When I moved to the UK for university, one of the biggest culture shocks I experienced was being asked to address my lecturers by their first names. Coming from Zimbabwe, where addressing elders or people in positions of authority by their titles – such as Professor or Dr – is a sign of respect, this was a foreign concept to me. It took a lot of adjustment to embrace this Western way of communicating. For the first few months, I struggled to understand why I had to call someone by their first name instead of using what, to me, was a respectful title.
I wasn’t alone in this struggle. Many international students from cultures with similar norms of formal address found it equally challenging. We were raised to show deference through titles, and addressing someone by their first name felt overly casual – even disrespectful. Over time, however, I began to understand the reasoning behind this approach. As I got into the habit of calling people by their first names, I noticed that regardless of my position, my opinions and thoughts were not only heard but also valued and taken seriously. This shift gradually built my confidence, allowing me to express myself better despite the age or position of the person I was speaking to.
When I entered the working world, I experienced less of a culture shock because I had already adjusted to this informal style of address during university. However, as a Zimbabwean, I also recognize the value of being able to switch between formal and informal methods of communication. Clients, for instance, may come from diverse backgrounds or may be in different countries. Some may find formal interactions more appropriate as it is already rooted in their cultural norms, while others may prefer informal communication. As consultants, in order to build and maintain strong client relationships, it’s important to develop the skills to navigate both styles.
That said, I’ve also encountered professionals who have struggled with the informality of Western communication norms. How we address each other, whether formally or informally, is deeply rooted in culture. To bridge these gaps, I encourage colleagues to engage in conversations that go beyond work. By genuinely getting to know one another, we can better understand each other’s cultures, fostering a more inclusive and effective work environment.
At Snap, we’re fortunate to have people from a variety of backgrounds. During our diversity forum meetings, we’ve started sharing fun facts, culture shocks, and personal experiences to educate ourselves and celebrate our differences. When I shared my experience about adjusting to the informal address culture, it gave my colleagues insight into the challenges faced by internationals – challenges that are not often spoken about. It also resonated with others who’ve had similar experiences, helping them see the benefits of adapting to informal communication while working in the West.
As we continue these sessions, my hope is that we learn more about one another beyond the scope of our projects. By building genuine relationships, we can create a workplace where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued, regardless of their cultural background. Understanding ,respecting, and celebrating our differences is the first step towards fostering a truly inclusive environment.