GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR COMMUNICATING IN A MULTICULTURAL CONTEXT

❖ Avoid asking inappropriate or personal questions.

❖ Avoid stereotyping or generalizing certain groups. Keep an open mind and be flexible.
❖ Avoid using jargon, clichés, highfalutin terms, technical terms, acronyms, and gender-biased
language.
❖ Be sensitive, polite, tactful, and respectful at all times particularly in relation to cultural
practices, attitudes, and beliefs. Learn and understand the value of diversity.
❖ Develop intercultural communication skills.
❖ Eliminate, gender –biased words or sexist language particularly in writing. Refer to the ways on
how to avoid gender-biased language listed in the previous slides.
❖ In case you do not get the message conveyed by the person you are communicating with,
request him/her to repeat the message or simplify it.
❖ Learn and observe physical distance or space in dealing with other people . In some cultures,
shaking hands and hugging may not be appropriate.
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❖ Listen attentively when others are speaking.
❖ Observe patience in listening to other people’s ideas, which may not be the same as yours.
❖ Pay attention to your non-verbal communication. Learn non-verbal cues of other cultures.
❖ Respect a person ‘s rights to confidentiality and privacy.
❖ Show consideration.
❖ Speak gently and politely; never shout to be understood.
❖ Stay calm, cool, and composed when you make a mistake or feel embarrassed by others.
Culturally, others do not mean to embarrass you.
❖ Make positive interpretations of the actions and words of other people.
❖ When you feel strange or uncomfortable about something being communicated by other
people, request them to clarify their meanings and intentions before you express your emotions
and ideas.
➢ It is always challenging to deal with people from different cultures. The challenge lies in the way
of understanding not only the verbal code but also the non-verbal code.