How Developing a Higher Cultural IQ Will Increase Prosperity for Real Estate Agents!

Lola,

Learning another language is fine, though usually useless. At least I have never met anyone, who learned a language at school to any practical point. As a former educator, I do not see much value in that. If there is no language environment, it does not really work

As a boy, I spent summers on the Black Sea, where my aunt lived (this is a war zone since 1991). This area, unlike middle Russia, where I lived with my mom and my brother, was quite diverse. Georgians, Abkhaz, Armenians, Azeris, Russians, Greek - this was really a diverse group. I remember spending time on the beach with local kids, and I was always fascinated by how easily they were switching from one language to another depending on who they were talking to.

As an immigrant, I can answer "yes" to all of your questions. I do speak another language and, unfortunately, much better than English. I got 10 on the quiz, but it is sooooo simple.

As to the benefits of working with immigrants, I would be cautious. This is a great country, so many immigrants came, and this is all America. Well, not so fast. It is America after we/immigrants go through the melting pot. Then we become Americans. There is so much crap came from Russia, for example (and I am sure from other places as well). I worked as a resettlement coordinator in the Bronx in the largest Co-Op in the world (60,000 residents), working with Russian refugees, and I once asked a Professor of Social Studies at Columbia University, who was very much involved in working with refugees from Russia, what she thought about all these people, who did not want to work, abused the system in any way possible, were ripping all the benefits, did nothing good whatsoever, were obnoxious, I rather stop... I was angry, but she was not angry, she told me that they know that this is happening. She told me, that older people would never change, but their children and grandchildren would be those normal Americans.

I quit my job there in two years as I could not longer take it. I was too good in getting them all the perks and benefits, and I knew that many of them did not deserve it. I guess the professor was right. Our generation is not going to change, but our children and grandchildren are Americans of whatever decent they are.

I avoid working with Russians, even though I speak the language and culturally I guess I am more there than here. I tried a couple of times, but it was not worth it. I rfled Russia from all this BS, and I do not want to hear it again.

Be aware that though you may think very highly of any immigrant group coming to the US, this is the only culture so open to other cultures. Other cultures have way less tolerance, they are more physical, and size matters. Abuse is normal, bribery is normal, lying is OK, stealing is OK. I hate saying it, I do not want to badmouth a nation or a culture, but we are coming from a different way of life. Contrary to what you think about us, the only thing in common is that we have two arms, two legs, and a head (sometimes). What's in this head is absolutely different. It is really a hard work to become American. It is a concerted effort, and it never stops.

After 17 years here I am still learning, and controlling my temper is difficult. But I am a sheep compared to the way I was in Russia.

Anyway, it is important here, in US, like you write in the post. It is even more important when dealing with other cultures and other nations abroad. If and when Americans learn not to come to other counties with American set of cultural and political priorities, it will be really a successful leader, but this is topic for another blog.

Thanks for the post, Lola.  Guess I should dust off my Pimsleur Spanish course that is sitting hear and use it!

1.  Do you speak any other language apart from English?  un poco

2.  Do you network with professionals in related or the same fields who are minorities or foreign nationals? Yes

3.   Have you ever lived with or had a close personal relationship someone from another culture? Spent a semester in Mexico teaching Math and Computers - does that count?

4.  Have you ever been to another country? Besides Mexico - Canada, Austria

THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS LOLA!  I think we live in a culture where people are very English-only ignorant (yup I said that!)  Way back when I studied early childhood education and psychology 17+ years ago, the studies were available then.  It has to do with age and brain connections.  Second language as early as possible = good, Algebra before it's time = bad.  There is a delicate balance.

Most cultures teach their children more than one language early on and I don't get why we don't.

I took 6 years of French (not one ounce even though my sisters and I all sport French names), I know what I call "Kitchen Spanish" and my Spanish speaking friends die laughing when I start with my little sayings and since I am 100% Polish, I know how to swear in Polish.  I have been to Portugal and Mexico and that's it.  Really want to go to France, Ireland & Poland.  Unfortunately I have retained very little French and really wish I would have kept up on top of it!

It is not a very good idea to return to comments without risking to become boring, but...

USA is surviving with English only (meaning there is actually not that much need to know another language to survive and even succeed in life. I am not sure Bill Gates, Donald Trump, Steven Spielberg and many many others can speak any other language besides English. Same in Russia, where college educated people generally do not speak other languages, China and many other countries. On the other hand you can safely bet that educated people in Finland speak several languages, same in Belgium, etc. It is purely economical. To be a successful person in a relatively small and well integrated Finland means that you have a working command of several languages. The same is not needed on the vast spaces in Russia. It is self sufficient, like USA, like China...

When there is no economic need, this is a great wish, rarely realized. When this is the way to become successful, people do it and the results are great. Thus Israelis speak English, Scandinavians speak German, or French, or both... Being "English -only ignorant" is because this is a huge and stable country. And for many immigrant family there is another problem - children refusing to speak their first language, and forgetting it. Happens all over. My elder grandson (15) speaks not perfect Russian, but can't write or read. Little Shane (7) does not speak Russian at all.

I feel the best way to learn about other cultures is to travel the world - to experience new cultures.  There's nothing like seeing to believe.   

1.  Do you speak any other language apart from English? Some Spanish

2.  Do you network with professionals in related or the same fields who are minorities or foreign nationals? My husband is from Australia but his family is from Italy.  He also lived in Italy as a young child.

3.   Have you ever lived with or had a close personal relationship someone from another culture?  See #2

4.  Have you ever been to another country?

Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France, England, Greece, Malta, Spain, Island of Palma de Mallorca, all over the Caribbean, Australia

Hi Lola! I  have lived all over the world (my dad was in the Navy and ex Air Force) I've lived all over the U.S., Japan, Philippines, Turkey and of course the majority of my life in Hawaii (mom born/raised on Kauai) As you know, Hawaii is such a diverse and cultural rich society with many different races and nationalities. I myself am from Japanese ancestry (mom is Japanese) and dad was Swedish. Of course we work right alongside of these races and though sometimes it can be hard....with some who hardly speak...it is attainable and possible.

While living in Japan as a child I had a Japanes girlfriend...Funny, neither one of us spoke each others language but we got along just fine :)

wow...went back in time there :)