How to Integrate Expats into Your Company

Portrait of a young and attractive European woman working on her laptop computer as she sits in a plush red armchair in a coffee shop or office during the day illustrating the blog topic of How to Integrate Expats into Your Company

Did your company just welcome an expat to their team? Or are you about to send one of your top employees to another country to work there? Great! Acknowledging a person’s work without discriminating against nationality is one of the best things to do.

And sending one of your top employees to work in another country because they could help your company’s headquarter there is just as amazing. They’ll feel appreciated.

But we can’t just leave it at that. Hey, congrats on going away to work in a country, culture, and language you don’t know! No, no. We must support them to integrate into the company.

Otherwise, the feelings of confusion and being lost could lead them to underperform at their job or even go back to their country. And it won’t be because they’re weak, but maybe because they didn’t receive enough help to integrate into their new work life.

So, without further ado, check out these tips so you know how to integrate expats into your company.

Cultural Resources

Living in a new country is never easy. You come with your own values, ways of living, traditions, ways of communicating and speaking to others, and ways of working. All of which are normal and right things in your country of origin.

But when you go to live and work in a new one, all of these things could change. Maybe they have different ways of working, of expressing their needs, questions, and ideas to others, and overall different ways of living.

This can be challenging if you’re not prepared for it. And even when you’re prepared you might still experience some cultural shocks, but you’ll know how to handle them easier.

So, a great thing the company can do for the employee they’re relocating is provide them with resources that explain the life and work culture of the country they’re going to. The employee will value that a lot, and you’ll truly help them adapt.

The company and boss of the new country they’re in, should also do this. They know more of the culture since they’re probably natives or expats themselves. So they can help their new employee with any huge cultural shock and integrate better to the work environment.

But what are these resources? It could be books, guides, YouTube videos, courses about the culture they’re getting in, and courses about being an expat.

Expectations

One of the first things you must do if you’re sending an employee to a new country is make your expectations clear. What do you expect from their work there? What’s going to be their work there, is it the same as in their home country or is it different? Which results do you expect from them? And any other matter you find important.

Don’t forget to ask them about their expectations as an expat and employee. It’s also important to hear what they want, need and expect.

This way you will all be on the same page and there will be no confusion or misunderstandings as to what you all look for and hope for. This will make the whole relocation process and the stay smoother.

These expectations should also be discussed with the boss of the company in their new country.

Talk to a Local

Another great help would be to talk to a native person of the country your employee is going to. Or talking to someone that already lived the process of being an expat in that country.

These people could show the new expat employee a lot about their new residence and even more about the work life there. What is the right way to talk in a business environment? What’s right to do and what’s disrespectful? What’s usually the work schedule? And any other question the expat might have.

Most importantly, locals that work in the same company as the new expat can introduce them to other coworkers. This way, they’ll start making new friends and some networking as well; they’ll pave their way into their new job.

This step can be done before going away, but even more so after arriving in your new country and workplace.

Implement an Expat Program

The company of the country the expat is arriving to could implement an expat program for all multicultural people working there. This program should be led by experts in related fields, such as relocation, diversity, cultural awareness, languages…

This way, they could help the expats adapt as best as possible. They could introduce them to the company and lifestyle.

But the program wouldn’t stop there. It could be there for whenever the employees needed them. After all, the process of adapting and integrating doesn’t end in the first few days. There might be issues and doubts that come up later, as they discover life and the work culture.

Expats could go to the leaders of the program whenever they have any problem, question, or cultural struggle.

Giving the families of the expats the opportunity to benefit in any way from this program could be favorable for everyone. Because foreign employees also need their loved ones to adapt to their new life and feel comfortable. If their families are fine, they’ll feel better working and living there.

Cultural Awareness and Cultural Sensitivity Talks

A huge part of an expat integration is the people that surround them. At work, that would be their direct boss and bosses from other areas, as well as their coworkers. If these people are culturally sensitive, the foreign workers will feel welcomed and appreciated.

There will also be less discrimination, and the overall environment will be positive.

That’s why it’s crucial for your company to host cultural awareness and cultural sensitivity talks and courses with professionals. All the employees and the bosses must go to these talks. They can be during work hours. So the people that compose your workforce become kinder and are respectful to other cultures and to expats.

Language Training

Last but not least, language training! This is one of the most important things you can do for your expatriate employees.

Now, chances are that if you chose a foreign person to relocate or to add to your workforce, they’re already bilingual. They probably already know the language of the country they’re going to work in. But the truth is that even though that can be true, they might still struggle with parts of that language.

Maybe they’re not very good with grammar, or they don’t know vocabulary for business, or aren’t fluent in it. So they could really benefit from getting some language training before and after starting their new job.

Another scenario is that maybe there’s an employee that is amazing at their job. Nonetheless, they don’t know a second language. Which could be an obstacle to relocating them to a new country with a new language.

As well as to accept them into your company if they don’t know the language you and your workforce talk. But not if you invest in language classes for them!

Language training will give them the tools to do their job to their full potential even in their second language.

Though this might sound stressful, you don’t have to worry about how you are going to teach your work team a new language. You can simply delegate this job to someone else, an expert in teaching languages for business and corporations. Lucky for you, Fluency Corp does exactly that!

Get to Know Fluency Corp

We’re a corporate language training school. This means that we can teach you and your whole workforce. And all our lessons are customized to the job and needs of the students. Just tell us what you need and we’ll plan accordingly.

Oh, and through the Bellieu Method in which we base our lessons, we encourage all students to talk in every class. It’s the best way to achieve language fluency!

Because we know how busy you all are, our native teachers have flexible schedules, so you can study with us.

All you have to do is pick your language (we offer many different ones). Then, choose between our online or onsite classes and contact us for a free consultation!

Holiday Cultural Differences Between the US and Mexico

Mexican Posada, a group of friends with sparklers during Christmas in Mexico | Holiday Cultural Differences Between US and Mexico

The end of the year is almost here! And with it the celebration of Christmas and New Year’s Eve. As well as all the wishes and changes that the end of a year and the start of a new one can bring. One of those changes can be relocation and moving out of your country of origin. That sounds scary, but it can also be incredible!

A common place for Americans to move to is Mexico. Is this your case? Are you planning to move to Mexico? Congrats! That’s a big deal! We’re sure you’ll love your new life there!

There are many magical things about Mexico, but there are also some differences between Mexico and the USA that can make you feel lost and confused.

Is your move coming at the end of the year? Then one of the main things you must be informed about are the holiday cultural differences between the US and Mexico. So you don’t get too confused when celebrating your first Christmas and New Year’s Eve there.

To help you out, we’ve created this guide with the holiday variations you’ll notice between both countries. It also works if you’re a Mexican moving or relocating to the USA.

Don’t worry, just because there are differences, it doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy the holidays just as much as in your country.

Religion

One of the differences can be religion, which we know is a huge part of Christmas. Even nowadays in which not everyone is religious, many still like to enhance the religious part of these holidays. After all, it’s part of Christmas’ history.

