by Greg Mundis

Host or a Guest?

Arriving at the Czech/Polish border from Vienna after a five hour drive was good thing. Making our way to the church where the church conference was being held and being able to get out of the car and walk was even better.

I went through the doors to be greeted by a church member designated to be in charge of visitors.  He got us to the registration table, and there we received our badges. Imagine my surprise when I looked at the badge and it said HOST—Greg Mundis!

How could I be a host? I didn’t know the agenda for the meeting. I don’t speak the Czech language. I don’t know all the hundreds of people attending. How could they ask me to be a host?

My colleague, Jim Sabella (Central Europe area director), who had lived in Prague for 10 years, calmed my nerves. He explained that the word for guest in the Czech language is HOST. As I entered the sanctuary I sat on the last row. You guessed it—reserved for HOSTS. 

What a difference language can make. 

Here are some lessons I learned that day from this little experience: 1) What is said is not always what is meant. 2) Effective communication requires deciphering the intent of the speaker and confirming it with feedback. 3) Cross-cultural faux pas happen quite regularly, but misunderstandings happen in my native language, too. 4) The last lesson learned? Seek to understand as well as to be understood.

Have a good day!

Sincerely,

Greg Mundis
AGWM Europe Regional Director

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