“You’re being racist by differentiating cultures and their customs!”

This is a sentence my sister said to me when I told her regarding this blog project and that my topic is –
       Improving Intercultural Proficiency and Communication.

After reading a few posts she asked, “How can you be so racist in your examples and stereotype people of other ethnicities”.

I would like to let all people know, who have read my blog posts, that I have not by any means intended to offend or criticize any one, culture, ethnic background, or individual.  I have merely shared a behaviour pattern or a normal custom that has been noted to be persistent in different cultures.

The point is simply to bring to attention the different behaviours and methods of communication practiced in different cultures, so that those who do not know how communication is practiced in other countries may be able to learn it in order to better communicate with the people from whom they differ.

In fact, I have emphasized throughout my posts the importance of acceptance of people from different backgrounds, and tolerance and patience towards other cultures.  Also that we must overcome stereotyping, prejudicing and ethnocentrism as it will only take us back from understanding each other. 

I believe one can reach farther with unity, and unity can only be reached by understanding and accepting one another.

Tolerance and Diverse Workplaces

In order to achieve intercultural proficiency, one must practice tolerance.  The global world is no place for those who are close-minded and perceive themselves as superior.  The global market is becoming increasingly multi-ethnic making tolerance a vital trait to have.

Workplaces are also becoming highly diversified and have started to keep quotas of hiring people from different cultures.  Some job descriptions also state that they require people who “must be able to interact with ethnically diverse personnel”.

Moreover, empathy is also a preferred attribute.  This shows one’s ability to understand an issue or matter through another’s eyes and wanting to reach a common ground.

An example of tolerance is when the cross-cultural business project took place between Germany’s Siemens, Japan’s Toshiba, and America’s IBM.  Scientists from these companies worked together in New York to develop a revolutionary computer chip.  The Siemens employees had been briefed about the North American managers and their “hamburger style” management.  According to the Germans, when managers need to criticize their subordinates they start with small talk like “How are you and how’s the family?” which is the bun on top of the hamburger.  After that comes the meat, which is the criticism.  Finally, they end with encouraging words which is the bun at the bottom of the burger.  The cross-cultural trainer at Siemens mentions, “With the Germans all you get is the meat.  With the Japanese all you get is the buns; in fact you have to smell the meat.”

In other words, Germans are more direct, North Americans are less direct, and the Japanese are very modest.   

Despite such differences in the contexts of their cultures, they managed to work together and accomplish their goals because they accepted the differences between them and adapted by tolerating and empathizing with others and their cultural backgrounds.  Thus, creating a harmonious compromise and ideal workplace.

Check out this Video

In this clip the speaker exemplifies cultural diversity, talks about its awareness, and gives tips for intercultural communication.

What do you think? Can you add or relate to her message?

Intercultural Written Communication

Just like Oral or non-verbal communication, the norm of a country’s way of writing and accustomed written form is important to learn and understand.  In this mode of communication the goal is to figure out the difference in writing style based on cultural behaviour and normal practice.

Low context and high context have a lot to do with writing to someone in another country as this preference would be sure to show in the content of the letter or contract. For example if a high context culture values formality and tradition, those of low context would remember to be extremely polite.  

Another example is, a Japanese writer may start with writing about the weather or season and relate issues and concerns with nature, whereas a North American writer would kindly get to the point efficiently and effectively.  In this case if the North American was trying to get business from the Japanese, it would be smart to incorporate their method of written communication.

Therefore, the faster you acquaint yourself with accepted modes of written communication, the better.

What you need to consider for intercultural written messages:

• Consider adjusting to the local styles.  Learn and apply the organization, format, tone and style your reader may be accustomed to. 
• Use titles, ranks, and last names as in many cultures it is degrading and inconsiderate of one not to mention or care to include a given status. 
• Short sentences and paragraphs should be used so the document can be read easily.  It is said a sentence should not consist of more than 15-25 words. 
• Avoid vague and confusing expressions like certain idioms (a dime a dozen), clichés (worn out expressions excessively used like busy as a bee), slang (props to you), abbreviations (ttul for talk to you later), and jargon.  Incorporate action specific words (ex: sell the product instead of get rid of the product). 
• Be clear. Avoid words with 2 meanings. For example, use return instead of bring back or maintain instead of keep up. 
• Use correct grammar and spelling. Be sure to double check, otherwise it would be an embarrassment considering we are from a country that mostly communicates in English.

Emails, faxes, letters, contracts, written messages, greeting cards, and sms/text messages are some forms of written communication. 

Intercultural Oral Communication

Yes, English has become the language of technology, the language of Hollywood, and the language to know in business and business transactions globally, but the level of proficiency may be limited to those for whom English is a second language.  Therefore, it is wrong to assume that people who speak English may understand everything you say.  This is a very common mistake.