In the USA, you’ll find people from many different religions. But you must know most of them identify as Christians, up to 70%. And even though there are some main religions in the USA, like Judaism and Hinduism with many practitioners, those aren’t the only ones. There are still many more than just those.

Meanwhile, in Mexico you’ll also find many different religions. But you must know that most of the people are Catholic, around 77% of the population! Contrary to most of the people in the USA where, as we said, they’re Christians. We must remember that though they’re similar and they interconnect, Christianity and Catholicism have differences.

Now that you see this you can notice you won’t have a problem celebrating Christmas in Mexico. Because most of the people there are Catholic religious and therefore celebrate it. Even a lot of the people that aren’t religious like celebrating the holidays. Because it’s a tradition and they like the good spirits of it and to reunite with their loved ones.

Posadas

“Posadas” are Mexican parties centered around Christmas that are celebrated throughout the entire holiday season. So throughout the entire month of December. So, yes, they’re a huge tradition in Mexico, but they’re also celebrated in Central America.

They’re hosted in all kinds of places, both professional and personal. Sometimes, companies throw a “posada” in their offices and headquarters for all the employees. Schools do the same for all the kids. And, of course, people also throw posadas in their houses or neighborhoods.

People are always very excited about these kinds of parties, because they’re perfect to reunite with loved ones, maybe even meet new people, and celebrate the Christmas spirit.

People decorate with Christmas ornaments the place where the posada will be held. They also cook or buy traditional food, like tamales and tostadas. An element that can’t be missed in any “posada” is the “ponche de frutas”. Oftentimes, they also have “piñatas” to break them among all the guests.

Of course, they play Christmas carols. And sometimes, more traditional people or kids in the school go singing these carols door to door. This is something we also see in the US, though it’s not that common.

Oh, and people can be invited to many different “posadas”. So, if you have many Latin friends, you can expect to be invited to a lot.

As you can see, Mexicans don’t stick to just the Christmas’ eve celebration dinner or party. They start before that date.

In the US, you might have gone to some Christmas parties, but not necessarily “posadas”. Or maybe you did go to a “posada”, probably organized by a Latin friend. Because the Latin community in the US still likes to celebrate “posadas”, because they’re part of their culture.

Food

Of course food is going to be a huge difference! This is because everyone around the world has their own traditions and gastronomy, which influence what they eat on Christmas.

In the USA, they usually eat turkey, ham, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, and cranberry sauce. As well as eggnog, pecan tassies, gingerbread, and the classic fruitcake, among others.

While in Mexico it’s common to eat pork leg, pork loin, tamales, menudo, cod, romeritos (rosemary with mole), pozole, churros, and buñuelos. As well as ponche de frutas (fruit punch), and one of the most popular, ensalada de manzana (apple salad).

Though you might miss the traditional Christmas dishes that people eat in your country, this is a great opportunity to try new dishes. Who knows?

Some may become part of your favorites. Plus, remember that this is not obligatory, if you really miss a specific food, you can still prepare it for Christmas. Yes, even if you live in a new country now. You could even do a mix of cultures and prepare dishes from both the US and Mexico.

Do you want to know one dish and one drink that are typically consumed during Christmas in both countries? The turkey and cider! So you won’t miss these.

Guadalupe-Reyes Marathon

You probably already know that Christmas Eve is on December 24th and Christmas is on December 25th. And that New Year’s Eve is celebrated on the last day of the year, so December 31st. And the Three Wise Men Day is on January 6th. These are the typical dates for the celebrations during these holidays.

But did you know that in Mexico they have a marathon with even more dates celebrated during this Christmas season and holidays? No, we’re not kidding. But we also don’t mean a marathon in the sense of running.

Rather, it’s called that because there are many celebrations and food eaten during those days. It’s like celebration after celebration. And it starts on the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe and ends on the Three Wise Men Day.

Here are the dates for the “Maratón Guadalupe-Reyes”:

  • Throughout December – Posadas
  • December 12 – Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe (Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe)
  • December 24 – Nochebuena (Christmas Eve)
  • December 25 – Navidad (Christmas)
  • December 28 – Día de los Santos Inocentes (Feast of the Holy Innocents)
  • December 31 – Víspera de Año Nuevo / Fin de año (New Year’s Eve)
  • January 1 – Año Nuevo (New Year)
  • January 6 – Día de Reyes (Three Wise Men Day)

So if you go to Mexico, be prepared to celebrate and eat during all these days.

Fluency Corp Helps Celebrate the Holidays in Your New Country

Part of the process of adapting to a new country of residence is recognizing the cultural differences and celebrating the holidays. To do this, you’d have to learn the language, so you can talk and party with your new friends and coworkers.

We just helped you learn the holiday differences, now let us help you with the language part. After all, you need to truly know the language to feel more part of this new culture.

Fluency Corp is a corporate language school truly committed to helping companies and employees improve their language skills. This means you’ll learn everything you need to know to succeed at work. This includes adapting to the new country you live in now, whether because you chose it or you were relocated.

We have native teachers that will make the learning process better. Because you’ll get to hear the real accent and pronunciation of words, as well as learn from those who know the language inside out. After all, they live and use the language every day.

On top of that, our classes are completely customized to the job and your needs. So tell us what you want to achieve and we’ll create a plan accordingly.

Oh, and don’t worry about learning to speak like a local to adapt better to your new country. We make students speak in their target language in every single class using everything they’ve learned. It’s the best way to achieve language fluency.

So, are you ready to master your favorite language? Choose between our online or onsite classes. Then, contact us for a free consultation; we will answer all your questions!

Cultural Differences When Working in Mexico

Group of young business people in meeting using laptop on terrace office working in Mexico

Cultural differences with Mexico can be huge and sometimes confusing. This applies to every area of life. These differences appear while making friends, going to school, ordering food, paying the check at a restaurant, greeting someone and, of course, working.

So, if you’re doing business in Mexico, you must learn the different ways they work and all the cultural differences it has with your hometown. This will make the process of adapting a little bit easier and a lot less confusing. You might also end up loving some of these things.

To guide you, here are some cultural differences when working in Mexico or with Mexican employees.

Greeting

You might’ve heard already that Mexicans are very effusive when it comes to greeting people. They like to show their warm nature. They tend to hug and kiss on the cheek.

If you’re not used to this type of behavior, you’ll probably feel weird and out of place at first. But, imagine how awkward it would’ve been if you went to Mexico without knowing this! Have you ever lived a moment like this?

Here’s the important question: Do they also greet like this in the workplace?

Well, not really. Or not everybody.

If you’re greeting your boss or a figure of authority, then you should greet them with a handshake. You can also say a kind but formal:

  • Buen día (good day)
  • Buenos días (good morning)
  • Buenas tardes (good afternoon)
  • Buenas noches (good night)

That’s how people usually greet others in business. They don’t tend to hug or kiss there. The same applies for your coworkers. Especially men and women, or men and men.

If you’re a woman who is friends with another female colleague, then you may kiss her on the cheek. These kisses are mostly just cheek to cheek and making the sound of a kiss, like sending the kiss to the air. They don’t really give you a kiss.

