Tips

1. Lead by example. Start with yourself: “Hi, I’m Seema. I use she/her/hers pronouns.”
2. Add pronouns where people see your name.
   • Email signature
   • Zoom/Teams display name
   • LinkedIn profile headline or “About” section
3. Ask respectfully when you’re unsure. Try: “My pronouns are she/her/hers. What are yours?” If someone doesn’t share, don’t push—just use their name.
4. Avoid assumptions. Never guess pronouns based on appearance or name. When in doubt and you can’t ask, use the person’s name or “they” until you know.
5. Stay open and flexible. If someone lets you know their pronouns have changed or you get it wrong, apologize briefly, correct yourself, and move on without making it a big scene.
6. Connect this to your values. Frame pronoun sharing as part of respect, cultural competence, and inclusive service—not as a trend or “box to check.”

And remember, if you make a mistake (which will happen), apologize genuinely and move on.

Do you know how the concept of punctuality differs around the world? Growing up immersed in two cultures, I learned early on that “on time” can mean very different things depending on where you’re from.

With my non-Indian friends, 7:00 p.m. usually meant right around 7:00 p.m. With my Indian friends, though, 7:00 p.m. could easily become 7:30 or even 8:00 p.m.

My best friend growing up was German, and her definition of punctuality threw me off even more. For her, 7:00 p.m. meant 6:50 p.m. The way she was raised, being on time meant arriving early.

In some cultures, including India, many Latin American countries, Africa, and parts of the Caribbean, punctuality is a more fluid concept. Is that true in your culture too? In other cultures—such as the U.S., Japan, and Germany—people tend to follow the clock closely, and lateness may be viewed as a sign of disrespect.

The key is to be mindful of these differences. I do my best to adapt to the person and culture I’m engaging with, and to respect their expectations and perception of punctuality. It’s a small adjustment that can make a big difference in building trust across cultures.

Around the world, people follow many different diets. When planning a multicultural event, meeting, or gathering, it’s essential to be mindful of your attendees’ dietary needs.

Some of the most common dietary preferences include:

• Vegetarian: No meat (such as beef, chicken, or seafood).
• Vegan: No animal products of any kind (including meat, dairy, eggs, or honey).
• Kosher: Prepared according to Jewish dietary law (for example, no meat and dairy served together, no pork).
• Halal: Prepared according to Muslim dietary law (for example, no pork, specific methods of slaughter and preparation).
• Gluten-free: Excludes gluten-containing grains (such as wheat, barley, and rye).

Not everyone from a particular culture follows the same diet—or follows it in the same way. It’s important to understand how you can accommodate different needs and to ask respectful questions when you’re unsure. Pay close attention to ingredients such as broths, simmering sauces, gelatin, and items containing lard, as these can easily be overlooked.

Pro tip: When baking for a vegan diet, you can replace 1 egg with any of the following: ¼ cup vegan yogurt; ½ mashed banana; 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water; or ¼ cup applesauce. What tip can you share with us?