Texas Customs
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 San Antonio Texas 1908 Post Office Federal Court Customs Office Vintage Postcard  US $9.99
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 El Paso Texas TX Largest Customs Smelter in Southwest early 1900s Antique pc US $6.50
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Multiculturalism is a reality in North America and for those of us who do business globally. The US has more legal immigrants yearly than all the other countries in the world combined. Also there are vast cultural differences among "native" North Americans living in the US and Canada for several generations, as you know if you've done business with a New Yorker (better be quick!) or with a Texan (better stand at a 90degree angle to your male companion).
Culture is not ethnic or racial. It is learned and of course each culture is different. Treat everyone like a unique individual, as you would like to be treated, don't get hung up on stereotypes. Develop your emotional intelligence so you can be more intuitive about how to communicate with, negotiate with, and provide services and products for people from cultural backgrounds other than your own. I offer some tips below, and yet they are not universal in these cultures.
1. I repeat, do not expect everyone in a culture to be the same!
2. In South Texas, if you're talking to a male, they will often stand at a 90 degree angle to you.
If you move to reorient, a "dance" will begin. This is a markedly non-intimate position, and often the eyes are cast down to the floor or out across the floor. South Texans generally say "Pleased to know you," while Mid Westerners say, "Pleased to meet you" or "Pleased to make your acquaintance." In social settings in South Texas, it is not customary to shake hands with women. Other San Antonio cultural customs -- in San Antonio society, we have the haute hug - two women will parody a hug, not touching any part of their bodies, and just patting one another lightly on the back. As a sign of affection, when you shake hands, sometimes you cover the other person's hand with your left hand and pat or squeeze with warm eye contact. This is particularly done with respected older people.
3. Be aware that most of the world does not greet by shaking hands.
4. People from Asian cultures bow in greeting, but the bows are different.
People from Cambodia and Laos bow with both hands together in front of the chest, as if praying. In Japan, the depth of the bow signifies the level of respect for the other party. Many Koreans prefer bowing and if they shake hands, the right hand is supported at the wrist by the left hand to show respect. Thais bow with palms together about chest-high with their fingers outstretched. And, there are exceptions. The Taiwanese usually nod the head in recognition rather than bow.
5. Some cultures naturally greet by hugging.
Native Hawaiians hug each other, exchanging breaths. The custom is called "ha." Ancient Hawaiians, incidentally, actually bumped heads together. Mexicans use the abrazo. Greeks and Italians often hug with or without shaking hands first.
6. Some cultures kiss!
If your Cuban male client kisses you on the cheek, you know you've made the short list. Immigrant men from the Middle East often shake hands with a slight nod or bow and then exchange kisses on both cheeks. Men from the Middle East usually don't shake hands with women, nor do they introduce the woman with them. Do not attempt to shake hands with a Middle Eastern woman unless -- and here's where the EQ comes in -- she extends her hand to you. Men in Eastern Europe, Portugal, Spain and Italy will often kiss male friends on the cheek.
7. Pakistanis (largely Muslims) greet with salaam, which is the equivalent of our "hello."
The salaam is done by bowing with the palm of the right hand on the forehead. Salaam means "peace" or "Peace be with you."
8. Postures also have meaning.
Ready to settle in with your Middle Eastern client? You may be most comfortable sitting back in your chair and crossing your legs. Well, don't! In the Middle East, one of the most insulting things you can do is sit with your legs crossed so the bottoms of the feet are pointed in the other person's direction. The foot is the dirtiest part of the body and the sole of the shoe is the dirtiest of the low. To show someone the bottom of your foot or shoe means you're looking for a fight!
9. Even handshaking cultures do it differently.
Many Britian's prefer a brief but firm handshake. The French prefer a light grip while sharing a single gentle shake that's quickly withdrawn. Germans will give a very firm handshake -- just one "pump" then quick withdrawal. More than one shake with Germans or French is considered aggressive. Italians will shake hands and then hug friends or kiss them on both cheeks.
10. Bear in mind the other person may be trying to accommodate your culture, so don't assume they will use their traditional greeting.
