Practice Your Skills

• Listen effectively. You can’t be mindful unless you listen to what people say (and what they don’t say). For example, health practitioners first need to listen to what cultural groups say about themselves and their beliefs about what will make them healthy. Then health practitioners need to shape health messages for these specific audiences (Larkey & Hecht, 2010). Knowing when to talk and when to be quiet (so you can listen) is crucial to intercultural encounters.
• Think before you speak or act. When someone communicates in a way that seems strange to you—not meeting your gaze, for example, or speaking very directly—take a moment to think about whether his or her behavior is a cultural difference rather than evasion or hostility.
• Be empathic. Empathy is the ability to picture yourself in someone else’s place in an attempt to understand that person’s experience. When you develop empathy, you can change your perceptions and improve your understanding of the ways in which another person’s culture affects his or her communication.
• Do the right thing. Stand up for someone who is being mocked for his or her race, religion, or sexual orientation. Fight for those who don’t have a voice. You don’t need to be wealthy, established, or powerful to do this. When a friend makes a remark that you see as culturally insensitive, respond with a simple reminder (“That’s a rude statement” or “Oh, man, don’t talk like that”). You’ll send a powerful message without chiding or berating your friend.