Grant_partb

International Visitor While working in the restaurant, a group of Buddhists arrive for a meal. Being very polite and friendly, I direct them to their table. I give the a drink list and a Menu. On my return to the table, i discover, even though buddhists have no strict dietary needs, these few have chosen not to eat meat. All of our meals have some kind of meat in the ranging from chicken, fish, beef and lamb. I ask if they are able to eat fish, but still, they prefer to eat vegetables only. Working in a 5 star hotel, i wanted to be as hospitable as i could. I returned to the kitchen and spoke to the head chef, and he agreed to come to the table and talk with the buddhists. In the end, the chef agreed to make them a special vegetarian meal that they could all eat. Listen to their problem, and make sure you undertsand fully, but repeating it to them. Acknowledge that you understand them, that they are from a different culture, and that they have specific need also. Tell them that you will do everything in your power to help with their problem. Dont make a big deal over it, and just try and make them feel comfortable whilst you rectify the situation. Go and speak to the head chef and ask if he is able to make a special meal for the buddhists. In a situation, it is not necessary to report it, but you may want to just incase the owner of the restaurant wants to know what hapened. Go back to the table and make sure that the buddhists recieved their vegetarian meal and make sure that they are satisfied with the quality of the meal. Ask if there is anything else that they may need.
 * Listen**
 * acknowledge**
 * respond**
 * take action**
 * report**
 * follow up**

Staff member from a different background. Today we got a new staff member working at the front desk. She is supposed to be at the desk for all of her shift, taking calls in and out of the hotel. The problem is that she is jewis, and being a strict Jew, practising Judaism, she must pray 3 times a day at certain times. One of these time conflicts with her shift.

Listen to the situation carefully, and repect the fact that she is Jewish. Express concern for her, and tell her that you are going to do everything you can to fix the situation. again, dont make a big deal out of it becuse all problems can be fixed. Take Responsibility** Take responsibility and try t get the situation fixed. Go and talk to the manager or the person incharge of rostering and see if someone can fill in for 30 min whilst she prays. Tell her that you will speak to the manager and that the problem will be sorted out ASAP. Report Report the situation, write it down to make sure somthing like this doesnt happen again. Follow up** Go and talk to her, make sure the problem has been fixed and that adequate time has been given to her to go and pray during the day.
 * Listen**
 * acknowledge
 * take action

In my cultral experience, i have learned many different things about the people in tibet. When you greet someone, it must be with a bow, and you must nit touch them straight away. If for some reason you were to meet the Dalai Lama, you must never be seated higher than him, and must never ask a question unless you have his approval. Tibetans are formal when eating. Prayers must be said before and after any meal. Personal grooming is of high standards, even though most of the people cant afford much clothes. Tibetans are very hard workers, and i believe that this due to the fact that Buddah was a hard work, and tey all worship him. Its not often that you come across a tibetan in an Australian workplace, buut over in Tibet you notice that they are very hard workers. Personal grooming is quite high, their hair is always neat along with their clothing. I was very impressed with the grooming of the nomads especially. There are many festivals for religious holidays celebrating buddah, and these intwine with their customs. Alot of their customs rovolve around buddah and praying. Tibet is full of culture, like i have never seen.