Neal HolladayNeal Holladay is a human relations consultant specializing in Hispanic relations and management development.ManagementKeys to Getting Productive EmployeesMarch 31, 2005ManagementUnderstanding the Cultural Differences of Hispanic WorkersBe careful when using gestures to communicate with Hispanic employees. Certain hand gestures mean different things in different cultures and can be taken the wrong way. For example, never snap your fingers at a Hispanic employee. In some Latin American countries, this is a gesture used only with animals and could inadvertently offend. Being compared to an animal is particularly offensive in Latin America.Hispanics are, in general, a lighthearted, social people who love to laugh and joke. But humor rarely translates. Americans tend to enjoy cerebral and witty humor, whereas Latin American humor tends to be more situational and slapstick. Be mindful of using humor when interacting with Hispanics. Degrading humor such as "Your Mama" jokes, for example, are not likely to go over well, particularly among those who are not used to Americanstyle comedy.January 31, 2005Page 1 of 1Top StoriesDesignCraftsmanship Across the Globe: Introducing the Winners of the 2024 WFB Design AwardsHailing everywhere from Italy to Portugal to Cincinnati to Washington, D.C., to Brazil to Chicago (by way of Poland), the recipients of this year’s WFB Design Awards prove, through sweat and creativity, that true craftsmanship has no borders.Machines/ToolsMeet the Repairman Turning Edgers Into ArtworkContractingWhat’s Your Top Advice for When Things Get Slow?DesignWhite Oak vs. Red Oak: As Pressure Increases on White Oak, Red Oak Is a Versatile AlternativeSponsor ContentBona Traffic HD RAW® Damage Mitigation
