CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION

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CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION
The reasonable person adapts himself to the
world, while the unreasonable one persists in
trying to adapt the world to himself. George
Bernard Shaw
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What is 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 styles
4. Approaches to knowing
What is hidden below the surface?
1. Beliefs
2. Values
3. Expectations
4. Attitudes
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Culture Involves Unwritten Rules for Social
Norms

• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vcKUvKE3bQlY

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COMMUNICATON
Communication is the sending of a message from a
source to a receiver with the least possible loss
of meaning.
THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS
The speaker sends a message that is in some kind
of code. The listener decodes the message and
responds, thereby giving the speaker feedback.
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What is effective communication?

• An Art, Science and Practice

Effective speaking
Understanding peoples perceptions
Effective listening
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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 Cultural 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 is Cross Cultural Communication 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 3. Delivery
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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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In the USA, most effective way to connect with
people is to look them in the eye.
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Most people in Arab cultures share a great deal
of eye contact and may regard too little as
disrespectful.
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In American culture, a certain amount of eye
contact is required, but too much makes many
people uncomfortable.
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In South Asian and many other cultures, direct
eye contact is generally regarded as aggressive
and rude.
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Case in Point Gestures

• A motion of the hands, head or body to emphasize
  an idea or emotion.

How can a Gestures distort the message..
Perfect! OK!
Zero! Worthless!
Rubbish!
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USAOK
JAPANMONEY
RUSSIAZERO
BRAZILINSULT
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How the same gestures can be treated differently
in different cultures . . .
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Gestures Around the World
Argentina - Do you have a telephone ? Brazil -
Cuckold (Your wife is cheating on you.) USA -
Sign for the Texas Long Horns
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Technical Communication Differences in Content

• In China, content should be fact-based, focus on
  long-term benefits for readers.
• In Mexico, South America, and many African
  countries, family backgrounds are of great
  importance, even in business documents.

• In the Middle East, Arabs often value
  negotiating/bargaining.
• In Asian countries, the reputation of the
  writer/company is essential to credibility.
• In Indonesia, the phrase Yes, but actually
  means no when speaking.

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Differences in Organization

• In Arab cultures, documents/meetings start with
  attempts to build common bonds, rather than the
  American way of getting to the point.
• Asians often prefer to start with non-business
  info such as the weather.

• In India, the term thank you is considered a
  form of payment. If someone has done you a favor,
  you should not say thank you in the
  intro/conclusion of an e-mail or letter or you
  will indicate you are paying for the favor.

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Differences in Style

• In China, overt persuasion is rude. Build strong
  relationships instead.
• Arabic style values repetition, and seems
  ornamental to North Americans.
• In Mexico and much of South America, informal
  stylelack of respect.

• In sub-Saharan Africa, readers prefer a win-win
  tone where both sides benefit.
• Some Native Americans prefer the sense that
  everyone had input avoid direct writing style.
• In North America, women are more direct than
  anywhere.

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Differences in Design

• Arabic and some Chinese scripts read right to
  left.
• In some Asian cultures, a white flower or white
  dress can symbolize death.
• Europeans say Americans use too many graphics,
  too much white space.

• Graphs/charts with obvious meanings to Americans
  can baffle international readers.
• When giving presentations in some Native American
  cultures, hand gestures/eye contact should be
  limited/minimized.

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Example Graphic Revised
Created by Program for Appropriate Technology in
Health (PATH)
Goal show nonreaders in Sudan how to prepare
oral rehydration solution for child with diarrhea.
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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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DEVELOPING CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS
"Tact is the ability to describe others as they
see themselves. Abraham Lincoln 
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Skills To Overcome Differences
"To handle yourself, use your head to handle
others, use your heart."   Donald Laird
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Skills To Overcome Differences

• Respecting Differences and Working Together
• Building Trust Across Cultural Boundaries
• Connecting with People

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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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Business Attire
Wear Proper 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 or mementos of
  your country or your company logo are
  appreciated.
• Turkey Give 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 are 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 Cultural 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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Precautions 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 slang
9. Watch humor
10. Maintain etiquette
11. State objectives clearly
12. Use terms consistently
13. Rank issues by importance
14. Minimize adj./adv. use
15. Minimize prep. phrases
16. Highlight actions, deadlines, dates
17. Spell check!

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Communicaiton in todays scenario is not a
National Match but is an Olympics where there
are international players. Only the
individual/organization that has done its
homework well and developed its cross-cultural
ethos can survive.
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Faster Rapport Building
Faster Rapport Building
Listen Carefully Be Polite Research Target
Culture Talk to your Colleagues
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Success Rate Will Increase
Success Rate will Increase
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Source
http//www.authorstream.com/Presentation/jagjyot-
135607-cross-cultural-communication-mba-culture-ma
nagement-new2-education-ppt-powerpoint/