Entry 5 Culture and Communication

In Trinidad our culture dictates the way we communicate in a professional or even an unprofessional setting.  We are known to be limers on and off the job, yet still finding time to accomplish daily set goals.  I was once amazed by the confusion of a colleague who was brought in from the United States of America to give a presentation at a symposium.  She was amazed at the fact that even though we were at such a prestigious and auspicious occasion, she noticed that we were finding the time to laugh and enjoy the moment that we were in and even begged to know the secret of having fun on the job and still getting it done.   One might for a moment say that we don't take anything thing seriously but i beg to differ it is our culture as Trinidadians to make any and every moment into a joyous one, a trait that has been passed down from generation to generation.


On a negative note, our culture has breed us to be the type of people that says whatever is on our mind even though the situation may not call for it, something i believe we need to work on.  In front of a crowd a 'friend' or colleague would not hesitate to ask at the top of their voice "why you wearing that, it not looking good", a statement that might be better received in a soft tone with no other present, sadly i think this is because we tend to seek out the negative in other people to make us look better.  Statement like that would obviously meet with straight faces as we would usually try to send the message that you are being disrespectful and have all mastered the 'eye', that look with our eyes that tells the other person or persons you need to stop now.


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