CROSS-CULTURAL Texts and images by Anuja k Nidhish Simon

Priya p.U Priyanka p.S Sherin Anna Thomas

COMMUNICATION
https://www.slideshare.net/SherinThomas34/cr
osscultural-communication-67734980
CULTURE
AT THE END OF THE COURSE, STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO:
NING OUTCOMES: AT THE END OF THE COURSE, STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO:

A Group which shapes a persons values and identity.

Culture is formed
Race
Ethnicity
Gender
Class & Religion
Country of origin
 Geographic region
COMMUNICATION
Draws on speech patterns, language and non-
verbal messages.
Interactive
CROSS-CULTURAL
COMMUNICATION
is a field of study that looks at how people from
differing cultural backgrounds communicate, in
similar and different ways among themselves, and
how they endeavour to communicate across
cultures.
CROSS-CULTURAL
COMMUNICATION
Important to companies due to the growth of global
business, technology, and the Internet.
 Understanding of how people from different cultures
speak, communicate, and perceive the world around them
Language differences, High-Context vs. Low- Context
cultures, Non-Verbal differences, and power distance are
major factors affecting cross- cultural communication.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Business Opportunities
Job Opportunities
Globalization
Sharing of views and ideas
Talent Improvisation
Understanding of Diverse Market
HIGH VS. LOW-CONTEXT
CULTURES
High-Context Cultures : Cultures that rely heavily
on non-verbal & subtle situational cues in
communication. Ex: North America, Western
Europe
Low-Context Cultures : Cultures that rely heavily
on words to convey meaning in communication.
Ex: Middle East.
MORE ON HIGH CONTEXT
AND LOW CONTEXT CULTURE
High context refers to societies or groups where people
have close connections over a long period of time.
Many aspects of cultural behavior are not made explicit
because most members know what to do and what to
think from years of interaction with each other.
Your family is probably an example of a high context
environment.
EXAMPLES OF HIGH CONTEXT
Small religious congregations
a party with friends
family gatherings
expensive gourmet restaurants and neighborhood restaurants
with a regular clientele undergraduate on-campus friendships
 regular pick-up games
hosting a friend in your home overnight.
LOW CONTEXT CULTURE
Refers to societies where people tend to have many
connections but of shorter duration or for some specific
reason.
 In these societies, cultural behavior and beliefs may
need to be spelled out explicitly so that those coming into
the cultural environment know how to behave.
EXAMPLES: large US airports, a chain supermarket, a cafeteria, a
convenience store, sports where rules are clearly laid out, a motel.
UNDERSTANDING CROSS
CULTURAL COMMUNICATION
VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Use of sounds and words to express yourself.
Includes  Face-Face Communication  Telephone
Communication  Radio / TV
NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Communication through sending and receiving wordless clues
Includes  Eye-contact  Gestures  Touch  Voice
(paralanguage)
EYE-CONTACT
Some cultures, looking people in the eyes is
honesty and straight forwardness and in others
it is seen as challenging and rude
EYE CONTACT
 InUS, if you have good eye contact with a person, it generally
signifies that you are interested in the person.
In Middle East, eye contact is much less common and considered
less appropriate
In many Asian, African and Latin American cultures, extended
eye contact can be taken as an affront or a challenge of authority
In Western Europe, it is considered proper and polite to maintain
almost constant eye contact with another person.
GESTURES
TOUCH
COLOURS
A single color can have many different meanings in
different cultures.
 In Asia orange is a positive, spiritually enlightened, and
life-affirming color.
In US it is a color of road hazards, traffic delays, and
fast-food restaurants.
Green is considered the traditional colour of Islam. It is
also the national colour of Egypt.
COLOURS
Green is a symbol of Ireland; green is a strong
trend in the Irish holiday St. Patrick’s Day.
 White is the traditional colour of bridal dresses in
Western cultures. 
China: blue-coloured gifts are associated with
death
CLOTHING
Traditional clothing is an important part of a region’s history
and identity.
Men tend not to wear suit jackets and ties in Colombia and
the Middle East.
The traditional dress for an Indian woman is a Sari
Gulf countries women's have to wear Pardha & compulsory
for every women who visits Saudi.
Western Countries, the women's can wear what they want
CLOTHING
GREETING
 Bow is the customary greeting in Japan
Westerner’s always start with a handshake
Most Latinos are more accustomed to physical contact.
Even people who know each other only slightly may
embrace when greeting.
 People from France, Spain, Italy, and Portugal greet
friends by kissing on both cheeks.
Indian’s usually collide their hands for greeting others.
GREETING
 
CULTURAL CONFLICTS IN
WORK PLACE
 It arises because of the difference in value and norms of
behaviour from different cultures.
 This situation create misunderstanding and lead to
conflict
DIFFERENT SITUATIONS
Misunderstanding or conflict between different
nationalities, religious or ethnic groups
Cultural ignorance and insensitivity
Lack of awareness of social life style practices.
Miscommunication and misinterpretation.
Perception of illness and treatment.
BLOCKS TO CULTURAL
COMMUNICATION
Ethnocentrism : Inability to accept another cultures
world view. Ex: “ my way is the best way”
Discrimination : Treatment to an individual due to
minority status, actual and perceived. Ex: “we just aren't
equipped to serve people like that.”
Stereotyping: Generalizing about a person. Ex: “she’s
like that …because she is Asian”
BLOCKS TO CULTURAL
COMMUNICATION
Cultural Blindness: Differences are ignored and one
proceeds though differences did not exist. Ex: ‘there is no
need to worry about a persons culture”
 Cultural Imposition: Belief that everyone should
conform to majority. Ex: “we know what's best for you, if
you don’t like it you can go elsewhere”
Tone Difference: Formal tone change becomes
embarrassing and off-putting in some culture.
IMPROVING CROSS-
CULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Overcome Ethnocentrism Write and speak clearly
Recognize Cultural  Improve Communication
Variation Skill
Learn about Cultures  Listen Carefully
Remove Language Barrier Respect Style Preferences
Help others adapt to our
culture
TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE CROSS-
CULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Slow Down Check Meanings
Avoid Negative Questions Be Supportive
Separate Questions Avoid Slang
Take Turns Maintain Etiquette
 Write it Down Watch the Humor
7 PIECES OF PRACTICAL
ADVICE (NANCY G. ABNEY, COMMUNICATING ACROSS CULTURAL BARRIERS)
Don’t assume sameness.
“ Normal” behavior is not universal
“ yes” can mean many things
Don’t assume you were understood
Don’t assume that you understand
You don’t have to like “different” behavior, but try to understand
where it comes from.
Most people do behave rationally; you just have to discover the
rationale