Cross- Cultural Communication PDF

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Purposive Communication...

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Culture  A Group which shapes a persons values and identity.  Culture is formed  Race  Ethnicity  Gender  Class & Religion  Country of origin  Geographic region COMMUNICATION  Draws on speech patterns, language and non- verbal messages.  Interactive CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION  is a field of study that looks at how people from differing cultural backgrounds communicate, in similar and different ways among themselves, and how they endeavour to communicate across cultures.

 Impor tant to

companies due to the growth of global business, technology, and the Internet.  Understanding of how people from different cultures speak, communicate, and perceive the world around them  Language differences, High-Context vs. Low- Context cultures, Non-Verbal differences, and power distance are major factors affecting cross- cultural communication. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?  Business Opportunities  Job Opportunities  Globalization  Sharing of views and ideas  Talent Improvisation  Understanding of Diverse Market High Vs. Low-Context Cultures High-Context Cultures:

Cultures that rely heavily on non-verbal & subtle situational cues in communication. Ex: North America, Western Europe Low-Context Cultures: o Cultures that rely heavily on words to convey meaning in communication. Ex: Middle East. o

CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION

More on high context and low context culture High context  refers to societies or groups where people have close connections over a long period of time.  Many aspects of cultural behavior are not made explicit because most members know what to do and what to think from years of interaction with each other.  Your family is probably an example of a high context environment. Examples of high context  Small religious congregations  a party with friends  family gatherings  expensive gourmet restaurants and neighborhood restaurants with a regular clientele undergraduate on-campus friendships  regular pick-up games  hosting a friend in your home overnight. Low context culture  Refers to societies where people tend to have many connections but of shorter duration or for some specific reason.  In these societies, cultural behavior and beliefs may need to be spelled out explicitly so that those coming into the cultural environment know how to behave. EXAMPLES: large US airports, a chain supermarket, a cafeteria, a convenience store, sports where rules are clearly laid out, a motel. Understanding cross cultural communication VERBAL COMMUNICATION  Use of sounds and words to express yourself.  Includes  Face-Face Communication  Telephone Communication  Radio / TV NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION  Communication through sending and receiving wordless clues  Includes  Eye-contact  Gestures  Touch  Voice (paralanguage) EYE-CONTACT

 Some cultures, looking people in the eyes is honesty and straight forwardness and in others it is seen as challenging and rude  In US, if you have good eye contact with a person, it generally signifies that you are interested in the person.  In Middle East, eye contact is much less common and considered less appropriate  In many Asian, African and Latin American cultures, extended eye contact can be taken as an affront or a challenge of authority  In Western Europe, it is considered proper and polite to maintain almost constant eye contact with another person.

 Men tend not to wear suit jackets and ties in Colombia and the Middle East.  The traditional dress for an Indian woman is a Sari  Gulf countries women's have to wear Pardha & compulsory for every women who visits Saudi.  Western Countries, the women's can wear what they want

Gestures

Touch

COLOURS  A single color can have many different meanings in different cultures.  In Asia orange is a positive, spiritually enlightened, and life-affirming color.  In US it is a color of road hazards, traffic delays, and fast-food restaurants.  Green is considered the traditional colour of Islam. It is also the national colour of Egypt.  Green is a symbol of Ireland; green is a strong trend in the Irish holiday St. Patrick’s Day.  White is the traditional colour of bridal dresses in Western cultures.  China: blue-coloured gifts are associated with death CLOTHING  Traditional clothing is an important part of a region’s history and identity.

Greeting  Bow is the customary greeting in Japan  Westerner’s always start with a handshake  Most Latinos are more accustomed to physical contact. Even people who know each other only slightly may embrace when greeting.  People from France, Spain, Italy, and Portugal greet friends by kissing on both cheeks.  Indian’s usually collide their hands for greeting others.

CULTURAL CONFLICTS IN WORK PLACE It arises because of the difference in value and norms of behaviour from different cultures.

This situation create misunderstanding and lead to conflict Different situations  Misunderstanding or conflict between different nationalities, religious or ethnic groups  Cultural ignorance and insensitivity  Lack of awareness of social life style practices.  Miscommunication and misinterpretation.  Perception of illness and treatment. BLOCKS TO CULTURAL COMMUNICATION Ethnocentrism o Inability to accept another cultures world view. Ex: “ my way is the best way” Discrimination o Treatment to an individual due to minority status, actual and perceived. Ex: “we just aren't equipped to serve people like that.” Stereotyping o Generalizing about a person. Ex: “she’s like that …because she is Asian” Cultural Blindness o Differences are ignored and one proceeds though differences did not exist. Ex: ‘there is no need to worry about a persons culture” Cultural Imposition o Belief that everyone should conform to majority. Ex: “we know what's best for you, if you don’t like it you can go elsewhere” Tone Difference o Formal tone change becomes embarrassing and off-putting in some culture. IMPROVING CROSS- CULTURAL COMMUNICATION  Overcome Ethnocentrism  Recognize Cultural Variation  Learn about Cultures  Remove Language Barrier  Help others adapt to our culture  Write and speak clearly  Improve Communication Skill  Listen Carefully  Respect Style Preferences TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE CROSS- CULTURAL COMMUNICATION  Slow Down  Avoid Negative Questions  Separate Questions  Take Turns  Write it Down  Check Meanings  Be Supportive  Avoid Slang

 Maintain Etiquette  Watch the Humor 7 Pieces of Practical Advice (Nancy G. Abney, Communicating Across Cultural Barriers)  Don’t assume sameness.  “ Normal” behavior is not universal  “ yes” can mean many things  Don’t assume you were understood  Don’t assume that you understand  You don’t have to like “different” behavior, but try to understand where it comes from.  Most people do behave rationally; you just have to discover the rationale...