In some companies, the women that are bosses may also greet each other with a kiss on the cheek. Especially if they have a good business relationship. But it’s not common for them to kiss their employees.

Goodbyes

The same thing happens when Mexicans say goodbye: They tend to be super warm and hug and kiss each other on the cheek. But, this isn’t the case in the workplace.

You can simply wave goodbye and say:

  • Adiós (goodbye)
  • Hasta luego (see you later)
  • Hasta mañana (see you tomorrow)
  • Hasta luego, buenas tardes (see you later, good afternoon)

When a meeting is over, you might see some businessmen give each other a hug. That’s just a kind way of saying goodbye and it’s usually a sign that the meeting went well. But it’s not necessary to do this.

Punctuality

Mexicans don’t have the best sense of punctuality. They tend to arrive late everywhere, sometimes even to work. So, don’t be surprised if somebody arrives after the beginning of their work shift or a meeting starts late. Of course, we can’t generalize; it’s not everybody.

Some companies have an approximate ten-minute tolerance.

That being said, you shouldn’t do this. Just because some Mexicans arrive late, doesn’t mean it’s well seen in the workplace. It actually is not. Some companies even have penalties for not being punctual. So, you better stick to being a punctual person.

This punctuality is especially well seen when you have a business meeting with your boss or an important partner. Because it means you respect them and their time.

But if you’re meeting a friend after work or on a weekend, they might arrive later. Or if you’re going to a party, then expect people to arrive a bit later than the scheduled hour.

Work Shift

The work shift in Mexico starts very early. For most corporate jobs, it can vary from 8:00 am to 9:00 am. And it usually ends at 5:00 pm or 6:00 pm. Basically, it is scheduled to last eight hours a day. At least it should be that way. But, sadly, not many people (bosses) respect the end of the shift.

Some hate to see an employee leave at their scheduled hour. And it’s expected for them to stay longer.

Some workers also stay extra hours if they haven’t finished their work yet. Of course, the company should pay for extra hours, but this is not always the case.

If you’re a boss, it’s up to you to tell them it’s okay to leave at their agreed schedule.

The normal 8-hour workday includes one hour of lunch break. Sadly, not many employees take the whole hour, because of the workload.

We don’t mean to say this is the best way to do it. In fact, many Mexicans don’t think so either. We’re also not saying you should do it this way. But you might see this happening when working in Mexico or with Mexican employees.

By the way, in some companies, they only work half a day on Fridays. But it depends on the company.

Formal Attire

Are you wondering how you should dress when meeting a Mexican business partner or going to work? Good question! You don’t want to look out of place.

In Mexico, people tend to dress formally at work; that’s the way it’s expected.

So, for women it would be formal dresses or skirts not too short, and it’s better if you use tights underneath. It can also be formal pants and suits. No crop tops.

And for men it would be the classic suit, shirt and tie. No shorts.

The shoes should also be more formal, no flip flops at all.

Some companies allow the employees to wear more casual or informal clothes, like jeans, on Fridays.

Celebrate the Employees

This is not how everyone does it, but some companies celebrate the employees that reach a certain amount of time or years working in the company. It’s usually done with those that achieve 5, 10, 15, 20… years in the company.

How do they celebrate them? Simply by giving them a gift! That’s a nice thing to do.

It’s common for companies, bosses and especially coworkers, to celebrate the birthday of an employee. They all cooperate with some money to buy a cake and sometimes food, like a pizza. During lunch break, they sing “las mañanitas”, a Mexican song for birthdays, and eat the cake and the food.

Meetings

Mexicans love to do meetings while eating at restaurants, a hotel’s restaurant, or maybe a nice cafe.

These meetings are usually with clients; they want to impress them. But they can also be among business partners and high executives. These meetings don’t usually involve employees with lower roles.

The meetings that involve employees are hosted at the workplace, in the offices’ boardrooms.

You have to know how to engage in small talks, because that’s how all meetings tend to begin. As we said, Mexicans have a warm attitude and like to feel like they know others a bit better before doing serious business. That’s why they do small talk before starting the business’ topic and discussions.

It’s almost like a warm up.

If at the meeting there’s a new person or someone that you’re interested in doing business with, you can exchange business cards.

New Year’s Eve Dinner

Should we keep up with the celebrations? Some companies host a New Year’s Eve meal to celebrate the holidays. At this celebration, bosses and high executives do tend to hang out with employees.

Sometimes, they raffle prizes.

Of course, these celebrations aren’t exactly on December 31st. They can be any day of December.

Conquer Business Worldwide with Fluency Corp

Do you know what’s appreciated in any job position worldwide? That’s right: Bilingualism! If you learn a second – or even a third – language, you’ll have more chances of success in business.

After all, we’re all connected nowadays, and companies need people that will help them break language barriers and reach new foreign markets.

So, whether you want to learn Spanish for your job in Mexico or because you have Spanish-speaking employees, we can help you! We also have other languages in case you also want to conquer the business world in other countries. Just check our Fluency Corp corporate language training with native teachers!

Did you say native teachers? Yes, we did! This means you’ll learn from people that know all the nuances of your target language and how locals use it. You’ll learn things truly useful for real life.

Plus, all of our classes are customized to the job and your needs. So tell us: What do you want and need? Is it vocabulary for a specific job? Or maybe some accent training? Or is it learning how to write a proper business email? Whatever it is; we’re here for you!

As if that weren’t enough, we focus on speaking. So you can communicate effectively. All classes are based on the Bellieu Method, created by our founder and CEO, Micah Bellieu. It consists of encouraging students to speak in their target language. This constant practice will help you achieve language fluency!

Choose between our online or onsite classes. Then, contact us to schedule a free consultation. We’ll answer all your questions!

Difference Between Japanese and American Culture

Group of business people talking and two men bowing reflected onto table with documents depicting differences between Japanese and American cultures

Despite being located on two different sides of the world, Japan and the U.S. are two globalized cities whose culture reaches the whole world. They both have a distinctive mark in different areas of life, including the business culture. This also means that they bring a lot of diversity and cultural differences into the world and the workplace.

Though that’s amazing, because learning from another country can enrich your perspective, it can also be tough to adapt to new ways of life. So, just in case you’re in transition between these countries, you should learn the difference between Japanese and American culture.

Maybe you’re moving from the U.S. to Japan or vice versa. Or you’re thinking of expanding your business in both places, or you simply have clients, employees, or friends from there.

Size of Things

Let’s start with a simple one. Differences between both countries can start with something as simple as the size of the things. That’s not really a problem but could be a shock for some.

In America things tend to be bigger than in Japan. For example, grocery stores are bigger in the U.S. than in Japan. Same happens with food portions; they tend to serve more or bigger food in the U.S.

Greeting

This is a very important difference, because greeting someone will always be a sign of respect and education. Whether that’s in a business environment, with your in-laws, with your friends or with any kind of person. The tricky thing here is that both cultures have different ways of greeting.