For good quality oral communication to take place with someone from another country and/or culture, it would be wise to consider the following: 

• Learn their language or a few common phrases or greetings to build rapport
• Use simple English with easy words and short sentences and avoid puns and slang as the person you are communicating with may not understand.
• Speak slowly and enunciate clearly. 
• Check for comprehension. Instead of giving a long lecture, pause after every point and make sure you and your audience are on the same page.
• If a misunderstanding occurs, gracefully accept the blame for not being clear. 
• Listen without interrupting.  North Americans are said to listen little and talk too much.
• And be sure to smile when appropriate. This is the most understood and useful form of communication, but be careful as in some cultures excessive smiling means you are being impolite and rude.

Oral communication is the act of expressing your thoughts in words.  Examples are speeches, presentations, announcements, conversations, etc.

 "Good communication does not mean that you have to speak in perfectly formed sentences…..Simple and clear go a long way" – John Kotter

Intercultural Non-verbal Communication

People do business with people who make them feel comfortable and it all comes down to sincerity and good manners. 

When entering a foreign country or communicating with people from different cultures, concentrate on reducing the broadness of your body language until you have the opportunity to observe the locals.  If you're not sure how to be polite in someone else's culture, ask the locals to show you how things are done.

Cultural misinterpretation of gestures can produce embarrassing results and a person's background should always be considered before jumping to conclusions about the meaning of his or her body language and gestures or any means of non-verbal communication.  For example, the thumbs up gesture used to show approval in North America is perceived as extremely vulgar in Iran.

I have found out a simple way to learn and understand cultural body language differences.  You can play foreign films with the sound off, without reading the subtitles and try to work out what is happening.  Then watch again, but with the subtitles this time, to check your accuracy.

The most common modes of non-verbal communication are:

• Eye contact
• Facial expression
• Postures
• Gestures
• The use of time
• The use of space
• The use of territory

Moreover, gestures can create different reactions in different environments.  For example, in Western culture silence is perceived as a negative trait suggesting rejection, unhappiness, depression, regret, or ignorance.  On the other hand, the Japanese admire silence and consider it the key to happiness.

A Japanese proverb says, “Those who know do not speak, those who speak do not know”, relating silence to respect and wisdom.

You want my business? Then speak my Lingo!

A rise in technology has made the world smaller.  We know more about others than we ever did before, and the more we know about others, the more important it has become to understand their cultures and modes of communication.   

This exponential rise in communication has led to the rise of globalization.  Businesses have become more diverse than ever before.  Companies have innovated and changed their products and brand to better suit a variety of preferences for people from different cultures.

Many companies have also reassessed and customized their websites as they go global, speaking to aspired target audiences in their own languages.  I believe that this is the most important factor when it comes to sharing your idea, concept, product, or services with someone who does not understand your language.  If you want to sell your product to someone who doesn’t understand you, you’d better learn their lingo and then attempt to sell.

It is also important to keep the message simple.  Even if it is in English or a local language, it’s best to use simple words easy to understand and easy to translate.

Use the context and style your audience uses when communicating whether it be through advertisement or website development in order to create relativity.

• For high context cultures, fuse in things that relate to culture, religion, family, or daily life.  For example, if you are trying to sell to a party of Indians, incorporate a rich colour scheme like reds, oranges, and purples; add local phrases or puns; use personal life events like weddings to break the ice by emotional appeal.

• For low context cultures, budgeting is vital so more promotions, discounts, and product advantages highlighting comparisons are used. Usually expressions that suggest “we are the best company” or “this is product #1” are used as tactics to attract them.

Low and High Context Cultures

All cultures have a different way of communicating within them.  Some cultures exercise meekness and softness, while others are loud and blunt.  There is a wide variety of communication tactics in our world and it has become more important for all people to understand them.  Globalization is rising greatly making it almost crucial for us to understand different cultures and their communicative customs and behaviours.

Style of communication is a very important aspect as it helps us understand the perspective or meaning behind the words a person may be sharing with us.  Low and high context cultures are those which communicate differently with words.

Low context cultures tend to be logical, analytical, and action oriented.  Protocol in businesses emphasize that messages be conveyed clearly and efficiently. 

For example, in Canada if there is a younger person at a higher position/rank and an older person at a lower position, the younger person would have to give the older person duties to fulfill and it is normal to be in this situation for both people.  But in countries like India, it would be considered extremely rude and the younger person would be viewed as one with no manners and without a proper raising or family background.

High context cultures tend to be more intuitive and contemplative. Communicators pay attention to more than the words spoken.  They read in between the lines, as in focus on non-verbal cues.  For example, a Japanese communicator may say "yes" when he actually means "no".  His tone, the time taken to answer, facial expression, and body language would help you recognize a “no” from a “yes”.

   Low Context Cultures: German, Scandinavian, North American, English, French

   High Context Cultures: Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Arab, Greek, Mexican

 

Is your culture low context or HIGH context?