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 StoriesSurveys2026 Wood Floor Business Contractor SurveyHere are the results from our exclusive survey of wood flooring contractors.ManagementHow Online Quoting Saved My Sanity and My BusinessTechniquesHow We Did This Floor: A Mixed Media Floor Fit for a Texas CastleLegal AdviceWood Floor Pros: Legal Risks of Working for Friends and FamilyDesignEnter the 2027 Wood Floor Business Design Awards
