I develop and facilitate such programmes, so I am happy to share what I know with anyone on how they can implement such in their own workplace

And what you said about: “understanding the “local culture of running late to meetings” or as basic as knowing their public holidays or understanding basic parts of their religion so you don’t step on someones toes unintentionally”

You hit the nail on the head. It is through such understandings that people can, again, draw a common ground from. Or make them think. But sadly, none of the Tools mentioned on my previous comment ever touch on such. But then again, they are designed by non-Native self-appointed Experts so it is not surprising.

God dag og tusen takk [these are some of the few Norse words I know, sorry!] for your warm welcome! Also, the clarifications. Yes, I agree that it is a tad difficult for, to quote you, an accountant or a project manager to possess Cultural Intelligence — much less a rudimentary knowledge of the other. As not everyone does or should be expected to.

It is a bit too idealistic to expect organisations to hire or second CQ employees over to their overseas operations. However, what they can do is to put them through cultural coaching. Again, many companies though took the easy way out by putting them on Pre-Departure *Training*. Which is silly at best, as how can one possibly anticipate potential problems.

[U.S and Dutch trainers are pretty good at developing those Tools that only serve to reinforce existing prejudices: "The Chinese being Asians emphasise relationships so don't rush them to sign the deal, they dislike losing face etc etc.. So, take note when dealing with Singaporeans because they are Chinese [sic]!!]

But what really galls me is many Western companies hiring another Westerner or any other Asian to *train* staff on Working with Singaporeans or Singapore Do’s and Dont’s!! [Believe me, much of the content being recycled myths and half truths -- as evidenced by my contacts. Also see above on "Tools"]

Simply because, get this, Singapore is but another **Asian** society. So no different from China, ain’t it? They all are the same, so what’s the problem?

Or worse, a former trailing spouse with experience in Thailand and Indonesia *training* expatriating couples on Singapore. Well, all of these countries are Southeast Asian, so what’s the problem?

It is no different from me hiring a British *trainer* for my stint in Germany or France for example. After all, both are of Anglo-Saxon stock [in the case of Germany] or shared similar history [the English once owned a piece of huge real estate in France, no?] ain’t it? So what’s the problem?? Ah yes, but I would be laughed out of town.

But I digress However, a growing number of Cross-Cultural / International Management + Organisational Pyschology researchers have had emphasised on the dual importance of Cultural Intelligence [CQ] + selecting Culturally Intelligent [or potential by leveraging their cross-cultural competency] employees for overseas deployment.

That is why I emphasise the CQ element through my programmes BUT of course, through my experience, I have had come across several individuals who resisted coaching [again, to these people, meaning of coaching and *training* is interchangeable] because they disliked being told to HOW TO BEHAVE in the correct manner towards us.

The truth is, the great discrepancy between Western and Eastern cultures / cultural practices stresses them out. Apart from the perceived “immoral” practices of the latter. It is more convenient to trot out the utterly lame “I’m afraid of offending them Singaporeans, so it’s best to AVOID them at all cost!” statement.

I apologise for going on at length, but I will follow you on Twitter soon — found you via @moue Thanks once again, Jacob and you take care too!

“I have the feeling that the more everybody gets trained on how the others are “supposed” to behave, the more complicated it gets”

That’s what the average person thinks: TRAINING = SUPPOSED TO BEHAVE IN A CERTAIN MANNER. That not only defeats the entire purpose of cross-cultural awareness, but only serves to reinforce racism + bigotry + xenophobia.

If you open your mind to the possibility of learning something new AND accept that not everyone is the same as you, you would not even think this way

But I cannot blame you as the word “training” already gives a certain connotation. And I am much aware of the curricula of many Cross Cultural “Trainers”. That is why I emphasised that what I do is *coaching*. You only train monkeys and dogs

Maybe it is also due to the fact that I grew up in an already established multi-cultural and multi-lingual society like Singapore. Which is a blessing, and that NOT everyone elsewhere can get their heads around in spite of.