World Day for Cultural Diversity 2024

What a privilege it has been since then to deep dive into the many lives and cultures of friends and colleagues around the globe and to celebrate exactly these differences that make our lives so rich!

Feel the driving force of Cultural Diversity as voiced by my global Deallus colleagues.

Happy World Day of Cultural Diversity!

[BTW: UM stands for Unaccompanied Minor 😉]

The culture I grew up in as a family unit was typical of many at the time. My mum was ‘stay at home’ while my dad went out to work, arriving back at 6pm where dinner was always ready on the table to eat together.

Anna

I grew up in a culture where women, as a matter of course, went to college and had full-time jobs, were leaders and entrepreneurs, had academic degrees, and global careers.

Peter B.

Mutual respect, empathy, togetherness, grand celebrations of many diverse festivals and living a wholesome life truly delineate my cultural upbringing and ethos.

Vivek

In my culture, family and respect are fundamental. Family values are treasured, and respect is especially emphasized towards elders. This respect extends to friends and colleagues, encouraging a supportive community.

Karen

A true French cliché is the baguette: I grew up eating it throughout the day, at breakfast with butter and jam, for lunch and dinner as a side to the meals, and as an afternoon snack with a chocolate bar (the real ‘pain au chocolat’).

Eugenie

My formative years spanned UK, Japan, and Indonesia, and my professional life has bridged London and New York. For a time, I considered myself a “Third Culture Kid” and have carried forward the mantras of empathy, tolerance, and earnestness.

Philip

What should others understand about my culture?

The British never ‘quite’ say how we really feel! “Fine” as the answer to ‘how are you?’ could mean anything from really awful to absolutely amazing!

Anna

Chinese people may present a formal exterior, but we are actually as warm and welcoming, so just ask for help if you ever need help in China (and we don’t have fortune cookies here 😉)

Rachel

‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, an ancient Sanskrit phrase, translating to “The world is one family” aptly emboldens India’s diverse yet coherent traditions.

Vivek

When addressing elders, titles are used instead of first names. To those who are not familiar, it may appear that I have numerous uncles and aunties.

Karen

A table etiquette ‘rule’ to note is that in France the waiter (or host) won’t clear plates at the end of a course unless the entire table is done eating.

Eugenie

In Indian culture, many adults continue to live with their parents in a joint family set-up after marriage and having their own children. This is considered to instill close family ties, a very good environment for young children, avoids feelings of isolation, and ensures support.

Kunal

While I am British, I am also married to an Italian – so I must navigate my phlegmatic stiff upper lip with Mediterranean volcanicity daily – punctuated on either side of the relationship by the encroaching brashness of New York. Sometimes, at the end of the week, the working energy runs out!

Philip

Why do you consider Deallus a culturally diverse workplace?

I love the opportunity to work with my colleagues across the globe – learning about their lives, aspirations and motivations – and especially with CSR activities.

Anna

Organizations are particularly productive if they’re diverse, and if they have a fair amount of women on staff and in management – all amazing qualities that I found in Deallus when I explored options for my next career move a few years ago and settled for this jewel.

Peter B.

I could learn from different perspectives and appreciate how diversity brings creativity, curiosity and collaborative mindset; Dealli have beautiful hearts and souls

Rachel

Deallus feels as an extension of my own cultural values, where every individual in the global offices believes that “whole is greater than the sum of its parts”.

Vivek

Deallus colleagues take a keen interest in understanding and enjoying activities and festivals of various cultures and religions and proactively ensure they support their colleagues during the times of their cultural/religious festivities.

Kunal

I was initially attracted to Deallus owing to the presence of strong female leaders across the business, which was a distinct change from where I’d come from.  When I settled in the business, I appreciated the openness of my colleagues, and the opportunity to visit and work with diverse Global offices. The celebrating and supporting of DEI in the business more is the cherry on the cake.

Philip

Author – Ulrike Meier, Chairwoman

May 2024