Culture is fascinating!Culture is fascinating! Did you know that many cultures have a special day set aside to honor and celebrate their ancestors who have died? The Mexicans have the Day of the Dead, the Koreans have Hanshik (cold food) and the Vietnamese celebrate death days. These holidays remember ancestors in very warm and celebratory ways. In Vietnam they prepare a big meal and invite members of the family and relatives to get together and talk about the good aspects of the dead person. These cultures, to name just a few, bring food to the graveside of the ancestor, tend the grave and remember the importance and the influences of those who have gone before them. In the U.S. we have a holiday to remember our soldiers on Memorial Day but do not have an official “ancestor’s” day. This practice underscores the important role of the elders in some societies. Age is revered and respected in particular in Asian cultures. This attitude is fairly contrary to our U.S. preoccupation with youth! We in the U.S. are a young country and youth and vigor are viewed as positive attributes. How might this difference affect doing business with other cultures? Global LT’s Cultural Training Programs - Holidays: Mexico/Korea/Vietnam