For example, if you start first, for instance bowing, and then see a hand extended for a shake, and switch to that, the other person will then have switched to a bow and this becomes awkward. For many cultures such "awkwardness" will kill the relationship early on, which means the deal is off.
11. Greetings are critical first moves in relationships.
Begin with a polite word or two, such as "Mr. and Mrs. Takida, it's so nice to meet you at last," and then hesitate for a moment to see what they want to do and are comfortable with. Then mirror their gesture, be it bow, hand shake, abrazo (hug) or nothing! Use your intuition! When in doubt, err on the side of conservatism.
I look forward to the day when we abandon our collective need for safety through homogeneity and reclaim our natural curiosity about what is not like us. We then will no longer need to "manage" diversity, and will have no need other than to engage it and open ourselves to receive its gifts.
About The Author
Since the early 1980s, Judith Richardson, M.A., has been pioneering in the fields of sustainable leadership, essential partnership, international teamwork, educational renewal, creating a customer service culture and workplace diversity. Featured in ICFAI University’s Executive Reference on Diversity Management, author of Four Keys to Engaging Leadership, and Keynote at International Conferences, Judith was nominated for International Coach of the Year 2003, and works with International Organizational Development across North America, Europe, Jamaica, Denmark, Sweden, Israel and Russia. (www.ponoconsultants.com www.emergentfeminine.com). Tel: (902) 434-6695.
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Brownsville, Texas - US Customs Bldg, Gateway Bridge $19.99 Brownsville, Texas - US Customs Bldg, Gateway Bridge - Premium Poster |
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Traffic Moves Through Customs at the Texas, Mexico Border $39.99 Melissa Farlow Traffic Moves Through Customs at the Texas, Mexico Border - Photographic Print |
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El Paso, Texas - Great Customs Smelter View of Bridges over Rio Grande, Mount Franklin, c.1936 $19.99 El Paso, Texas - Great Customs Smelter View of Bridges over Rio Grande, Mount Franklin, c.1936 - Premium Poster |
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Some Still Do: Essays on Texas Customs $30.04 Author: Abernethy, Francis Edward Series Title: Publications of the Texas Folklore Society (Paperback) Series Number: 39 Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 176 Publication Date: 2000/06/28 Language: English Dimensions: 9.03 x 6.06 x 0.50 inches |
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Some Still Do : Essays on Texas Customs $18.48 No Synopsis Available |
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Dynasty on the Texas Plains : Short Stories of Life and Customs on the Plains of Texas $34.12 No Synopsis Available |
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Texas $5.99 Texas |
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Customs in the Future $39.99 Customs in the Future - Giclee Print |
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Customs: Scotland $39.99 Customs: Scotland - Giclee Print |
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Customs and Excise $24.99 Customs and Excise - Photographic Print |
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Christmas Customs $24.99 Christmas Customs - Photographic Print |
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The Texas Republic $30.75 The Texas Republic tells the story of the settlement of early Texas from the Indian and Black settlers' point of view. Early Texas was a refuge for runaway slaves and northern Indian tribes forced south from the Great Lakes and eastern states. The eastern Cherokee, Arapaho, Ez-E-Nye, Delaware, Kick-a-Poo, and Alabama-Coushatta went there.The Cherokee found a friend in Sam Houston. As a young man he had run away from home to live with them as a member of their tribe. As a soldier, and a lawyer, he fought for the Cherokee to have land rights. When Mexico forced Texas to pay higher taxes, many could not pay and support their families. Just as the United States rebelled over paying higher taxes to England, Texas fought Mexico over an unfair tax burden. The Cherokee acted as scouts for the Texas army. The Texans fought the Mexican army's raids on their cattle and horses. Mexico's attack on Gonzales, Goliad, and the Alamo, force the Texans to take drastic measures. Sam Houston puts together an army of volunteers while the Mexican army chases the leaders of the Texas government from Galveston to east Texas, and back to the safety of waiting ships at Galveston. Sam Houston fights a decisive battle at San Jacinto capturing Santa Anna. From this battle comes the Treaty of Velasco and Texas' Independence. Santa Anna was returned back to Mexico a defeated dictator. Sam Houston becomes the first elected president of Texas. Mirabeau