the ground floor of a multi-story building is not counted in the numbering sequence of the floors. The “first floor” (primer piso) is directly above the ground floor.