Helping people cross unfamiliar cultural boundaries can be a minefield. We've all been in situations in which we've been afraid to speak from fear either of being "politically incorrect" or of seeming "hypersensitive" to issues of racism, sexism, classism, or homophobia. In this workshop, we'll discuss how to begin and carry through meaningful crosscultural dialogues while preventing recrimination and hurt feelings. You'll learn how to address and defuse offensive, insensitive comments while remaining in conversation with those making them, as well as how to participate in intense, diversity-related discussions without losing your cool, attacking people, or cutting anybody off. You'll leave with a working knowledge of the "personal" hot buttons and invisible wounds that impede people's ability to remain calm and receptive during "loaded" exchanges.