U1 L2 Interactive Resource
Page 04
Level C1
By the end of their conversation with Lieutenant Gomez and the bar manager, Anna and Michael had a completely different perspective on the situation. What started as a moment of discomfort turned into an opportunity to learn about Colombian culture. Their initial disapproval transformed into appreciation, and they even expressed approval of the warm and affectionate way locals addressed customers.
However, not all cultural misunderstandings end so smoothly. In many cases, failing to communicate approval or disapproval effectively can lead to frustration, offense, or even conflict. In this section, we will explore strategies for resolving misunderstandings, responding to disapproval, and expressing approval in a way that encourages positive interactions.
Click on each item for more information
Responding to Disapproval in a Constructive Way
When someone expresses disapproval of something we say or do, our reaction can determine whether the situation escalates or is resolved peacefully. The bar manager’s response to Anna and Michael’s concerns is a great example of handling disapproval diplomatically.
Instead of reacting defensively or dismissing their discomfort, he responded with curiosity and patience:
"Oh, lo siento si se sintieron así. Aquí en Colombia es muy común usar expresiones cariñosas con los clientes."
("Oh, I’m sorry if you felt that way. Here in Colombia, it’s very common to use affectionate expressions with customers.")
This response is effective because it:
- Acknowledges the tourists’ feelings ("I’m sorry if you felt that way")
- Provides an explanation instead of a justification ("It’s very common here")
- Invites understanding rather than confrontation
Had he responded more defensively with something like "That’s just how we do things here. If you don’t like it, that’s your problem", the situation might have escalated, making the tourists feel unwelcome rather than reassured.
Encouraging Positive Responses to Approval
Just as it is important to handle disapproval gracefully, knowing how to respond to approval can help build stronger relationships. When Michael and Anna finally understood the custom and expressed their approval— "Now that we understand, we actually find it quite charming!"—the bar manager responded warmly:
"¡Eso es lo importante! Bienvenidos a Cartagena."
("That’s what matters! Welcome to Cartagena.")
This answer reinforced the positive outcome of the conversation and left the tourists feeling accepted.
When receiving approval, consider these responses:
- Acknowledging the approval:
- "I’m glad you feel that way!"
- "That means a lot—thank you!"
- "I really appreciate that."
- Encouraging further engagement:
- "I’d love to hear more about your experiences!"
- "That’s great! Let me know if you have any questions about our culture."
- "I’m happy you liked it—there’s so much more to discover!"
When Approval and Disapproval Coexist
Sometimes, a person may feel both approval and disapproval at the same time. This is where contrastive expressions are useful. These help acknowledge discomfort while showing growth in understanding.
- "At first, we felt uncomfortable, but now we understand and appreciate it."
- "It seemed unusual to us at first, yet now we find it charming."
- "While we weren’t expecting it, we now see it as a kind gesture."
These sentences help bridge the gap between initial misunderstanding and eventual approval, promoting empathy and cultural learning.
How Mixed Conditionals Help Reflect on Approval and Disapproval
Throughout their conversation, Lieutenant Gomez used mixed conditionals to explain how the past influenced the present. This type of structure is powerful when discussing hypothetical situations related to approval and disapproval.
- "If I had known about this custom before, I wouldn’t have been so surprised."
- "If they had explained it earlier, we would have reacted differently."
- "If we had understood the meaning, we wouldn’t have thought it was inappropriate."
These sentences all reflect on how past knowledge (or lack of it) influenced present emotions and reactions— exactly what happened in the Cartagena bar.
Key Takeaways
- Responding to disapproval with patience and explanation helps to avoid conflict.
- Receiving approval with warmth and openness encourages positive relationships.
- When opinions shift from disapproval to approval, contrastive expressions help to explain the change.
- Mixed conditionals are useful for reflecting on how past experiences shape current perceptions.
Anna and Michael left the bar with a new perspective, feeling more connected to Cartagena’s culture.
For Lieutenant Gomez, the experience reinforced the importance of cultural sensitivity, effective communication, and the ability to mediate misunderstandings.