Cultural Differences: Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

The American attitude towards appropriate and inappropriate gender interaction may vary from many cultures of the world. What is proper etiquette between genders in one culture may be considered inappropriate, shocking, or even morally reprehensible and subject to legal action in the United States, in other words, it may qualify as sexual harassment.
What is sexual harassment? Simply put, it is inappropriate (from an American standpoint) behavior when interacting with the opposite sex.
Often, when immigrants and foreign-nationals move to the United States, they have no time to adjust to a new set of rules and socially acceptable behavior. Socially acceptable behavior varies across cultures—what holds right in one society may not be so in another.
Consider this example. It may be normal in some countries to whistle when an attractive woman will pass by. Whistle – is not something you would expect a man to do in American streets or workplace, even if you are a Sophia Loren or Miss America. Men in some countries are notorious for whistling at attractive women in such a manner that would make most American construction workers blush. ... Women in those countries may not take offense at such behavior and even take it as expression of appreciation. As a rule, professional women in the US would not appreciate it. This can be very disturbing and threatening for Northern American women and they may consider this humiliating and discriminating.
Here is another example of two foreign-born male employees working in a warehouse in US. They habitually made inappropriate comments about their female coworker. She filed a complaint for sexual harassment against them and when confronted, they did not have a clue what was that they did wrong. In their country of origin this would be considered normal gender interaction, and no subject to legal action or simple reprimand.
Newcomers to the United States must consider the unspoken rules of gender interaction accepted in this country. Not knowing the rules may have a traumatic effect and even be dangerous from a legal perspective — the employer may be sued for sexual harassment.
Excessively gallant behavior like kissing hands and complimenting on appearance may be viewed as annoying and inappropriate. As a nation, Americans are committed to equal rights for women. For this reason, women are expected to be treated as equal to men.
In the business world, lack of information about etiquette and unspoken rules on gender interaction and norms can create misunderstandings crucial for an individual’s success.