CROSS-CULTURE COMMUNICATION

Understanding Culture

0 Culture is a group which shapes a person’s values and identity . Cultural identities can stem from the following differences : race, ethnicity, gender, class, religion , country of origin, and geographic origin.

0 It is complex system of values, traits, morals, and customs shared by a society.

0 It is a system for creating, sending, storing, and processing information.

Dimensions of Culture

0Context

0 Individualism

0 Communication style

0 Time orientation

Context

0High Context Culture:- Cultures that rely heavily on non-verbal and subtle situational cues in communication.

0Low Context Culture:- Cultures that rely heavily on words to convey meaning in communication.

Low-Context CultureHigh-Context Culture

0 Individualism

0 Individual action and personal responsibility

0Collectivist0Membership, group

teams0Group value, duties,

and decision0 Resist

independence

Individualism0An attitude of independence and freedom

from control.

0 Members of many low-context cultures value

independence and freedom from control.

0 Tradition, ceremony, and social rules are more important in high-context culture

Time Orientation

0North American tend to correlate time with

productivity, efficiency.

0 In other cultures time may be perceived as an

unlimited resource.

Communication Style

0Westerners value a direct, straightforward

communication style.

0 Westerners: sound of words

0 Asian: meaning of words

Cross Culture Communication

0Intercultural 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.

Four Fundamental Patterns of Cultural Difference

CODES USED IN COMMUNICATION0Verbal Communication• Words• Voice

0Non-Verbal Communication• Gestures• Postures• Facial Expressions• Eye Contact• Vocal Characteristics• Personal Appearance• Touch

Non-Verbal Communication Differences

Why Cross Culture Communication is important ?

0 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

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.

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.

Skills To Overcome Differences1. Understanding Body Language.

United States of AmericaAmericans 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 CountriesThe 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 KoreaBows 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.

2. Selecting And Presenting Gifts.

Unwrapping giftsSaudi Arabia - Gifts are opened in private.USA - Gifts are opened in public.

Appreciated GiftsIndonesia - 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 avoidUAE - Alcohol / perfumes containing alcohol and pork and pigskin products to be avoided

3. Handshake

How do you do it?0 The handshake should be firm.0 While shaking hands establish eye contact and

always smile 0 The person who initiates the handshake is the

one who closes it.

Improving Cross Culture Communication