Cultural surprises in the workplace for new residents

New residents to the USA, whether here for a H1B visa or some other special status, frequently are surprised about our way of life here. It is not what they had anticipated.
One woman commented on our large, clean supermarkets with so many choices. A man was surprised about the fact that others in his workplace are not taking time to do social activities with him outside of work.

If you are a new resident to the USA, where are you from and what 1 thing surprised you most about our culture? It could be in the workplace or the community. Please share your ideas!

Business Speech Improvement provides intensive training in the pronunciation of American English, cultural awareness, executive communication and more. Visit www.BusinessSpeechImprovement.com for more information.

Are foreign-born professionals in the USA offended if their employer offers to send them to an accent modification course?

As a specialist in foreign accent modification, my clients tell me that they are very glad their companies send them to my accent modification seminars. "I want to learn to speak right," said one learner. Another client reported, "My patients understand me the first time I speak, after this course."

Many human resources, training and management professionals in the USA, though, are hesitant to mention the need for accent modification training. They tell me, "I don't want to offend my employee by saying he needs this course."

If you are a foreign-born professional in the USA or an HR/training/management professional, how do you feel about being offered such training? Do you think companies should or should not encourage those employees who are hard to understand, to take this training?

Business Speech Improvement provides intensive seminars on Pronunciation Improvement for Non-native Professionals. For more information, visit www.BusinessSpeechImprovement.com and visit the Open Enrollment section.