Cross Cultural Communication A Business Need For Today

By : Palak Jain Supriya Daule Ruchi Sagre Supriya Patil Sagar Khatal Hiral Borse Jayshil Suvarna

What Is Cross Cultural Communication ?

Cross-cultural communication is a process of exchanging, negotiating, and mediating one's cultural differences through language, nonverbal gestures, and space relationships. It is also the process by which people express their openness to an intercultural experience.

Need of Cross Cultural Communication..

Cross cultural communication is critical to the business world. The diversity of people in cities and countries means an element of cross cultural communication will always be needed whether it is between staff, colleagues, customers or clients. Awareness of cultural differences can favourably impact the success of a business. Hence for the effective Business Management Cross Cultural Communication is essential. The Cross Cultural Communication includes following aspects. Listening Skills Speaking Skills Observation Patience Flexibility Following these five cross cultural communication needs will allow for improved lines of communication, better cross cultural awareness and more successful cross cultural relationships.

 Notions are nothing but the style of expressing our beliefs.

An individual's conception or impression of something known, experienced, or imagined.

Its an theory or belief held by a person or group. So notions play an important role in describing the general beliefs in the certain area, state,country or continient. Notions refers to the basic likes & dislikes of the people.

 A gesture is a form of non-verbal communication in which visible bodily actions communicate particular messages, either in place of speech or together and in parallel with spoken words. Gestures play a major role in many aspects of human life. Gesturing is probably a universal; there has been no report of a community that does not gesture. Gestures are a crucial part of everyday conversation such as chatting, describing a route, negotiating prices on a market

 Etiquette is a code of behaviour that delineates expectations for social behaviour according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group. The etiquette of business is the set of written and unwritten rules of conduct that make social interactions run more smoothly. In simple words the etiquettes can be said as set of rules which define a person to be gentlemen in society.

Aspects to be considered in CCC

Culture Kinesics Cross cultural negotiations Etiquettes

ITALIAN CULTURE
Italy is no exception. Just as you would prepare your presentation before a big meeting, it's important to prepare yourself by understanding the Italian customs, protocol and etiquette in a business setting.

CONTD
Because Italy is a highly individualistic society, one that emphasizes family ties and individual responsibility, Italians generally prefer doing business with someone they know or have been introduced to. Try to avoid scheduling meetings in August as this is a hectic time for businesses due to their employees taking time off for the summer holidays.

INDIAN CULTURE
India's languages, religions, dance, music, architecture, food and customs differ from place to place within the country, but nevertheless possess a commonality. India is the only country in the world to have so many religions and beliefs.

 The culture of India is an amalgamation of these diverse sub-cultures spread all over the Indian subcontinent and traditions that are several millennia old. Several elements of India's diverse culture such as Indian religions, yoga and Indian cuisine have had a profound impact across the world

AFRICAN CULTURE
Africa is a multicultural country.There are over 2000 languages . African culture has always placed emphasis on personal appearance and jewelry has remained an important personal accessory

KINESICS

KINESICS
Kinesics is the interpretation of body language such as facial expressions and gestures or, more formally, non-verbal behavior related to movement, either of any part of the body or the body as a whole.

Kinesics in Italian Culture

Long handshakes. In greeting, warm hugs and kisses are common. Italians use body language and hand gestures to punctuate an expression and give it a shading that the word or phrase itself lacks.

 The Italian hand gestures illustrated here are some of the more common gestures that are recognized in the country. Andiamo a dormire.

English translation: Let's go to sleep.

 C' da fare o no?...

Mi d un passaggio?

Yes or no?

Can you give me a ride?

INDIAN KINESICS
Namaste, namaskar or Namaskara or Namaskaram, Vanakkam (Tamil) or Sat Shri Akal (Punjabi) is a common spoken greeting or salutation in the Indian subcontinent. Namaskar is considered a slightly more formal version than Namaste but both express deep respect

 . However, the same hands folded gesture is made usually wordlessly upon departure. Taken literally, it means "I bow to you". As explained by an Indian scholar, in literal terms Namaste refers to 'That which is of God in me bows to that which is of God in you'.Also in orthodox families, youngster are taught to seek the blessing of their elders by reverentially bowing to their elders.

AFRICAN KINESICS
Pointing The people of africa point with the chin while looking in the direction they indicate It is impolite or even rude to point with the index finger as Indian peoples do.

Eyes
In most cultures of Africa ,you do not traditionally look directly and intently at the person you are talking to. Bowing Often a handshake of any of the many varieties different tribes may use is accompanied by a slight bowing or tilting slightly forward or bowing the head

ETIQUETTE
Etiquette is a code of behavior that influences expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group. Etiquettes differ from country to country and region to region so one should be very careful in understanding them before interacting with the people of the respective cultures.

DINNING ETIQUETTE
In Italian, etiquette is generally called galateo. If an invitation says the dress is informal, wear stylish clothes that are still rather formal, i.e. jacket and tie for men and an elegant dress for women. Punctuality is not mandatory. You may arrive between 15 minutes late if invited to dinner and up to 30 minutes late if invited to a party.

CONTD.
If you are invited to a meal, bring giftwrapped such as wine or chocolates. If you are invited for dinner and want to send flowers, have them delivered that day.

INDIAN DINNING ETTIQUTES

In formal settings, it is expected that everyone will wait for the host or the eldest person - the elder taking priority over the host - to begin eating before everyone else starts. Always sit up with your back straight during eating. If you are sitting on the floor, you must have your legs crossed.

 If you are using dining furniture, your elbows should not lean on the table. Take a small amount of food each time, and ensure that food does not reach your palms. It is not necessary to taste each and every dish prepared; but you must finish everything on the plate as it is considered a respect for served food, and food is sacred. For this reason, take only as much food on the plate as you can finish.

AFRICAN DINING ETTIQUTES

If you are invited to a Africans house: Arrive on time if invited to dinner Contact the hostess ahead of time to see if she would like you to bring a dish