ELECTRONIC HOUSE CALL - April 30, 2004

Our French odyssey continues. After four glorious days in and around the Burgundy region, we head for Versailles and Paris tomorrow. This is my sister's first trip to France and we really couldn't let her leave without seeing at least a bit of Paris. Margene and I have been here several times but not being "city people" did not stay long.

Can We Talk?
When I wander around Europe, I am continually reminded that life goes on in many languages – and goes on quite nicely, thank you. When I struggle to make myself understood in French, the people seem to appreciate the fact that I am trying to work in their language.

With as multi-ethnic as our industry is becoming, I think there is a lesson in all this. As operators, we expect our non native-born staff to learn English ... and they should ... but how much of an effort are WE making to learn (at least a bit of) their language? Communication is communication, regardless of what language it occurs in.

How about asking some of your non English-speaking staff to start teaching you some of their language? Sure, you will butcher the pronunciation and they will all have good laugh at your struggles, but if you are willing to be uncomfortable in their language, they are likely to be more willing to be uncomfortable in English.

We are all just people sharing the same planet. What language we do it in is really not that important in the scheme of things.

Bonjour, Mes Amis
Our French odyssey continues. After three glorious days in Burgundy, we head for Versailles and Paris tomorrow. This is my sister's first trip to France and we really couldn't let her leave without seeing at least a bit of Paris. Margene and I have been here several times but not being "city people" did not stay long.

We will be staying with friends smack in the heart of the city near the Latin Quarter, so perhaps the experience will be totally different this time around. Watch the diary for details.

Janet heads for home on Wednesday and we strike out for a couple of days in Brittany.

Follow along with the daily diary

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