Liaison: a channel for communication between groups. Culture: the tastes in art and manners that are favored by a social group; all the knowledge and values shared by a society; the attitudes and behavior that are characteristic of a particular social group or organization (selected out of the google search).
It seems to me my calling in life is to be a liaison no matter where life takes me - hence my interest to put my self out there as a "Cultural Liaison" - not that I know everything about all cultures - just that I'm willing to learn!
For example, one place I worked as a IT Liaison. My main job was to train nurses to do their job on client server software instead of a mainframe software. BUT....since the IT group did not want to deal with 30 independent and demanding nurses who knew nothing about computers and software, I not only trained the nurses, but all IT problems funneled through me. If I couldn't help the nurses, then I met with the IT group to get things changed. The two groups spoke a different language and both had established (and different) cultures that needed a liaison to facilitate conversation. I learned a little of each language and appreciated each of their cultures enough to bridge their differences and make progress on the project.
A similar situation evolved in another customer service position, except this liaison position was not only between customers and our IT groups, but also between ethnic groups within our organization. I often went with fellow employees to talk to developers because they couldn't understand their English, encouraging them to 'JUST TRY' . Lunchtimes spent sharing food and personal histories flew by too fast but made going to work worthwhile.
Here's a funny one: several years ago a few friends and I decided to work on a project for the Columbus Asian Festival. It was a display of bridal outfits from all over the Asian world. Also, we did a boat for India - which is quite a scene if you've ever been to the festival. Anyway, I'm the only one of the group still at all involved (not much) but I usually ended up doing some craft representing India (one year it was the Hmong story drawing - not India); I used to do the sari wrapping in the dress up area! So, I mention this because there I am representing the majority ethnic group representing another group's culture - it's a little different, but fun.
Maybe it's just that I grew up in very multi-cultural places and have heard many different languages being spoken; but my family members do not seem to have this talent or desire - they still live among MANY other ethnic groups. But sometimes living among many ethnic groups other than your own, creates discontent for some people, so it also must be that 1) I am curious and love learning about people; and 2) I believe we have more in common than we realize; 3) I love to travel and have new experiences even if it's vicariously through other people's travels and experiences; 4) some religious texts reference seeing God in a stranger; 5) you get the idea......
Working in retail also brought out my liaison skills. When I overheard (usually negative) comments about other ethnic groups shopping at our store, I shared whatever knowledge and awareness with my co-workers (trying not to be a smarty-pants) talking of common traditions, making food, etc. Sometimes, I was asked to speak to customers who were obviously (to me) speaking English but had an accent. I think of that as liaison work as well. In reverse, our dominant culture has some pretty strange beliefs and unspoken rules that I try to explain to my friends who did not grow up in this culture.
One of my favorite liaison activities is speaking to Ms. Bierl's sixth grade classes about my Indian/Hindu life as I experienced it on my trips there. They embrace this knowledge with such excitement and many spoke of wanting to know more, or shared their own experiences of trying the customs of other cultures. They completely get it. We are the same but different and sometimes doing it their way is more fun.
My liaison work to Isle de Reunion has been postponed to next year (hopefully not cancelled) so I'm starting on some new projects here in Worthington, Ohio. My Cultural Liaison work will continue - just not sure what shape it will take. Please post any and all comments about your own "Cultural Liaison" work.
Namaste