Americans can be more informal. If they’re with friends they’ll have a relaxed attitude, maybe a quick hug or a cool handshake. They’ll also say an informal greeting or “hello”, such as “hi” or “what’s up”.

They might also say a quick hello to people they encounter walking down the street. Though they won’t stop to chat with them. If they’re in the workplace, they’ll be a little bit more formal. The handshake will be normal and firm, no cool elements added. Same with the phrases.

Japanese are more formal. If the situation or the person they’re with is more informal, they might just nod with their heads. That’s their sign of respect.

If the situation is even more formal, like in the workplace or a business meeting, they’ll bow. Since Japanese are aware that not everyone knows this form of greeting, they might exchange handshakes with you in international environments.

Leaving Tips

In the U.S it’s quite common to leave a tip when you go out to eat or even if you order food to your home. It shows gratitude for the waiter’s service and work. On the contrary, in Japan tipping is not common and it’s actually not well looked upon. If you try to give a tip, they’ll refuse it in a kind way.

The few places in which you can leave a tip is at ryokans, if you stayed in one. Or to your guide or translator, if you had one. Put the tip inside an envelope and give it to them. This is more respectful than handing out the money just like that. But don’t worry, because even without a tip, you’ll still get a very good service.

Clean Culture

You might’ve already heard about how clean Japanese are. It’s true. If you go to Japan you’ll notice the streets are incredibly clean. And there aren’t even many garbage cans around!

This is because they’re educated, both at school and at home, with an impressive clean culture. Wherever they go they’re taught to clean and not leave a mess. Honestly, we think that’s a huge sign of respect to themselves, their surroundings, and other people.

Sadly, we can’t say the same about America. Though cities are also very beautiful, you’ll find more garbage on the streets than in Japan.

Keeping Your Job

When it comes to having a job and keeping it for many years, it can be quite a different experience for both cultures.

Of course, some people in America get to keep their jobs for many years, maybe their whole lives. But that’s not the most common thing. It can actually be often you see many employees get fired.

Sometimes that isn’t even because of something bad that the employee did, but because for some reason the company needs to get some people fired. So they choose some. What’s especially curious is that not even older people are safe. Even those who’ve been at the company longer and have more experience, can be fired.

Whereas in Japan it’s most likely that people will keep their jobs for a long time or for as long as they can work, no matter their age.

Calling You by Your Last Name at The Workplace

We just saw how formality affects both countries in different ways. But it also does it in the workplace.

In America, coworkers can call each other by their first names, and even bosses can do that too. Especially if you have a good relationship with them. And it won’t feel disrespectful.

On the contrary, this is not a common practice in Japan. In fact, there people call you by your last name when you’re in a formal situation or environment. Unless you’re not with your closest people or in a casual environment, they won’t call you by your name.

This is also something that goes beyond work. If you go to the doctor, for example, you must also call the doctor by his/her last name. Because it’s not a close person to you.

Teamwork

Americans and American culture are known for being more individualist. That doesn’t mean there aren’t people that work more in teams or care about the community. But a lot others might advocate more for their own selves. Meanwhile in Japan they’re more collective and teamwork oriented.

If you think about it, this is also reflected in the work industry. As Jared Fullwiler, CEO of Zenu, let’s us know on a YouTube channel. Japanese companies tend to have many employees from different departments in one meeting. So they all collectively can discuss a project or whatever’s going with a business.

Japanese people must also let their bosses know everything. When they’re about to make a decision or change something, they must communicate it to their superiors. So they can agree to it.

This doesn’t mean that in America they don’t communicate with their bosses. Of course they do. But some things are still more individualistic. Like their meetings will only have the essential elements to discuss whatever topic needs to be addressed. Not everyone will be involved.

Or some companies even value a little bit more someone that’s able to address a problem or work by themselves, without needing tons of help.

Why Learn Cultural Differences Between Japan and America for Busines

Now you may be wondering: Why do I have to learn about cultural differences between Japan and America if I’m just doing business? Here’s why:

  • You’ll be more respectful of them at the workplace. Because if you know the culture of the country you’re doing business in, you’ll know what they like or not. You’ll know what they find as signs of education and therefore can respect that. This will make you seem good and like you truly care about your foreign clients and business partners. It will give you extra points and therefore, you might actually have more chances at successful international business.
  • We’ve seen how different both working cultures can be. So if you know their differences, you can know how to work with people from other countries and what to learn from them. As well as what to contribute with from your own culture that’ll be beneficial for them and will improve their jobs.
  • If you’re an expat or are planning to send some of your employees to another country, culture will affect them. Though knowing new cultures is beautiful and life changing, it’s not easy to live somewhere so different. At least the first weeks or months. Your expats will need all the tips above to have an easier adaptation to their new country. Especially to know how to conduct themselves in their new office.
  • Families of expats are also affected. If your employee (or you) is moving away with their family, they’ll also have to adapt to a new country. This means they’ll also have to be aware of the culture there. So they know what to do and what not to, how to do certain things, and even how to make friends.

Reach New Cultures with Fluency Corp’s Language Classes

Are you planning on expanding your business from the U.S. to Japan? Or to any other country? If you are, congrats! If you aren’t, you should really consider it. It can help your company grow a lot. Or are you working with foreign employees? Or dealing with international business partners?

That’s good news. You’re nurturing your perspectives on life and business with other cultures.

Do you know what else could help you with all of the above? Corporate language classes! And guess what? That’s exactly what we offer here at Fluency Corp!

All our lessons are customized to your language needs and your job. So you can be sure you’ll use all the learnt in a real-life situation, like in your next business trip. Our native teachers also make sure you learn about the culture of your target language. How cool does that sound?

The best of our school is that our classes are for you and for your work team as well! So, if you have an employee or more that needs to improve their accents or language skills, invest in lessons for them. The benefits will be for everyone and, especially, for your company. Because your employees will be as prepared as you to tackle any language challenge.

Just choose between our online or onsite classes. Then pick a language, could be Japanese, English, or any other.

If you have any questions, contact us for a free consultation.

What is the Difference Between Spain and Mexico?

Mexico & Spain Differences

Even though they speak Spanish in Mexico, and the Spaniards are the reason for that, there are huge differences between the two peoples. Accent, culture, food, just to name a few.

Today, we’re going to dig into the more granular ways that the two countries and their people are so different, even though the Spaniards colonized the country over 400 years ago.

Top Differences Between Spain and Mexico are:

Where are Spain & Mexico Located?

Now, I do not want to offend you by stating the obvious, but sometimes this fact is not quite so obvious – Spain and Mexico are on two different continents. Mexico is just south of Texas, in North America, connecting the United States to Central America. Spain is just north of Africa, to the east of Portugal, and is in Europe.

At Fluency Corp we believe everything is easier to remember with a story! We’ll tell a short, yet entertaining, story that will help you remember.

Imagine Hernán Cortés: not a super tall Spanish guy in the 16th century. He’s been on a boat for months to get across the Atlantic Ocean. He probably left at the southern port of Cadiz (no clue if this is true, but geographically it makes sense), and he is eager to claim some land and resources for Spain.

