CROSS-CULTURE COMMUNICATION

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
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
Four Fundamental Patterns of Cultural Difference
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.
What is effective communication?
The Art, Science and Practice.


Effective Speaking
Effective listening
Understanding peoples perception
CODES USED IN COMMUNICATION

Verbal Communication
Words
Voice
Non-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
differently.
Why Cross Culture
Communication is important ?
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
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.
Verbal Communication Differences
1.Words

2.Voice
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.

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
How can a Gestures distort the message..
A motion of the hands, head or body to emphasize an
idea or emotion.
Perfect! OK! Zero!
Worthless!
Rubbish!
Gestures
USA=OK JAPAN=MONEY
RUSSIA=ZERO BRAZIL=INSULT
How can the same Gestures be treated differently in
different cultures
Gestures Around the World
Western - Do you have a telephone ?
Brazil - Cuckold (Your wife is cheating to you)
USA - 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
Business Attire
Selecting and Presenting Business Gifts
Unwrapping gifts
Saudi Arabia - Gifts are opened in private.
USA - Gifts are opened in public
Appreciated Gifts
I ndonesia - 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 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:
I ndonesia: 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:
I ndonesia: Politics, corruption, criticism of I ndonesian ways, commenting on
I ndonesian customs that you find peculiar, religion

Saudi Arabia: Middle Eastern politics and I nternational oil politics, I srael,
criticizing or questioning I slamic 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, J apan and your contacts in J apan, your host's wife, Personal
family matters

Germany: World War I I , personal questions,
TEN Pre-cautions 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 Slangs
9. Watch the humour
10. Maintain Etiquette
Business in Todays Scenario is not a
National Match but is a
Olympics, where there are
International Players. Only that
Individual / Company can survive
which has done its homework well &
developed its uniqueness.
Faster Rapport Building
Faster Rapport Building
Success Rate
will Increase
Success Rate
will Increase