Co-workers are people everyone has to encounter in their life.

To maintain a non-hostile
environment, you must find ways to connect with one another to work efficiently. I know
everyone does not always get along with each other, but since I have taken this course, I
have learned new terms and new ways to get past uneasy situations like these. In this
essay, I will share words that I have learned from our course textbooks and lectures that
have opened my eyes to new ways to communicate without insulting.
To start, I would like to admit that I know nothing about the Nigeria culture, so this
would not be an easy situation. America is a place of many heterogeneous people so it is
likely that you will work with individuals who have differences in groups, cultures, or
populations. Race can be a huge barrier between people so you must be sure not to come
off as ethnocentric. According to our class textbook, ethnocentrism is a tendency to
think one's culture is superior to other cultures. It is very easy for one to come off this
way even if they believe how one works is not as efficient as they do.
If I was working on a project with my new co-worker, and I could not seem to understand
her view, I would begin to take part in identity tourism. The book defines identity tourism
as a concept that refers to people taking on the identities of other races, genders, classes,
or sexual orientations for recreational purposes. If you put yourself in another person's
shoes and try to think from their point of view, your communication can be much more
efficient. If you want to gain any mutual interest with someone who is a different race,
then you must accept that they cannot change the person. A huge problem we have while
working with others is the term the melting pot. The melting pot is a metaphor that
assumes that immigrants and cultural minorities will be assimilated into the U.S. majority
culture, losing their original culture. I find this absurd if everyone were the same no new
ideas would come about and we would not learn new things from each other.
To gain interest with my new co-worker, I must understand everyone has different ethics.
Ethics are principles of conduct that help govern behaviors or individuals and groups.
People from different backgrounds may feel uncomfortable with obscene language or too
much physical contact. To set these boundaries and not make my co-worker
uncomfortable I would establish a communication ritual. These are a set form of
systematic interactions that take place on a regular basis. You do not gain trusting
relationships with people right off the bat so to have a daily routine with how you interact
with someone gains comfort for more interactions.
Relational messages can be huge in making or breaking a relationship with a co-worker.
These messages are verbal and non-verbal that communicate how we feel about others.
In my opinion, nonverbal behavior speaks louder than any verbal behavior. Nonverbal
behavior can include facial expressions, eye gaze, posture, and even our town of voice. If
I shared a plan or an idea with my new co-worker and she rolled her eyes or gave me a
sarcastic tone it would not bring any positivity in the situation. Even if you do not agree
with someone, you must be careful not to offend someone with your non-verbal opinions.
I believe this all wraps up into the Expectancy violations theory. This theory is the view
that when someones non-verbal behavior violates our expectations, these violations will

be perceived positively or negatively depending on the particular context and behavior. I

have gotten into sticky situations for my non-verbal facial expressions without even
thinking I was doing it! It is important to break this habit because it may lead to
deception, which is the act of making someone believe what is false. Your surprised
look may seem like a law of disappointment or a negative shock. We must all be aware
that everyone is different and have our cultural values that carry our deeply held beliefs.
If I had to answer what the most positive thing I learned in this course was, I would say
learning ways not to insult people who are of different nature of me. This course was
valuable in understanding the demographics of this country and understanding the power
of equality. Maintaining positive relationships with your co-workers can only lead to
being more successful.

Citation:
Martin, Judith N., and Thomas K. Nakayama. Intercultural Communication in Contexts.
Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2007. Print.