COMPETENCE IN

INTERCULTURAL
COMMUNICATION
z
1.Simplify your
message by using
less complex
sentence
z

structures and
vocabulary.
2. Avoid
shouting to be
understood.
z
3. Define the
meaning of
critical technical
z

words and
acronyms.
4. Avoid non-
standard
abbreviations,
such as “U R” for
z

“you are”.
5. Be patient and try
to follow the other
communicator’s
ideas
z and logic,
which may be
different from
yours.
6. Ask him to repeat
once, maybe twice, or
to say his ideas in a
different
z manner if
you do not
understand him.
7. Remain cool and
composed even when you
have made a mistake that
results in embarrassment for
you or
z feeling embarrassed
by others. In most cases,
they do not mean to
embarrass you.
8. Clarify the meanings and
intentions of something said
or done by someone who
comes from a culturally
different
z background before
you become angry or express
the strong emotions
that you feel.
9. Clarify someone’s actions
or words with the person or
with someone else who has
experience in dealing with
similar cultural groups if you
cannot
z think of any positive

interpretation of the actions

done or words said because
you may be missing
something.
10. Adapt your space
requirements to that of
someone from another
cultural group whenever
possible.
z You can judge
someone’s comfort zone by
the distance to which he
extends his hand in a
handshake.
11. Give the benefit of
the doubt to someone
who does or says
something that seems
weird
z and/or wrong.

Ask yourself: “How else

could I interpret these
words or actions?”