Each of us is exposed to people from other cultures on a regular basis, in the workplace, in our social activities, at school, or even within our families. Our culture hinders us from getting our message across as well receiving the full message that others want to convey to us. This article expound on three aspects: what culture is, the main causes for cross-cultural misunderstandings, and the attitudes and skills that we need to communicate cross-culturally.
When we think about culture we first think about a country, and particularly about its food, art, customs, and patterns of behavior. These are the outward manifestations of a system of values, assumptions, and deeply rooted beliefs. Culture emerges as a group of people face and then react to the challenges of life. The responses to those challenges that are successful are taught and shared among members of the group and are passed on from the older to the younger members. Culture is then learned through experience.
You can think of culture as having three levels:
? The top level is the outward manifestations, the artifacts: visible behavior, art, clothing and so on.
? In the middle level are the values. These are invisible rules that cause the artifacts
? The most powerful dimension of culture is the implicit cultural assumptions. These assumptions lie so deep that they are never questioned, stated or defended
Culture also exists among Americans, but what are the implicit cultural assumptions of Americans? Some of the most distinctive characteristics of the American culture are: individualism, equality, competition, personal control of the environment, self-help concept, action orientation, informality, directness, practicality, materialism, and problem-solving orientation.
These American values and deeply rooted beliefs are very different from other country's values and beliefs. The implicit cultural assumptions of Americans are often opposed to those of other cultures. When individuals from different cultures run into each other's values and beliefs, cross-cultural misunderstandings take place.
People constantly interact with people who have similar views and who reinforce their beliefs. To be able to distinguish between the in-group and the out-group is of central importance for individuals because it allows them to find an identity as to who they are and who they are not.
In the book entitled Cross Cultural Encounters , Brislim states: "If individuals have out-groups whom they can blame for troubles, the in-group is then solidified since there is a common goal around which to rally." Later on he says: "Individuals become accustomed to reacting in terms of in-group and out-groups. They continue to use such distinctions when interacting with people from other cultures whom they do not know."
This in-group/out-group distinction provides us with the basis for ethnocentrism, which is the tendency to interpret and to judge all other groups, their environment, and their communication according to the categories and values of our own culture. We are guilty of ethnocentrism when we hold that our view of the world is the right one, the correct one, and the only one.
We are all familiar with stereotyping, which is one of the most serious problems in intercultural communication. Our tendency to hold beliefs about groups of individuals based on previously formed opinions, perceptions, and attitudes is often a defense mechanism, a way of reducing anxiety.
There are many other causes of cross-cultural misunderstanding: lack of trust, lack of empathy, and the misuse of power. All of us know what they are about and the turmoil that they cause. But, how can we do a better job at communicating among cultures?
The same skills that we need to communicate in general apply to cross-cultural communication. Lets look at some of those skills:
Know yourself: Identify your attitudes, your opinions, and the biases that we all carry around. Identify your likes, your dislikes, your prejudices, and your degree of personal ethnocentrism.
Take time: Listen to the other person and allow him or her to accomplish their purpose. Don't jump to conclusions. Some times we finish the thoughts and ideas of the other person before he or she has finished talking. Some cultures non-verbal styles call for periods of silence and long pauses.
Encourage feedback: Feedback allows communicators to correct and adjust messages. Without feedback we cannot have agreement. First we must create an atmosphere where others are encouraged to give us feedback. Again, don't be afraid of silence. It could be the appropriate feedback at times.
Develop empathy: The grater the difference between us and others, the harder it is to empathize. To develop empathy we must put ourselves in the other person's place. By becoming more sensitive to the needs, values, and goals of the other person, we overcome our ethnocentric tendencies.
Seek the commonalities among diverse cultures: Despite our cultural differences we are all alike in many ways. We need to seek that common ground to establish a bond between ourselves and the rest of humanity.
Although our own ethnocentrism might have hindered us from getting to know people from other cultures, let us be more than ever committed to help ourselves and others overcome the barrier that culture creates. Let us endeavor to minimize the occurrences of cross-cultural misunderstandings as we develop the attitudes and the skills that are needed to communicate cross-culturally.
Dori Kelsey is owner operator of spainexchange. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Spring Arbor College (Michigan) in Management and Organizational Development, and a Master of Liberal Studies from The University of Toledo (Ohio). Through her 25-year career in the United States she acquired professional experience in the fields of international education, employment and training, and human resources development along with effective skills in the development and coordination of programs and the provision of services to foreign nationals.
As owner operator of SpainExchange, she has developed educational tours of Spain, school exchanges, and spainexchange for various schools, universities and educational services. All programs have successfully met the clients' objectives as they provided relevant learning as well as enjoyable activities for the participants.
Rolling Meadows Cadillac Escalade rental .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareDo you dream of being on Oprah Winfrey's television show?... Read More
One study found that as many as 90% of the... Read More
Although I still believe there is a place for advertising... Read More
Being invited to appear on radio and television used to... Read More
You never know when 60 Minutes will knock on your... Read More
Created properly, an extremely effective marketing tool.It's a great concept,... Read More
Attention: Who Else Wants To Get Publicity Whenever You Want... Read More
Many of my clients have had the misguided perception that... Read More
In this great country of ours, there are basically three... Read More
Advice about business and life often gets around to one... Read More
And hurt bad if you are a business, non-profit or... Read More
It doesn't matter how cruel the reality programs get, there... Read More
New business owners often miss out on publicity opportunities because... Read More
Financial planners, the first thing to know about reporters is... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, do you see... Read More
Leaders in the business world need public relations big time,... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, let the tacticians... Read More
What's a Capability Statement?As the name suggests, it tells potential... Read More
Be a ResourceThe media people that are likely to want... Read More
Individual financial planners can outscore bigger competitors and gain market... Read More
How much more fundamental can you get than this? As... Read More
Recently I had a craving for... Read More
Publicity seekers know that Christmas can provide a bonanza of... Read More
PRESIDENT BUSH TELLS A STORYOn March 18, 2005, President Bush... Read More
And not results you can measure only in terms of... Read More
Des Moines rental limo ..HOW TO BE RELAXED AND EFFECTIVE ON-AIRHow does one stay... Read More
You never know when 60 Minutes will knock on your... Read More
If your reading this, you must be online and most... Read More
Although it seems less common these days, there are still... Read More
Talkback radio offers a fantastic opportunity to access thousands of... Read More
Another way to really become known in your area is... Read More
As the comedian Steve Martin once said, "some people have... Read More
Once considered the stepchild of the publishing industry, custom publishing... Read More
True, because department, division or subsidiary managers for a business,... Read More
1. Appearing in other types of media is the best... Read More
At the core of any successful public relations campaign is... Read More
Leaders in the business world need public relations big time,... Read More
You have been if you're a business, non-profit or association... Read More
You do not have to hire a publicist or advertise... Read More
What a shame! Potentially productive public relations people resting on... Read More
Public relations and news releases are synonymous in the minds... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, you'll know it's... Read More
In last year's animated film Shrek II, a giant gingerbread... Read More
When most people think of media relations, they think of... Read More
Have you fantasized about spreading word of your business on... Read More
To survive in business, you've got to focus your attention... Read More
Public relations is popular because it is very cost-effective and... Read More
What's REALLY potent for a business, non-profit or association manager... Read More
When your public relations results pretty much depend on whether... Read More
The easiest way to meet city council members is to... Read More
Public Relations |