Cultural Barriers
Different places around the world have different cultural norms. Each norm can express a variety of things such as emotional or behavioral constraints. These constraints can prevent parties from communicating with each other when it is most necessary. The most common barriers are language and religion. Differences in language can take two human beings and put them in a situation where they are incapable of talking to one another. Traveling in a country that speaks a different language can leave one feeling lost. Religion is much more difficult to overcome. A Christian traveling in a Muslim country, or vice versa, many not understand the traditions and therefore might offend others with certain actions or words. In order to prevent these obstacles from getting in the way, it is important to research do some research on the different cultures you will be in contact with.
Some significant cultural barriers in a virtual team are differences in time zones, work hours, and types of communication used and availability of technology. Differences in time zones make it challenging to facilitate and coordinate meetings which leads into the barrier of different work hours. In some countries it’s normal to take 2 hour lunch breaks while in others it’s normal to work 12 hour days, whatever necessary to get the job done. Some start work at 8:00am, while others 10:00am, and so on. Lastly, I combined types of communication and availability of technology together because if a certain platform that you may prefer to work on is unavailable for one of your team-mates then you must consider finding a different source of technology to communicate.
In our team alone we are all from different cultural backgrounds and this can be a pro and a con. The pro being we learn from each other and use of difference to foster new and improved ideas to help complete the given task. The con being language and unspoken mannerism differences. Finding a common communication ground and implementing team norms will help the team prosper.
Here are a few things that will help break down cultural barriers and seem to be a universal language. Something everyone can agree on: Music & Food
PIZZA
Making Pizza Dough
Dough making has been known to humans since ages now, but mastering the art to make perfect pizza dough can be a bit cumbersome sometimes. At home, Pizza dough is prepared by hands, no special machinery is required. However to prepare hand-made dough you will need to have a large mixing bowl, a measuring cup, measuring spoons, a large whisk or wooden mixing spoon and some kitchen film before you start. It will be better if you also keep a small hand towel ready before starting the process.
Ingredients:
1 – 1/4 Oz Envelope – Active dry yeast, (or 2 1/4 Tsp)
1 1/2 Cups – Warm water (110°F – 115°F)
4 Cups – Bread flour
1 1/2 Tsp. – Salt
2 Tbsp. – Extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp. – Sugar
Extra flour
Extra olive oil
Process
Pour the warm water in a large mixing bowl, then add the sugar and dissolve it. Next, dissolve the yeast by stirring continuously after addition. Allow the mixture to settle down for 10 minutes or extra so that the yeast becomes active.
Now add the yeast and olive oil, when the appearance of the mixture becomes foamy and cloudy at the surface. Dissolve it continuous stirring. Then add 3 cups of flour to the mixture one-by-one and whisk in until dissolved completely. Make sure the mixture is completely smooth. Use your hands to combine the dough until all of the dry flour has moistened into a mass.
When the flour has absorbed all of the moisture and congealed into a firm mass, remove it from the bowl to a floured tabletop to knead it. Fold it in half again and push it into itself, again and again for perhaps 10 to 12 minutes or so, or about 200 cycles. It is very important that the dough is very well kneaded.
After kneading is complete, when dough transforms into a silky, smoothly-textured ball, coat the dough ball with a thin layer of olive oil. After that place it in the bottom of a large mixing bowl that has also been coated on the inside with olive oil.
Now comes the step on panning the prepared pizza dough. One of the most demanding of the pizza maker’s many challenges is getting the raw pizza dough ball into a pizza pan. The panning of pizza can be done by various methods as per your convenience. The popular methods are Pizza dough sheeting, pizza dough pressing, hand tossing pizza dough- do it only if you don’t get hazy when catching, hand pressing pizza dough, and last is pin rolling pizza dough.
Making Pizza Sauce
Normally at home, we recommend using tomato sauce only which is lightly herbed with oregano and basil. Some pizza lovers prefer to have even simpler sauce than this, however tomato sauce is the simplest to prepare at home.
Ingredients:
3 Tbsp. – Butter
16 Oz. – Can of tomato puree
3 Tbsp. – Olive Oil
1 Tsp. – Salt
3 Cloves – Garlic, minced
1/4 Tsp. – Black Pepper
3 Large – Yellow onions, minced
1 Tsp. – Whole oregano
2 Qts. – Canned whole Italian tomatoes
1 Tsp. – Whole basil
Process
Melt the butter with olive oil in an oven or large skillet. Now slowly but completely sauté the garlic and onion. Then add the tomatoes, salt, pepper, oregano, basil and puree. Boil it.
Cover the mixture and let it bubble for two hours. In between, stir it occasionally. Crush the tomatoes with the masher. Continue the process till the sauce reaches the consistency of a soup.
Set the sauce aside to cool before applying it to your pizza dough, or, or refrigerate it for use in the future.
Pizza Topping
Ladle about 7 to 8 oz. of pizza sauce into the middle, bottom of the dough shell. Spread the sauce evenly over the surface of the dough sheet. Spoon the sauce out to the edge of the dough sheet. Leave a small margin on the outer-side of the dough sheet, which allows the crust to rise and crisp more quickly than the covered dough; creating the classic, puffed up edge of the pizza.
Now create a layer of the shredded cheese over the sauce. Shred about two cups of cheese. Arrange your toppings over this layer of cheese.
Add toppings according to your preference.
Baking the Pizza
Preheat your oven up-to the temperature of 450° F for about 10 to 15 minutes. When preheating is done, place a prepped pizza in the oven at the centre. Place the pan in the oven such as there is maximum circulation of air around the pan. The baking will take about 10-15 minutes at that temperature.
Signs to look for that the pizza is ready are:
1) The cheese has melted on top and is beginning to brown.
2) The crust edge has browned, from a medium to a golden brown.
3) Now carefully lift the edge of the pizza to inspect its bottom, it should be evenly brown.
If these signs are evident, your pizza’s done! Thus now you are ready to throw regular pizza parties of your home made pizza to your friends and family.