Cortés and his boss hit up Cuba, and his boss told him to then go back, but Hernán Cortés wanted more. He pushed on through the Caribbean Sea/Gulf of Mexico and landed in the state of Yucatan. Can you visualize it? Hope that helped.

What are the Biggest Challenges Facing Mexico & Spain?

Corruption and the absence of rule of law are the 2 largest problems facing Mexico today. We are reminded almost weekly that the crime and homicide rate still makes this country out of control.

When 43 students were murdered in 2014, the country rose up in protest.Yet, the murderers, supposedly the exact army that was supposed to be protecting the country, is still not in jail. Enormous crimes like this can be committed, and no one is held responsible. This sends a message that the drug cartels can get away with bribing officials and get away with it.

Spain, on the other hand, has more first world problems, as we call them. In 2008, the housing bubble burst and the GDP growth finally hit a wall. In 2012, the Spanish financial sector could no longer continue and they had to get bailed out by the European Stability Mechanism. This affected the unemployment rate especially hard, caused a severe economic downturn and bankrupted many companies.

At this same time, we saw many Spanish companies go abroad to stay afloat. We’ve been working with infrastructure powerhouse Ferrovial teaching their employees Spanish and English since 2013.

They knew that in order to stay relevant and continue building highways, tunnels and airports, they would have to seek clients in other countries, and in order to be successful in those other countries, they would have to invest in language training. They have most definitely succeeded since they now have projects on almost every continent.

What is the Difference Between Spanish Food & Mexican Food?

Mexican Food
Very different! These two foods could not be any more different, actually. Mexican food staples are corn, chili, beans, tomatoes, fruit and meat. Each region of Mexico has their specialties, like shark and octopus in the Yucatan region.

Corn is mostly found in the famous, warm Mexican tortillas and tamales, which are filled with just about any vegetable or meat and dipped in one of the many salsas, from mild to very picante. Or as my grandfather says, picosa.

When I said chilies, you didn’t think I meant just one, right? Just a few of the chiles you will run into in Mexico are: mulato, cascabel, poblano, serrano, and of course, the one we all know and love, the jalapeno.

Spanish Food
Spain food features a delicious Mediterranean diet: olive oil, fish, vegetables, legumes, fruits, some poultry, and some dairy. As you can see, the Spanish diet hits heavier on the Omega-3s, and contains more of a variety in their vegetables while Mexico leans heavily on corn and beans (what could be found locally, of course).

Spain, surrounded by water, logically gets a large amount of its food from the sea and the olive trees that flourish in Spain. Just like in Mexico, every region in Spain has its own specialties, like the empanadas from Galicia, or the spicy Basque-style chicken from Basque country. Of course, no matter where you are, you can get the famous Jamón ibérico.

What are the Pronunciation Differences Between Mexico & Spain Spanish?

The Z and the C (before e or i) in both languages are pronounced very differently. You can immediately tell if someone is from Spain due to this letter difference. In Mexican Spanish it sounds like a regular English S sound. Using Spain Spanish, it sounds like someone speaking English with a lisp (or, the TH sound in English), but it’s not a lisp – that’s how it’s pronounced.

Why did this happen? Well, this would be the same answer as to why Brits do not pronounce the H and Americans do. Over hundreds of years and many thousands of miles, groups of people change a spoken language over time. The resulting change is very different from the group that is far away. This is the simple evolution of a language.

In Medieval Castilian Spanish, just as in Medieval Olde English, words were spelled differently. Interestingly, Spanish used to use the same letter used in French, the ç, called a cedilla, to spell words like plaça, which is today spelled like plaza (but still using the TH sound where the Z is).

How do Mexico & Spain Communication Styles Differ?

I have lived in both of these countries so I can most definitely tell you that even though Spain brought a lot of people over, they did not bring their communication style. Or, at least, it didn’t stick.

I found the Mexican people to be overly polite (for my blunt American style of communicating), indirect, long-winded (again, for my blunt taste), and sugary sweet (I also lived in the bustling city of Boston, and liked the direct communication style there). They were most definitely polite.

Spain, on the other hand, does not have any of the above characteristics, and I do not mean that in a negative way. They say the truth, even if it may sting a little. Spaniards are direct, but at the same time diplomatic – not rude, but frank. They are quite gregarious and will talk a lot, and possibly loudly to show their feelings about a particular topic.

Similarities are seen in the formal nature of communicating in public, and the respect given by not using first names, but rather Mr., Mrs., etc.

What are the Biggest Cultural Differences Between Mexico & Spain?

Based on one Mexican’s journey to Spain, the largest differences he found were:

  1. The people
  2. The flow of life

When you arrive in Mexico City, you realize quickly that it will take possibly an hour to arrive at your hotel from the airport. During this drive, it will be quite chaotic, people will be running to cross the street, motorcycles fly between cars, and the flow is quite fast. Of course, the capital is the main area where you’ll encounter life at this speed. In Spain, it seems more calm, organized, serene, and CLEAN.

This Mexican tourist also found that the general way of being was intimidating. Remember, we said that the Mexican culture was more affable, polite, and less frank. So the strong character (not rudeness!) of the Spaniards was more in your face than Mexicans, or even Americans, are used to.

Does the Vocabulary Differ Between Spain & Mexico?

Just like an American traveling to Britain, there are stark vocabulary differences between Spain and Mexico. Asking for a fag in the U.S. might make some eyebrows raise. In the same way asking where the loo is might get you an introduction to a large, trucker named Lou! The same happens in Mexico and Spain.

There are hundreds of differences, but here are just a few:

  • Los servicios vs el baño (the bathroom).
  • Vale in Spain expresses ‘okay’ or agreement. This is not said in Mexico.
  • Tio or tia in Spain expresses guy or gal, but the dictionary meaning is uncle or aunt.
  • Boletos (Mexico) versus billetes (Spain) both mean tickets.
  • Computadora (Mexico) versus ordenador (Spain) both mean computer.

These are just a few of the hundreds of differences!

If you interested in learning Spanish from Spain or Spanish from Mexico, or if you have a cultural challenge at your multicultural or multilingual workplaces, please reach out to us.

We transform communication with employees and their families so the success of international relocations are greatly increased. For a free consultation, contact us or call us at (800) 401-3159. Read success stories on our testimonials page.

Moving to America? You’ll Need These Essential English Idioms

Idioms word concept on small wooden tiles on a dark wood background

If you’re moving to the U.S., we know you’ve got a lot on your mind. But we want to add one more thing: English idioms. Why? Consider this anecdote (based on a composite of Fluency Corp client experiences):nnDuring a crucial update meeting, Elaine, a project manager at a global corporation, was eager to impress her new boss, Mr. Sakai, who had recently relocated from Osaka, Japan, to Elaine’s office in Dallas. She began her presentation with great enthusiasm:nnAll right team, let’s hit the ground running and really go the whole nine yards. I know this project may seem like it’s costing an arm and a leg in terms of resources, but trust me, we’re not biting off more than we can chew here.nnMr. Sakai, although attentive, found himself puzzled. He turned to his assistant and whispered, “What does ‘hit the ground running’ mean? And why are we talking about biting off arms and legs?”nnDespite Elaine’s good intentions to motivate the team with familiar expressions, she inadvertently created a communication barrier with Mr. Sakai. What was the problem? Elaine’s use of idioms.

