My coworker is from a different country and never understands what is going on. I have to explain to them a bunch of times what to do and they never ask questions when they don’t understand (cont)

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Bring up the tarrif thingy and see how they respond

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“The tariff thingy”

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Ask them explain to you what they understood after each discussion. Help them get on the same page. I have had great experiences with Chinese origin professionals. Found them to have a great sense of dedication, extremely smart and good team players 👍

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I agree with you! I’ve done that but they just seem to over complicate things. Or they’ll say “do you understand what he meant” and then tell me they’re confused instead of asking. It’s like they’re scared to tell their manager that they didn’t get it.

So I am from China. Hope this helps. When we don't understand something, we nod our heads and hope you move on from the topic. We then try to do figure it out later on our own, but often can't and end up spinning wheels. We also aren't culturally programmed to confront. And we fear you may feel that our asking you to clarify could be seen as you are not doing a good job explaining. So we don't ask for clarifications. Lastly, we don't take feedback well. These are exaggerated descriptions, of course. But you get the idea. So, my suggestions: 1. take them out (we drink a lot), build a rapport so they feel comfortable, which in turn can indirectly encourage them to be open to you about their questions. 2. Demonstrate instead of dictate, then ask them to repeat a bit to make sure they actually got it. 3. Leverage their strengths in the subject and apply your strength to supplement their shortcomings (i.e. open communication). It is a lot of extra work, I know. But that comes with working x-cultures. It will be a rewarding experience at the end. Or if not, at least you get to drink a lot with them. :)

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I’m also from another country and this is spot on with the demonstration thing. Even though I’m from an English speaking country, our English is not the same. This is because we translate directly from our local languages into English so I almost always have a language barrier, not to talk of someone from China. More patience, if they keep coming to you instead of their manager it’s cause they trust you as is the case with my non project senior associate and go to person. It gets better I promise and we will forever be grateful

Continuously rant about FREE HONG KONG until this person rolls themself off the project

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Simplest approach probably to start ignoring them, let them fail and get fired, then the problem goes away

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C1 is right. Be polite but ignore their request or say you are busy

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I’m not their manager and have my own things to do. Also just getting tired of explaining simple things to them and them over complicating things. But I also feel like a dick telling them they should go ask the manager or that they should ask questions when they don’t understand. What can I do?

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Even though I read, write and speak a language, when it’s spoken the tones and speed still throw me off. I always try to remember what my experience must feel like for someone here in the US. Try having a conversation with their person and ask them what they feel their struggling with. Could be the material/work, could be a lack of comparable vocabulary. Never know until you ask.

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I get what you’re saying but it’s like they’re scared to ask their manager to explain things or to repeat it to them. It would be so easy for them to just be like “I don’t get it. Can you explain it again”... manager will literally be like do you have any questions and they’ll say no and then ask me if I understood it.

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I would turn it into an opportunity to highlight you’re ready to be a manager or to be at the next level. Flip the bag.

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What country are they from, and is it strictly the language barrier or something else?

They’re from China. I’m not sure if it’s just that. I used to think it was just a language barrier but I’m starting to think it’s something else.

China 🇨🇳?

Going through the exact same situation with a coworker

I'd set up a meeting with you, them, and the manager just to highlight some of the areas the colleague has expressed a need for additional guidance.
Present it like a collaborative learning opportunity, so you're not saying "here, you deal with them"

Seconded - don’t do this unless they are 100% on board

I can translate for you?

Have you heard about the concept of face in Chinese culture? It might be hard for your coworker to admit when he or she didn't understand something, as it could mean losing face. Same goes for direct confrontation.

Not sure of yalls dynamic but maybe ask them to help you with note taking and compare what they get to yours or just look at what they pulled down. In my experience forcing someone to follow along/pay attention even if gently helps a lottttttttt. Could be self correcting after they realize how behind they were.

If you can’t do that or it doesn’t work I think a frank heart to heart would be my next step. A simple you and them where you say something to the effect of “I’ve noticed you seem to be having some trouble following the meetings, is there anything I can do to help?”, probably too direct but that’s the gist. Try and see if you can help/get clarity on the reasoning. Be careful to not “give” a reason to them, like bringing up the language barrier.

After that I think you might need to have an aside with the manager or just be a dick and tell them to ask the manager, however you’d feel comfortable handling it.

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