Lamar becomes the first vice president. Lamar's control of the Texas senate keeps Sam Houston from ratifying a treaty with the east Texas Cherokee: Chief Bowles and Chief Mush. Lamar's popularity as vice president, and his role as a cavalry leader at San Jacinto, leadshim to become the next president of Texas. Lamar as president takes the opposite view of Sam Houston toward new settlements, and the rights of the Red River tribes. Lamar makes war on the east Texas Cherokee, and the Comanche at the Council House in San Antonio. Now, a terrible Indian war wages in Texas for the next two years. These prevent new settlements in Texas, allowing Mexico to renew their attacks on San Antonio. Sam Houston as the new president of Texas tries to broker a peace treaty between the Red River tribes at Grapevine Springs. This Great Council of the Red River Tribes was one of the greatest treaties made between tribes that had different languages and customs. Some tribes had little or no contact with others, so this was quite a feat to accomplish A new battle begins within the Texas government for the true capitol of Texas. The cities of Austin and Houston fought for control of government documents. This threatened the treaty being ratified so Sam Houston has the treaty made at Bird's Fort two months later. This story tells of the Great Council and the Red Bird treaty that allowed the settlers from France, Germany, England, and some freed Blacks from the Federal States, to settle in Texas. This blend of cultures, and people make the story of Texas u |
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The Texas Navy $35.04 Most of the early settlers came by way of the sea, embarking at Mobile and New Orleans. Because of their innocence, or because of a certain love of independence, they entered through whatever ports on the Gulf seemed most expedient. The ports of entry which Mexico attempted to establish for the collection of customs duties were an early cause of friction which contributed to the Texas Revolution. And during the Revolution, the tiny Texas Navy, built around three sloops of war under Commodore Hawkins, was able to establish control of the Gulf of Mexico. These ships were the Independence, the Invincible, and the Brutus. With them Hawkins controlled the sea approaches to Texas, blocked reinforcements to Santa Anna, and contributed in large part to the many difficulties which beset the Mexican Army in its long overland march to the Alamo, Goliad, and San Jacinto Battles of 1836. So it was that Texas established a Naval tradition to stand alongside the brilliant military record achieved on land. Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Author: United States Navy, States Navy/ Naval History Division, History Division Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 48 Publication Date: 2004/10/01 Language: English Dimensions: 11.00 x 8.25 x 0.09 inches |
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Local Customs: Lone Star Lowlands [LP] $23.98 Where the first volume in Numero Records' Local Customs series focused on R&B, funk, gospel, and soul from small labels and a basement studio in Ecorse, MI, Lone Star Lowlands focuses on Mickey Rouse's Lowlands Recording Studio in Port Neches, TX, part of the States "Golden Triangle," that existed in between Port Arthur and Beaumont, located between Lake Charles, LA and Houston. Rouse's studio, like so many of the offerings that Numero passionately documents on its releases, was a hard-luck concern that recorded minor acts from the region between 1969 and 1972 when it shut its doors. The material ranges in form and genre but certainly has a sound. There's the folksy pop-psychedelia of Bobby Welch's "Yellow River," and his more Texas songwriter-oriented pop on "Benashaw Glen," and the spacy, harder rocking "Give Me Time" from Circus, and "Take a Look at Your Friends" by the Next Exit. There is also the deeply Crosby, Stills & Nash-saturated influence on "Where's Love Gone Today" by Mourning Sun that almost directly rips the "doo-doo doo-dit-doot-doot-doo doo doot" of "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes." For the collector interested in obscurities, Lone Star Lowlands will no doubt provide CD versions of recordings issued on tiny regional labels. Numero has done its usual exhaustive job in research, with a long liner essay by Rob Sevier and Ken Shipley, and did a stellar job of packaging with lots of rare photos, all packaged in a slip case box. [There is also a deluxe double-LP version of this set available.]~ Thom Jurek |
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Rods, Roadsters And Radical Customs $14.99 Rods, Roadsters And Radical Customs |
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Local Customs: Downriver Revival $22.99 Local Customs: Downriver Revival |
