Case Scenario #7: Communication and Cultural Diversity

Scenario

This scenario is about a conflict that arises from cultural differences.

You are currently employed as a support worker in a group home for people with disabilities. There are three older men who live in the group home where you work. Part of the job requires you to perform personal care such as meal preparation for the clients with whom you work. For the past few weeks, you have been working the evening shift from 3pm to 11pm with a new coworker named Arthur.

In the few weeks that Arthur has been working at the home, he has built good rapport with the residents. He is a very kind, friendly, and helpful person. Overall, he does a good job at supporting the residents. However, since Arthur started, you notice that he does not make eye contact with you or any of the residents when engaging in conversation. At first, you think he might just be a bit shy or unsure of himself, however, the lack of eye contact continues. One day, you need to convey a very important message and instructions to Arthur, and he still does not make direct eye contact with you. You find yourself feeling very frustrated, disrespected, and ignored.

Your second area of concern is around Arthur’s physical closeness when engaging in conversation with you. Whenever Arthur arrives on his shift, he shakes your hand and pats you on the back as though you have known one another for a long time. At times you feel that he is intruding in your personal space and it makes you uncomfortable.

Your third area of concern is related to food preparation. On the evenings where Arthur is preparing supper, you notice that the residents are not really eating their food. They take a few bites and then leave the rest of the food on the plate. One meal consisted of baked chicken breasts, frozen fries, and mixed vegetables. Another meal consisted of pork chops, rice, and steamed vegetables. The residents indicated that the chicken and the rice were very spicy. They were not used to the spices and had never eaten something like that before.

From Arthur’s Perspective

Arthur has been in Canada for four years. He originally immigrated from a country in Africa. He recently started a new job as a support worker in a group for people with disabilities. As indicated in the first paragraph, there are three men in their sixties who live in the home. He has been learning a lot and is really enjoying working with those three men. You are his co-worker, and have been very helpful in helping him to learn the different aspects of his job. Arthur sees himself as a very warm and friendly person who likes to make people feel welcome and comfortable. Arthur sometimes feels confused when he is around you. He wonders why you appear to be distant and aloof, especially when he comes to say hello at the start of his shift. To him, it seems like you don’t want to be anywhere near him, and at times come across as frustrated or even annoyed. For example, the other day, Arthur was paying close attention and was staying focused on the important message and instructions that you were giving him. You were perhaps angry because Arthur could feel you staring at him. Arthur could never do that as looking at someone in the eyes is very disrespectful from his cultural perspective. Arthur is also concerned because the residents don’t seem to like his style of cooking. He is unsure of what he did wrong because he has cooked chicken and prepared rice the same way all of his life and it has been delicious beyond compare!

Case scenario by Nadine Konyk.