“Why Is He So Calm?” – A Story About Cultural Differences at Work
You’re an American manager in the middle of a jam-packed week. It’s Wednesday morning. You’ve got a major presentation coming up Friday, three reports still pending, and your inbox is overflowing. You’re already at your desk, coffee in hand, ready to tackle the day.
At 9:05 AM, your Latino employee walks in—smiling, relaxed.
He greets everyone warmly: – “¡Buenos días! ¿Cómo están todos?”
He chats briefly with a coworker, heads to the bathroom, and finally settles at his desk around 9:15, seemingly moving at half-speed.
You glance at the clock.
Your inner monologue: “Does he not realize how important this week is? We have a deadline. Why isn’t he rushing?”
You’re starting to feel a mix of frustration and confusion.
He seems calm… too calm.
Now, Let’s Pause: What’s Really Happening Here?
This isn’t about laziness or lack of responsibility. It’s about different cultural lenses—two valid ways of seeing the workplace.
You (the American Manager) come from a:
- Task-oriented culture
- Low-context communication style
- Strong belief in punctuality and efficiency
For you, time is money. Starting five minutes late feels like falling behind. You want direct answers, clear action plans, and visible urgency.
Your Latino employee likely comes from a:
- Relationship-oriented culture
- High-context communication style
- Flexible view of time, where people matter more than the clock
For him, the day starts with connection. Greeting coworkers shows respect and warmth. Rushing in without acknowledging others might seem impolite—or even disrespectful.
He may also assume that if the deadline is Friday, there’s still time—and if something is truly urgent, you’ll tell him clearly. He’s reading tone and body language, not just words.
So What Can You Do?
If you’re the manager:
- Instead of thinking, “He doesn’t care,” try asking: “Hey, can I check in with you on the timeline for Friday’s task?”
- Be direct and clear but keep your tone warm.
- Consider opening meetings with two minutes of casual chat—it builds trust in many Latino cultures.
If you’re the employee:
- Understand that in the U.S. workplace, time is highly structured.
- A quick “hello” is great—but showing urgency when needed is key.
- If you’re unsure how serious a deadline is, ask directly: “Is this a firm deadline, or is there some flexibility?”
Final Thought: It’s Not Wrong—It’s Cultural
What looks like a slow start to one person may be a respectful warm-up to another. And what feels like urgency to one may come across as cold pressure to someone else.
Once we learn to spot these cultural codes, we stop judging—and start collaborating better.
Explore our earlier blog post for more insights into cultural differences here.
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