What Are Idioms?

Idioms are words used together that have a different meaning than the individual words alone. Take Elaine’s use of the phrase “costing an arm and a leg.” Native English speakers automatically understand that this idiom does not mean that you have to pay an actual arm and a leg to get something.nnInstead, it means that something is very, and perhaps unreasonably, costly to obtain. In the U.S., native speakers of American English use idioms like “costing an arm and a leg” without giving it a second thought. But for a non-native English speaker who has just moved to the U.S., idioms can be a real obstacle to understanding.nnIn our anecdote, Mr. Sakai studied English from junior high through university. He had visited the U.S. a couple of times before, but he had never worked with native English speakers, day in and day out. His classes did not give him exposure to the American English idioms that his new colleagues in Dallas use.nnAs language trainers, we see this situation quite frequently. With any language, there’s a big gulf between the vocabulary you learn from a textbook and school and the language as it’s actually spoken by native speakers in everyday use.nnNon-native English speakers who are working in the U.S. often share with us that they’ve lost track of what was being said in a meeting or conversation while they were trying to break down the parts of an idiom and interpret its true meaning.nnAs a result, they may have missed key information or an opportunity to share knowledge or insight. That’s frustrating, and it can ultimately hurt your job performance.

How to Learn English Idioms

If you’re moving to the U.S., we advise taking some time to get used to the idioms you’ll probably hear at work. Here are the steps we suggest:

  • Even before you move, start taking English classes that emphasize everyday conversation.
  • Start exploring English-language TV shows, movies, podcasts, books, magazines and music, paying special attention to idioms. (Tip: You’re much more likely to encounter idioms in some materials vs. others. For example, People magazine will use more idioms than an economics journal.)
  • When you run across an idiom you haven’t heard, write it down and take it to your next English class to talk about with your instructor.
  • Check out our list below of some of the most common idioms used in the U.S. This list doesn’t encompass every idiom you’ll ever hear. But it should serve as a great starting point for mastering less-formal American English.

Common Idioms in U.S. English

  • Break a leg. Good luck. You have a job interview? Break a leg!
  • Hit the hay. Go to bed. I’m exhausted; I think it’s time to hit the hay.
  • Bite the bullet. Face a difficult situation with courage. I know none of us wants to stay late, but we need to bite the bullet this time.
  • Piece of cake. Something very easy to do. The presentation was a piece of cake.
  • Burn the midnight oil. Work late into the night. I have a deadline tomorrow, so I’ll be burning the midnight oil.
  • Hit the nail on the head. To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem. You really hit the nail on the head with your analysis of the issue.
  • Jump on the bandwagon. Join others in doing something that has become fashionable or popular. After Lisa endorsed the plan, everyone else jumped on the bandwagon and started supporting it, too.
  • The ball is in your court. It’s your turn to take action or make a decision. I’ve done my part; now the ball is in your court.
  • Bite off more than you can chew. Take on a task that is way too big or beyond one’s capabilities. I think I’ve bitten off more than I can chew with this project.
  • Cut to the chase. Get to the main point without wasting time. Let’s cut to the chase: How much will this project really cost?
  • The whole nine yards. Everything, all the way. We’ll host a formal dinner, present gift baskets for everyone — the whole nine yards.
  • Hit the road. Begin a journey or leave. It’s getting late; I should hit the road.
  • Hold your horses. Be patient. Hold your horses! I’ll be ready in a minute.
  • Actions speak louder than words. What you do is more important than what you say. The executives say don’t worry, but actions speak louder than words.
  • Don’t cry over spilled milk. Don’t worry about things that have already happened and can’t be changed. We missed an opportunity, but we can’t cry over spilled milk. Let’s just move on.
  • Let the cat out of the bag. Accidentally reveal a secret. Tony let the cat out of the bag: Lori is the next Employee of the Month.
  • Keep your chin up. Stay positive in a difficult situation. Keep your chin up, guys. We’re so close to having this project done.
  • Let sleeping dogs lie. Avoid bringing up old conflicts or issues. He didn’t address what happened at the last conference, but I’m just going to let sleeping dogs lie.
  • Steal someone’s thunder. Upstage someone. Before David could give his update, Tim stole his thunder with a surprise announcement.
  • Throw in the towel. Give up or surrender. Maybe we need to throw in the towel on this client. The terms they’re proposing just aren’t reasonable.

Want to Improve Your Conversational English?

If you need to improve your conversational English skills before moving to the U.S., or you need to purchase English language training for employees at your organization, we’d love to talk with you about how Fluency Corp can help.

We offer English classes around the world, for employees at all levels, as well as online classes. To learn more, you can watch video testimonials, see some of the major companies we’ve worked with, and read about how our classes work. We’re also happy to answer your questions directly. Just get in touch.

How to Talk with your Employee about Their Accent

How to Talk with your Employee about Their Accent

nnAs a language training company, we get this question constantly: “How do I approach my employee about their accent? It seems as though everyone has a hard time understanding him/her because of his/her heavy accent.“nnIn fact, I got a call like this just the other day from a CEO.nn“We have two new interns this year, and we would like to hire both of them when they are finished with their internships,” the CEO told me. “They are incredible. But we’re having a hard time understanding one of them. Her work is great, but at meetings, we’re not sure what she’s saying sometimes due to her strong accent.”

Being Fluent Doesn’t Mean your Accent is Gone

This employee is far from alone. With multilingual teams and global relocations on the rise, more employees are being asked to do business in their second language. But even if an employee has achieved fluency in a second language, a strong accent can be still an issue.nnI even spoke with a British woman who is having a hard time adjusting her communication now that she works in the U.S. And she is a native English speaker!nnEuropeans typically learn British English, so relocating to New York City, Dallas or anywhere else in the U.S. is a shock to their ears. Mobile, privacy and schedule are just a few of the words pronounced differently in British English vs. American English.nnMany global teams also include members from India. Although English is commonly used in higher education and business in India — it’s even been called the “de facto national language” there — some Americans find English spoken by natives of India hard to understand.nnAn accent has a very real effect on how other team members perceive an employee. According to researchers Kristin J. Van Engen and Jonathan E. Peelle, if you’re listening to someone with an unfamiliar accent, you’ll have trouble understanding and processing what they’re saying.nn(By the way, that’s true regardless of whether the speaker’s accent is from a foreign country or simply a different region of your own country.)

How to Talk About Accent Reduction Training

So what can you do as a leader when a valued employee’s strong accent is keeping him from reaching his potential? I totally get that this can be an awkward subject to bring up with a team member, but it’s too important not to talk about.nnYou can have a successful, nonconfrontational conversation with anybody at your company about accents and how they impact communication. Here’s the game plan that Fluency Corp recommends, complete with a script you can use when talking to the employee.

