Intercultural Communication

We can adequately cross-intercultural communication bridges and barriers. It is essential, of course, to be willing and able to acknowledge, identify and deal with both their positive and negative aspects.

We need to learn what to say and do, and how to say and do it. For success, we focus on what people expect and interpret from their positions…. And ours.

Intercultural communication is most effective when some essential keys are used:

  • We have empathy for the feelings, values, needs, and insights of others.
  • Our communication is positive and pleasant, an evidence of our goodwill and sincerity.
  • Humility helps us learn from others and from our own experience.
  • When feasible, we use the language and manner of expression of the other people.
  • We show who we are, inoffensively. We pay the price of research and reap the reward.
  • Our praise is appropriate and sincere. We use caution if the criticism is necessary.
  • Where possible, we suspend judgment until all the facts are in — especially during conflict.
  • Our demonstration of trust is exemplified by keeping our word.
  • Essentially, we keep the confidence of those with whom we communicate.
  • We become increasingly aware of and continually use feedback received from other persons and other sources to make communication complete.

Interpersonal communication between people whose cultures and life experiences are very different requires special skills. An understanding of the other person’s ways of thinking, living and communicating is basic.

Knowing That North Americans Feel Like This And That Many Other Cultural Viewpoints May Be What Can You Do To Make Interaction Pleasant?
1.     Americans are accustomed to many things which are considered luxuries in other lands In many cultures, you will be considered “rich” simply because you are an American POSSIBLE RESPONSE:
You will be required to modify your lifestyle to conform to circumstances and comforts available.  Suspend judgment and be patient with necessary limitations.
2.     Americans believe that in large part they can create their own destiny; that a person can achieve what he/she is willing to plan, sacrifice and work for. The people of many cultures believe that people have very little to say about what comes in life; that fate deals out what is in store for them.  It is proper to accept one’s fate without question. YOU CONTINUE…
3.     Americans are competitive and aggressive and admire those who achieve success through hard work. Some cultures consider it inappropriate or impossible for one to alter the social position or status into which he/she was born.
4.     Americans of all social classes engage in physical labor. Many consider manual labor demeaning.
5.     There is a great emphasis on looking, acting and feeling “young”.  The old are often cared for in nursing homes. Gray hair is considered a symbol of wisdom and the elderly are greatly respected and honored.

HOW OTHERS SEE NORTH AMERICANS

Can you cope with how the people of other cultures view North Americans and help others understand you so you can communicate with them?

Many others see North Americans as

CARELESS: (with dress, possessions, time, money, rules, manners, ceremonies, nature, relationships, politics, and more)

GENEROUS / HOSPITABLE: (as victors in war, as neighbors, as UN benefactors, as friends in time of need)

SELF-INDULGENT: (pursuing “material happiness”)

SENTIMENTAL / ROMANTIC: (prone to extremes in emotional expression; open)

CONFIDENT and SELF-CONFIDENT: (even brash, yet demand almost too much of themselves)

COLONISTIC: (ethnocentrically imperialistic; disregard for other systems; overly proud of own system)

MATERIALISTIC: (usually honest; ambition and “success” seem paramount)

COMPLACENT yet ARROGANT: (peculiarly ethnocentric, embarrassingly so; misunderstand “honor”)

COMPETITIVE yet EQUALITARIAN: (a paradox to most in children-to-adult varieties; class and “rank” may be temporary; no real aristocracy)

RESOURCEFUL: (combining all of the above; lovers of “common sense” and “results,” inventions, innovations, and flexibility; “now” oriented)

INDEPENDENT and DIFFERENT: (individually feeling not to “fit the mold” but fiercely defensive if encroached upon within it)