ETIQUETTE FOR INTERACTING WITH THE HMONG
A. The handshake is a new concept to the traditional Hmong person. This is espe- cially the case among women. Hmong people greet one another verbally. Holding hands too tightly during a handshake will embarrass Hmong women.
B. When conversing with a Hmong family, one should always ask for the head of the household which is usually the father.
C. When speaking to a less assimilated Hmong person whether through the tele- phone, in person, or through an interpreter, one should use simple terminology. Many Hmong possess a limited vocabulary in English.
D. Hmong teach their children to be well behaved in the presence of guests. Typically, in cases where their children are interrupting or not behaving well in the presence of guests, Hmong parents do not send their children away or discipline them. Discipline is usually administered after the guests have left.
E. When talking to a Hmong person, he or she may not look directly at you or give you eye contact. Traditionally, looking directly into the face of a Hmong person or making direct eye contact is considered to be rude and inappropriate.
F. Displaying a smile is considered to be indicative of a warm welcome and friendship when meeting a Hmong person. On the other hand, laughing or making rough comments in the presence of a Hmong person may be considered a sign of insincerity and rudeness.
G. Traditionally, it is considered inappropriate for the opposite genders to sit too close to one another when conversing. To avoid misinterpretations, a male should keep a distance between himself and a female when in conversation or in any type of encounter.
H. When entering a Hmong home, a seat or chair will be offered. If the visitor does not sit on the family’s furniture, family members might assume that the visitor thinks that their furniture is messy, contagious with disease, or that the visitor assumes that he or she is of a higher status than they.
I. Most traditional Hmong elders, especially men, do not want strangers to touch their heads, or those of their children, due to their religious beliefs and personal values.
J. Most traditional Hmong men take on an adult name after they have married and had their first child. The adult name is added to the first name. It is intended to signify the maturity of the person. After the naming, it is thought that the recipient will be blessed with good fortune. Most Hmong men prefer to be called by their adult name. It is common for Hmong men and women to have the same names.
K. It is very common for Hmong families to visit one another without setting up an appointment. Sometimes a family will just show up at the door without warning, and expect a warm welcome. It is considered rude and inappropriate to tell the visiting party that you do not have time to visit with them.
VOICES FROM THE COMMUNITY: CROSS CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS OF GRIEF AT THE LOSS OF AN INFANT
43
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88