Business 10th Edition by Ferrell,Geoffrey Hirt,Linda Ferrell

Exercise 12

Appreciating and Valuing Diversity
Background
Here's a quick self-assessment to get you to think about diversity issues and evaluate the behaviors you exhibit that reflect your level of appreciation of other cultures:



Indications from score
40-50 You appear to understand the importance of valuing diversity and exhibit behaviors that support your appreciation of diversity.
6-39 You appear to have a basic understanding of the importance of valuing diversity and exhibit some behaviors that support that understanding.
13-5 You appear to lack a thorough understanding of the importance of valuing diversity and exhibit only some behaviors related to valuing diversity.
0-1 You appear to lack an understanding of valuing diversity and exhibit few, if any, behaviors of an individual who appreciates and values diversity.
Task
In a small group or class discussion, share the results of your assessment. After reading the following list of ways you can increase your knowledge and understanding of other cultures, select one of the items that you have done and share how it helped you learn more about another culture. Finish your discussion by generating your own ideas on other ways you can learn about and understand other cultures and fill in those ideas on the blank lines on page 319.
• Be alert to and take advantage of opportunities to talk to and get to know people from other races and ethnic groups. You can find them in your neighborhood, in your classes, at your fitness center, at a concert or sporting event-just about anywhere you go. Take the initiative to strike up a conversation and show a genuine interest in getting to know the other person.
• Select a culture you're interested in and immerse yourself in that culture. Read novels, look at art, take courses, see plays.
• College students often have unique opportunities to travel inexpensively to other countries-for example, as a member of a performing arts group, with a humanitarian mission group, or as part of a college course studying abroad. Actively seek out travel opportunities that will expose you to as many cultures as possible during your college education.
• Study a foreign language.
• Expand your taste buds. The next time you're going to go to a restaurant, instead of choosing that old familiar favorite, find a restaurant that serves ethnic food you've never tried before.
• Many large metropolitan cities sponsor ethnic festivals, particularly in the summertime, where you can go and take in the sights and sounds of other cultures. Take advantage of these opportunities to have a fun time learning about cultures that are different from yours.
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