CROSS-CULTURE COMMUNICATION MANAGING CULTURE SHOCK

The reasonable person adapts himself to the world, while the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself

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

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

COMMUNICATON
Communication is the sending of a message from a source to a receiver with the least possible loss of meaning. 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.

What is effective communication?

The Art, Science and Practice.
Effective Speaking Understanding peoples perception Effective listening

CODES USED IN COMMUNICATION

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

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 NONDIFFERENTLY. DIFFERENTLY.

Why Cross Culture Communication is important ?

Globalization: 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. 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

Verbal Communication Differences

1.Words 2.Voice

High Context and Low Context Cultures

High Context Culture:- Cultures that rely heavily on nonCulture:nonverbal and subtle situational cues in communication. Low Context Culture:- Cultures that rely heavily on Culture:words to convey meaning in communication.

Non-Verbal Communication Differences

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.

In USA, the cheapest, most effective way to connect with people is to look them into the eye.

"Most people in Arab culture share a great deal of eye contact and may regard too little as disrespectful.

In English culture, a certain amount of eye contact is required, but too much makes many people uncomfortable.

In South Asian and many other cultures direct eye contact is generally regarded as aggressive and rude.

Case in Point : Gesture

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!

USA=OK

JAPAN=MONEY

RUSSIA=ZERO

BRAZIL=INSULT

How can the same Gestures be treated differently in different cultures

Gestures Around the World

Western Brazil USA

- Do you have a telephone ? - Cuckold (Your wife is cheating to you) - Sign for the Texas Long Horns

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.

DEVELOPING CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS

"Tact is the ability to describe others as they see themselves. Abraham Lincoln

Skills To Overcome Differences

"To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart." Donald Laird

Skills To Overcome Differences

Respecting Differences and Working Together

Skills To Overcome Differences

Building Trust Across Cultural Boundaries

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.

Skills To Overcome Differences

Connecting with people

Things To Remember While Interacting And Connecting With People

Business Attire

Selecting and Presenting Business 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 Candy, prized Turkey - Wine or liquor if you are sure your hosts drink alcohol, pastries & Roses, Glassware, such as a vase, goblet, or decanter make 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.

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.

Improving Cross Culture Communication

Welcome Topics & Topics to Avoid during 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

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,

TEN Pre-cautions in Cultural Communication Pre-

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Slow Down Separate Questions Avoid Negative Questions Take Turns Write it down Be Supportive Check Meanings Avoid Slangs Watch the humour Maintain Etiquette

Business in Todays Scenario is not a National Olympics, International Match where Players. but there Only is a are that

Individual / Company can survive which has done its homework well & developed its uniqueness.

Faster Rapport Building

Success Rate Success Rate will Increase will Increase

Culture Schock and Change Management

How to adatp to international exchange experience succesfully

4 stages of culture shock: Initial Euforia Irritability and hostility Gradual Adjustment Adaptation and biculturalism

O Happiness i Time Span

Symptoms of Culture Schock Anxiety Helplessness Depression Self Doubt Feelings of inadequacy Homesickness Boredom Fatigue Paranoia Physical Aliments

WQithdrawal symptoms Physical or/and psychological Withdrawal Excessive sleeping/reading Only seeing other Americans Short attention span Diminished productivity Inability to work effectively Agressive symptoms Compulsive eating/drinking Exaggerated cleanliness Irritability Stereotyping

Verbal/physical agressiveness Hostility towards host nationals

How to overcome? 1. Keep busy and active 2. Establish strong friendship with people from the host culture 3. Make a list of positive things about the culture and look through it occasionally 4. Realize that everyone who goes abroad experiwences culture schock 5. Be an evid lerner about the country. Find out all the information you can 6. Try to trace every strange action to its underlying values

FInd someone from your country that has been there longer. Use that person to gain perspective Avoid foreigners that spend their time complaining about the host culture. Avoid critisizing the host culture yourself. WOrk at maintaing a healthy sense of humour. Be ready to laugh at yourself. When talking about experiences focus on your feelings rather than the causes

Change management Exploring personal change (what was susccesful, frustrating?) 1. Needs a learning process 2. Appreciation the reason for change 3. Avarness of new Values 4. Being flexible and adaptable 5. Realize the Flow there will be frustration 6. Makes you realize what you really need in life 7. It`s a challenge- look for fun learning opportunities 8. Have to change other people

9. Have to want to change yourself 10.

CHANGE EQUATION F(V,D,S)>R V-vision of the future D-Dossatisfaction of the current situation S- knowledge of the firsst few steps to take R- Cost of resistance/resistance to change Human response to change

Culture shock natural occurence but with a preparation can be lessened Change management- learning process have to want to change to achieve and manage change