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Cross Cultural Communication
CultureCulture is the ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a
particular people or society.A culture is a way of life of a group
of people--the behaviors, beliefs, values and symbols that they
accept, generally without thinking about them, and that are passed
along by communication and imitation from one generation to the
next.
Characteristics of CultureCulture is not inherent, but
learnedCultures are rooted in deep seated beliefsCulture is the
basis for self-identity and communityCultures are dynamic
What is Cross Cultural Communication 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 endeavor to
communicate across cultures.
Problems of Cultural DifferencesPeople in different countries
have different ways to interpret events, they have different
habits, values, and ways of relating to one another. When they come
across, problems pops up.People tend to view their cultural
practices right while other as wrong or peculiar. This is called
ethnocentrism.Gestures and body movements, beliefs and practices
related to human relationships are the two main factors that
impacts communication.
Blocks to Cultural CommunicationEthnocentrism : Inability to
accept another culture's world view; "my way is the best."
Discrimination : Differential treatment of an individual due to
minority status; actual and perceived.e.g., "we just aren't
equipped to serve people like that." Stereotyping : Generalizing
about a person while ignoring presence of individual
difference.e.g., "she's like that because she's Asian all Asians
are nonverbal."
Cultural Blindness: Differences are ignored and one proceeds as
though differences did not exist; e.g., "there's no need to worry
about a person's culture Cultural Imposition: Belief that everyone
should conform to the majority; e.g., "we know what's best for you,
if you don't like it you can go elsewhere."
CULTURAL CONFLICTS IN WORKPLACECultural conflicts arise because
of the differences in values and norms of behavior of people from
different cultures. A person acts according to the values and norms
of his or her culture; another person holding a different worldview
might interpret his or her behavior from an opposite standpoint.
This situation creates misunderstanding and can lead to
conflict.
One Gesture different Interpretations.
Why cross culture is important ?GlobalizationBusiness
opportunitiesJob opportunitiesSharing of views and ideasTalent
improvisationAn understanding of diverse market
Differences to consider in cross cultural communication
Frequency of eye ContactAssertivenessUse of Hands While
TalkingPhysical Distance Between CommunicatorsSpeed of SpeechUse of
First Names vs. TitlesVolume of SpeechUse of Facial Expressions
Potential hot spot in cross culture communicationOpening and
Closing ConversationsTaking Turns During
ConversationsInterruptingUse of SilenceAppropriate Topics of
ConversationKnowing How Much to SaySequencing elements during
conversation
Skills To Overcome DifferencesRespecting Differences and Working
TogetherBuilding Trust Across Cultural BoundariesUnderstanding Body
LanguageConnecting with people
Need for Cross-cultural Communication in BusinessCultural
diversity is perceived quite often around the world with the change
in geography, climate, countries, states, religion, language, race
and gender.For a business to develop in technically competent and
advanced global village, in terms of communication, travel and
transportation, this cultural diversity must be breached.
Purpose of Cross-cultural Communication in BusinessTo create
cultural synergy between people from different cultures within a
business.To avoid problems stemming solely from misinterpretation
when coming across people from different culture and society in the
large expanding business globally.Communicating across cultures
effectively improves your productivity and efficiency
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Tips for Cultural Communication Slow DownSeparate QuestionsAvoid
Negative QuestionsTake TurnsWrite it downBe SupportiveCheck
MeaningsAvoid SlangsWatch the humorMaintain Etiquette
