This presentation summarizes research from the recent volume Getting others to do things: A pragmatic typology of recruitments (and other related outcomes of the supporting ERC MPI Recruitments Project, director N.J. Enfield), comparing how speakers of 8 different languages approach the universal problem of recruiting the collaboration or assistance of others, showing both cross-cultural similarities and differences. After some general and methodological observations, the presentation will focus on specific aspects of interaction in the Cha’palaa language of Ecuador, highlighting questions of cultural diversity in social interaction.