  1. Schedule a one-on-one meeting with the employee to discuss his progress with his work. It doesn’t have to be formal. Don’t put this off!
  2. Here’s your opening line: “We are really impressed with (name a few ways this employee makes a difference and adds value). We think you are a vital part of the team, and we would like to invest in you even further. We want to ensure that you are 100 percent confident as you do this job. Is there anything we can do to support your growth?”
  3. Listen to the employee’s aspirations and desires around development and training. We’re betting that he’s going to bring up accent reduction training before you even mention it.
  4. As many calls as we get from employers about how to approach their team members about accents, we get twice as many calls from employees themselves. They want to know how they can master the local dialect and improve their communication and understanding with co-workers.
  5. It’s very likely that your employee has long wanted to pursue training to reduce his accent but hasn’t been sure how to bring it up with you. By initiating this conversation, you’re giving him an opening.
  6. What if the topic of accent reduction doesn’t come up right away? You can gently raise the subject by saying something like this: “How is communication going with your co-workers? We know working in a new country/region is challenging, and the local accent here is different from what you’re used to, so is there anything we can do to help you?”
  7. Once you and the employee agree on the need for accent reduction, offer language training: “Would you be interested in some private, one-on-one accent lessons to help you better understand our crazy dialect? We can enroll you in corporate English lessons that focus on developing and understanding the U.S. accent and covering the phrases you use in your daily work interactions.”

10 Secrets to Managing your Multilingual Global Workforce

3 Ways To Improve Your Heavy Accent

If your employee does want to work on their accent, remind them that the goal is not to erase all evidence of their accent, it’s simply to help them get their message across more clearly. There are simple ways to help them speak clearly even with a strong accent. Try these tips, even before formal language classes start:

  1. Make lists of the words that rhyme or have the same sounds – English has a lot of different spellings for the same sounds: burn, earn, bird, word. Each one has a different spelling, yet all of the sounds are the same. Use Forvo.com to check out a native speaker pronouncing each word if you’re unsure, or ask your English tutor.
  2. Google ‘English liaisons”. In English we connect words that start with a vowel. For example: I liked it. This is pronounced: I lik-tit.
  3. Use American Accent Training book to learn about new sounds that form between two letters from different words. For example: T + Y = CH. Don’t you = don-chew. This book will also open up your ears to the true sound of the language, and stop you from reading what you think the word sounds like based on the spelling.

One more thing? It’s okay to take time and be patient. Speak slowly when communicating to colleagues at work, and encourage your employee to keep working on reducing their accent independently and with language training.nn

Offering Language Classes Yields Powerful Payoffs

Language training that helps your employee reduce a strong accent will have powerful payoffs. If your company relocated this employee to your office, language classes will help him assimilate and decrease the chances that the relocation won’t take.nnThe employee will feel more competent and confident — and, thus, more likely to share his great ideas. (Isn’t that why you hired him in the first place?)nnYou’ll improve collaborations on your team by easing communication. And you’ll be showing your employee that you truly care about his wellbeing and success, which inspires deep loyalty.nnLike I said earlier, don’t put off this conversation with your employee. To learn more about how Fluency Corp can help you with accent reduction training, contact us for a free consultation.nn

India’s Relationship with the English Language

India’s Relationship with the English Language

I always find it interesting when people are surprised that people in India speak the English language so well.

English language instruction started in India in the 1830’s. Today, English is the sole official language of the Judiciary of India, as well as a second official language for government work.

Imagine if we had to do all government work in Spanish or French here in the United States. We most certainly would struggle.

This shows us how embedded English is into the lives of the Indian people.

A History of English in India

In the year 1600, Queen Elizabeth set up trading ports in Calcutta, Bombay, Madras, and Suratunder the name East India Company. During this time, public English instruction began, eventually replacing Persian as the lingua franca of the company.

In the 1850’s, English became the language of instruction at many universities. From 1858 to 1947, more and more Indians were hired to work with the British in civil services, furthering the learning of English. By the time India became independent, English was seemingly the best option for a lingua franca.

Many attempted to claim Hindi as the official language after independence, but there were protests from non-Hindi-speaking states. Therefore, English was chosen as a compromise – as an associate official language. Today, English is the only veritable way to communicate between Indian states that do not speak Hindi.

Speaking English is Fairly Common in India, yet still for the Elite

In 1947, when India became independent of England, English stayed as the official language, even though only a few hundred thousand Indians spoke English as their first language (.1%). In a 2001 Census, 12.6% of Indians know English, known as Indian English.

The CEO of Resettle India, Shradda Mithal, says, “If you need to speak to the taxi driver or someone at the grocery store, they may not be fluent in English, but almost everyone knows a little bit – enough to help you and answer your basic questions.”

It’s true, even if everyone isn’t fluent, a 2005 India Human Development Survey found that roughly 33% of men spoke at least some English. That’s a third of the country.

EF Education First ranked India 4th in the Asian countries for English proficiency (57.3% proficient). The top Asian countries for English proficiency were Singapore (63% proficient), Malaysia (60.7% proficient) and The Philippines (60.3% proficient).

As stated above, many Indians know some English, and a few know it well enough to work and live in it on a daily basis. This is due to a largely inadequate education system throughout the various regions.

How do Non-Elites Feel about English in India?

As previously mentioned, university and government jobs in India are all English-speaking, so what does this do to the millions of people who do not speak fluent English in India?

Sahith Aula, a graduate of the University of Cambridge, believes that this is creating a new caste: those that speak English and can get high-ranking jobs, and those who do not speak English and cannot apply for these jobs.

Even the medicine and government dealings and documents are in English, so how do you read your pill bottle or contend with the government successfully? Have they become independent of Britain, only to enslave their own through the same means? Big questions.

Many today believe that English is a way to compete in the global market, which is true. But many in India also feel that it is not fair to their citizens to expect English when it is not universally taught in all regions, with the same level of competence and educational materials.

Challenges Using English Outside of India

We often get calls from HR managers saying that they would like to book an accent coach for a talented employee that is hard to understand. Oftentimes this person is from India. “She is completely fluent,” the HR director says, “but we sometimes can’t understand her.” This is common.

There is a different syllabic stress on words in Indian English. Imagine if I were saying dessert every time I meant to say desert. But this happens every 4-5 words. It would be challenging to keep up. This varying stress pattern can be challenging and make it hard for the listener to keep up with Indian employee’s main message.

Another challenge is the high level of fluency of the Indian employee. When someone is fluent in a language, like a native speaker, they speak at a very rapid pace. But when someone has a way of speaking that is challenging for others to understand, this pace can work against them.

Slowing down and pausing in between phrases, is essential to allow the listeners to catch up to your meaning, decipher a different pronunciation that they’re used to, and generally process your message more effectively.

Thirdly, some consonants are simply different in Indian English. The W, TH, and the American T sound, for example. With consonant differences, syllable stress changes, and quick talking, the accent can be a challenge for some Indians. They might feel embarrassed, frustrated or shy to speak up.

