CROSS-CULTURE COMMUNICATION

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CROSS-CULTURE COMMUNICATION
The reasonable person adapts himself to the
world, while the unreasonable one persists in
trying to adapt the world to himself
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What is a culture?

• Culture is the "lens" through which you view the
  world.
• It is central to what you see,
• How you make sense of what you see,
• How you express yourself.

"Culture is the arts elevated to a set of
beliefs." Tom Wolfe
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Four Fundamental Patterns of Cultural Difference
What is different?
1. Communication Styles
2. Attitudes toward conflicts
3. Decision making style
4. Approaches to knowing
What is hidden below the surface?
1. Beliefs
2. Values
3. Expectations
4. Attitudes
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CODES USED IN COMMUNICATION

• Verbal Communication
• Words
• Voice
• Non-Verbal Communication
• Gestures
• Postures
• Facial Expressions
• Eye Contact
• Vocal Characteristics
• Personal Appearance
• Touch

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Cross Culture Communication
Intercultural Communication is the process of
sending and receiving messages between people
whose cultural background could lead them to
interpret verbal and non-verbal signs differently.
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Why Cross Culture Communication is important ?
Globalization Cross border movement of people,
goods and data brings more and more cultures into
contact with one another and increases the
potential of cross culture communication.

• Business Opportunities
• Job Opportunities
• Improves the contribution of employees in a
  diverse workforce
• Sharing of views and ideas
• Talent improvisation
• An understanding of diverse market

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Verbal Communication Differences
1.Words 2.Voice
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High Context and Low Context Cultures
High Context Culture- Cultures that rely heavily
on non-verbal and subtle situational cues in
communication. Low Context Culture- Cultures
that rely heavily on words to convey meaning in
communication.
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Non-Verbal Communication Differences
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Case In Point Eye Contact
In some cultures, looking people in the eye is
assumed to indicate honesty and
straightforwardness in others it is seen as
challenging and rude.
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Blocks to Cultural Communication
1. Ethnocentrism Inability to accept another
culture's world view "my way is the
best." 2. 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." 3.
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."
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4.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
5.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." 6.Tone
Difference Formal tone change becomes
embarrassing and off-putting in some cultures.

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Skills To Overcome Differences

• Understanding Body Language

• United States of America
• Americans tend to refrain from greetings that
  involve hugging and other close physical contact.
  
• When sitting, U.S. citizens often look very
  relaxed. They may sometimes sit with the ankle of
  one leg on their knee. Arab Countries
• The left hand is considered unclean in the Arab
  countries.
• When sitting, keep both feet on the ground.
• The "thumbs up" sign is offensive throughout the
  Arab world.
• South Korea
• Bows are used for expressing appreciation, making
  apologies and requests, as well as for greetings
  and farewells.
• When the Japanese want to give the impression
  that they are in deep thought, they will
  sometimes fold their arms.

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Things To Remember While Interacting And
Connecting With People
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Business Attire
Business Attire
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Selecting and Presenting Business Gifts
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Selecting And Presenting Gifts

• Unwrapping gifts
• Saudi Arabia - Gifts are opened in private.
• USA - Gifts are opened in public
• Appreciated Gifts
• Indonesia - Gifts, such as tokens memento of
  your country or your company logo
• Turkey - Wine or liquor if you are sure your
  hosts drink alcohol, Candy, pastries Roses,
  Glassware, such as a vase, goblet, or decanter
  make prized gifts
• Gifts to avoid
• UAE - Alcohol / perfumes containing alcohol and
  pork and pigskin products to be avoided
• China - Do not give anything in sets of four or
  gifts that carry the association of death,
  funerals such as clocks, cut flowers, white
• objects.

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Handshake

• How do you do it?
• The handshake should be firm.
• While shaking hands establish eye contact and
  always smile
• The person who initiates the handshake is the
  one who closes it.

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Improving Cross Culture Communication
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Welcome Topics Topics to Avoid during
Conversation
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Welcome Topics during a Conversation

• Welcome Topics of Conversation
• Indonesia Family, travel/tourism, sports,
  praising the local cuisine, future plans and
  success of the group or organization
• Germany Sports--particularly soccer, tennis,
  current events, politics, among those who imbibe,
  beer is often a good topic of conversation

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Topics to avoid during a Conversation

• Topics to Avoid
• Indonesia Politics, corruption, criticism of
  Indonesian ways, commenting on Indonesian customs
  that you find peculiar, religion
• Saudi Arabia Middle Eastern politics and
  International oil politics, Israel, criticizing
  or questioning Islamic beliefs, women/ inquiries
  or complimentary remarks about the female family
  members of your Saudi associates
• South Korea Korean politics/local politics, The
  Korean War, Socialism and Communism, Japan and
  your contacts in Japan, your host's wife,
  Personal family matters
• Germany World War II, personal questions,

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TEN Pre-cautions in Cultural Communication

1. Slow Down
2. Separate Questions
3. Avoid Negative Questions
4. Take Turns
5. Write it down
6. Be Supportive
7. Check Meanings
8. Avoid Slangs
9. Watch the humour
10. Maintain Etiquette

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Business in Todays Scenario is not a National
Match but is a Olympics, where there are
International Players. Only that Individual /
Company can survive which has done its homework
well developed its uniqueness.
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Success Rate will Increase
Success Rate will Increase
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