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Texas Graveyards: A Cultural Legacy $5.04 ., ."throw away your inhibitions, forget the ghost stories, and travel with Terry Jordan through the fascinating world of tombstones and epitaphs, the departed, the remaining, and the odd, revealing ways in which we honor the dead.... Jordan treats his subject with respect in both words and pictures." -- Southern Living ., ."Jordan's wonderful Texas Graveyards is a tour of Texas history in quite a unique way.... the book is a genuine masterpiece." -- El Paso Times Where more poignantly than in a small country graveyard can a traveler fathom the flow of history and tradition? During the past twenty years, Terry G. Jordan has traveled the back roads and hidden trails of rural Texas in search of such cemeteries. With camera in hand, he has visited more than one thousand cemeteries created and maintained by the Anglo-American, black, Indian, Mexican, and German settlers of Texas. His discoveries of sculptured stones and mounds, hex signs and epitaphs, intricate landscapes and unusual decorations represent a previously unstudied and unappreciated wealth of Texas folk art and tradition. Texas Graveyards not only marks the distinct ethnic and racial traditions in burial practices but also preserves a Texas legacy endangered by changing customs, rural depopulation, vandalism, and the erosion of time. |
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Hawaiian Charming Customs $64.99 Hawaiian Charming Customs - Giclee Print |
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Chippewa Customs $6.3 An authoritative source for the tribal history, customs, legends, traditions, art, music, economy, and leisure activities of the Ojibwe people. |
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Culture Smart!: Nigeria: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture $9.07 @lt;p@gt;Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa with an internal market of 150 million people and an economy growing at around 8 percent a year, is potentially Africa's next powerhouse. It is nearly one and a half times the size of Texas, with a landmass varying from sandy beaches and tropical jungles, to plains, mountains, and desert.@lt;br@gt; @lt;br@gt;This important West African nation is made up of 250 culturally distinct ethno-linguistic groups. The largest communities are the Hausa in the north, rooted in the Islamic city-states of the famed trans-Saharan trade routes; the Yoruba of the southwest, where ancient kingdoms nurtured some of Africa's best-known art forms; and the Igbo of the southeast, where decentralized, egalitarian communities have produced many of the country's most successful traders and businessmen. Nigeria has had a bad press: international reports of violence, corruption, and natural disasters completely overlook the vibrancy and artistic sophistication of its diverse cultural groups, most of whom live peacefully in mixed communities. @lt;br@gt; @lt;br@gt;Although Nigeria is the world's fifth-largest producer of oil, there is a huge disparity in income. The competition for scarce resources and the country's dense diversity have fostered ingenuity and perseverance on the part of its ambitious citizens. They are natural entrepreneurs, and intelligent and shrewd negotiators. They are also proud, and sensitive to criticism. Most are devout, gregarious, and hospitable, and disgusted by corruption. Now, in the twelfth consecutive year of democracy after years of military rule, major political and economic reforms are under way.@lt;br@gt; @lt;br@gt;@lt;i@gt;Culture Smart Nigeria@lt;/i@gt; is a unique introduction to life there today. Most of what is written about the country comes from the perspective of one or other tribe. There is nothing quite like this concise description of its major cultural traditions. The people most visitors will meet are well-educated, sophisticated, and well-versed in Western ways. Nonetheless, foreign businesspeople cannot hope to be successful without understanding the ancient and complex systems of behavior, values, and attitudes that underlie the country's vibrant social and business life. @lt;/p@gt; |
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Famous Cruises Through Customs $6 Famous Cruises Through Customs - Ben Benjamin |
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Thai Customs and Etiquette $12.8 Crisp and precise tips on how to understand the customs of Thailand |
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Customs House on the River Thames $49.99 Customs House on the River Thames - Giclee Print |
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Customs Officials Inspecting Tires $79.99 Customs Officials Inspecting Tires - Premium Photographic Print |
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Dover, Kent: the Customs Yacht $39.99 Dover, Kent: the Customs Yacht - Giclee Print |
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Customs Dock, Copenhagen, Denmark $34.99 Customs Dock, Copenhagen, Denmark - Giclee Print |
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Customs House, Brisbane, Australia $24.99 Customs House, Brisbane, Australia - Photographic Print |