Setting Your Employees Up for Success with Accent Reduction Courses

At Fluency Corp, our language classes, both in person and online, are taught by native speakers who are knowledgeable in the challenges your employees may face when speaking English in the workplace.

If we can be of service to you in regards to language training for your employees, expats, or for yourself, please set up a free consultation by contacting us or call us at (800) 401-3159.

Cultural Differences Between Mexico and Spain

Cultural Differences Between Mexico and Spain

As corporate language trainers, we can tell you that there is more to language classes than just language. For example, when we help our clients learn Spanish, we also teach them about the culture of the Spanish speakers they’ll be interacting with.

We do this because effectively communicating in another language doesn’t just mean knowing the right vocabulary words. It also means understanding the behaviors of those around you.

In Spanish-speaking countries around the globe, you’ll find a variety of rich cultures. However, the cultures our clients most frequently need to learn about are those of Spain and Mexico. Just as these two countries have differences in the way they use Spanish, they also have important cultural differences.

In this article, we’ll give you an overview of some of those differences. (Please keep in mind, though, that — just like in the U.S. — there are also regional variations within each country.)

Communication Styles in Mexico and Spain

Before founding Fluency Corp, I spent time living in both Spain and Mexico. So I can give you my firsthand impressions of how people in both countries communicate.

Spaniards are direct, but at the same time diplomatic – not rude, but frank. They say the truth, even if it may sting a little. As someone who has also lived in Boston, where people also have a direct communication style, I felt very comfortable with this. People in Spain are also quite gregarious and will talk a lot — possibly loudly to show their feelings about a particular topic.

While the Spanish brought their language to Mexico, they did not bring their direct communication style. Or, if they did, it just didn’t stick. I found Mexican people to be very polite, indirect, and sugary sweet.

There are some similarities in the two countries’ communication styles, though. Communicating in public is more formal than what English speakers may be used to. Spanish speakers in both countries also show respect by using courtesy titles and last names (for example, Señor Smith) instead of first names.

Social Etiquette in Mexico and Spain

The differences in how people interact in Spain and Mexico can be evident from the first time you meet someone. In Mexico, I’ve found greetings to be warmer and more effusive. In Spain, things are a little more on the formal side.

The same kind of preferences play out in personal space. In Mexico, people tend to stand closer to you when speaking than they do in the U.S. In Spain, the opposite is true. The (unwritten) rules on punctuality, however, are a little looser in Spain. Both at work and in social settings, meetings or events can start a bit later than the stated time.

In Mexico, starting things on time is a bigger deal, especially at work. In informal, personal settings, things are a bit more flexible.

Differences Between Mexican and Spanish Food

Let’s finish up with a topic that most people love: food! I’ve had wonderful meals in both Spain and Mexico. But the cuisines of these two nations are very different.

Mexican food staples include corn, chilis, beans, tomatoes, fruit, and meat. Corn is found in the famous, warm Mexican tortillas and tamales, which are filled with just about any vegetable or meat and dipped in one of the many salsas, from mild to very picante. (Or as my grandfather says, picosa.) Just a few of the chiles you will run into in Mexico are cascabel, poblano, serrano, and jalapeño.

Each region of Mexico has its own specialties, such as shark and octopus in the Yucatan region.

In Spain, the typical daily diet is more Mediterranean style: olive oil, fish, vegetables, legumes, fruits, some poultry, and some dairy. Spain gets a large amount of its food from the sea (the country is surrounded by water) and the olive trees that flourish there.

Just like in Mexico, every region in Spain has its own specialties, like the empanadas from Galicia or the spicy chicken from Basque country. Of course, no matter where you are, you can get the famous Jamón ibérico (ham).

While the food is delicious in both Mexico and Spain, the way residents of each country enjoy that food is a little different. In Mexico, meals are more leisurely. In fact, there’s a word for Mexico’s dining style: sobremesa. It refers to spending relaxed time hanging out after a meal.

Teaching Fluency in Language AND Culture

If your organization’s U.S. employees interact with colleagues from Spain or Mexico, cultural fluency goes hand in hand with language skills in smoothing communication and encouraging connection.

At Fluency Corp, our language classes, both in person and online, are taught by native speakers who also serve as cultural guides.

Ready to learn more? Set up a free consultation by contacting us or call us at (800) 401-3159.

Do Americans Celebrate July Fourth Abroad?

How Americans Celebrate July Fourth Abroad

We all know what the Independence Day holiday is like in the U.S. We typically spend July Fourth enjoying activities like cookouts, fireworks displays and community celebrations. But what is this most American of holidays like for U.S. citizens who live overseas? Here’s a little glimpse of global July Fourth celebrations.

Events in Other Countries

Americans in Denmark should feel right at home on July Fourth. That’s because this Northern European country has been celebrating the holiday for more than a century. Why? According to The New York Times, it all started when a Danish immigrant to the U.S. suggested Danish-American Day and July Fourth was chosen.

The Rebild National Park Society is a Danish-American friendship organization that organizes a huge July Fourth celebration. How big? Well, the Society bills it as the largest Fourth of July gathering outside the U.S. The plans for this year’s event include speakers, musical performances, a luncheon and a gala.

Denmark isn’t the only country that takes advantage of July Fourth as an opportunity to have some American-themed fun. For example, Killarney, Ireland, is planning an American-themed parade and other entertainment.

U.S. Embassies Celebrate the Fourth

In many countries, the U.S. embassy or consulate organizes July Fourth celebrations. After all, they’re a little piece of U.S. soil away from home.nnSometimes these observances of Independence Day have special resonance for both Americans abroad and residents of the country where they’re living. For example, last year Mark Brzezinski, U.S. ambassador to Poland, used his July Fourth remarks to request help for Ukrainian refugees.

Celebrating With Fellow Expats

Companies that have a large American expat contingent in overseas locations also frequently organize Independence Day celebrations. Or, just like in the U.S., colleagues may organize their own informal gatherings. That’s how Lauren Halonen, an American living in Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, typically celebrates.

“Usually, someone from our circle of friends from BASF, the company that relocated us, hosts a Fourth of July party at their house,” Lauren told us. The gathering includes food and drink, games — and some cross-cultural friendship-building. “We invite all those we know of from the U.S. working at BASF and then extend it to friends from all over the world who are interested to join. It’s been a fun way to party and share traditions!”

Across the world in Puebla, Mexico, Christina Urrutia has similar plans for July Fourth. “The past few years we’ve gotten a group of us expats together for a dinner and swimming time — like a barbecue party,” Christina told us. “We grill and talk and just hang around.” (What’s more American than that, right?)

If you’re a U.S. expat who’s celebrating the Fourth abroad, or even an American who’s traveling overseas this Independence Day, we’d love to hear about your celebrations. And if you need language and cultural training for your American employees overseas, we’d love to talk with you. Set up a free consultation with Fluency Corp by contacting us at getfluent@fluencycorp.com or (800) 401-3159.

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