Preventing fair housing violation mistakes is not difficult; simply learn all you can about the consumer’s culture.  One of the most effective strategies for learning about diverse cultures is to simply ask the consumer to guide you so that you will not inadvertently offend them.  In return, if they are receptive, you might explain American customs to them.

Two important rules

There are two very important rules to observe when learning about other cultures this way:

1. You must never, never refer to the explanation of a cultural difference using derogatory terms such as weird, strange, funny, horrible, etc.  Try to keep in mind that although the custom or practice might be very different to you, that does not automatically make it inferior.  Instead, use words (and gestures and facial expressions) that convey your acceptance of the culture.  Avoid the temptation to instruct them in the American (aka “right”) way to do things.
   
   
2. Your acceptance of their culture must be sincere.  These are going to be individuals who will have been ridiculed and/or condescended to on a daily basis since their arrival in this country.  The longer they have been here, the more ridicule and/or condescension they will have received.  They recognize ridicule and condescension and they are not big fans of either.  They may not openly challenge your attitude (it’s a cultural thing), but they KNOW and will hold it against you.

Voting with their feet

The two rules transcend language, age, gender and all other differences.  If you break either of the rules above you will soon become intimately familiar with the true meaning of “voting with their feet” as they leave you for a salesperson who is more in tune with their interests.  Because you are involved in a learning situation you will usually have a great deal more time and energy invested in working with consumers from cultures different from your own and the loss will be much greater than the loss of a client from your own cultural group.

The preceding was an excerpt from our online course, Federal Fair Housing Laws and Practice. See if the course is approved in your state.