CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Submitted To:-

Submitted By:Sumit Verma Alisha Verma

What is Culture: Culture is a group which shapes a person's values and identity. Cultural identities can stem from the following differences: race, ethnicity, gender, class, religion, country of origin, and geographic region.
Culture includes the ideas, attitudes, preferences, values, education, customs, beliefs, language, symbols, thought processes, religion, habits, dress code, food habits and artifacts of groups of people

What is Communication
Communication is the sending of a message from a source to a receiver with the least possible loss of meaning.

What is Cross Cultural Communication

The field of cross-cultural communication is a study that evaluates how people from different cultural backgrounds attempt to communicate.
Cross-Cultural Communication is a necessary ingredient in cross-national understanding understanding people from different cultural backgrounds.

Why Cross Cultural Communication is Important

Globalization:- Cross border movement of people, goods and data brings more and more cultures into contact with one another and increases the potential of cross culture communication Improves productivity and efficiency. Understanding cultural differences. To communicate effectively with different people in different languages and from different cultures.

 Business Opportunities Job Opportunities Improves the contribution of employees in a diverse workforce Sharing of views and ideas Talent improvisation An understanding of diverse market

How Cultural Differences affect communication

Two major kinds of cultural differences affect communication: 1.Differences in body positions & movements: Body positions & movements differ among culture Ways of speaking differ among culture Hand gestures differ among cultures

2.Attitudes towards factors of relationships: Time Space Frankness Values Emotions Intimacy of relationships

Case In Point : Eye Contact

In some cultures, looking people in the eye is assumed to indicate honesty and straightforwardness; in others it is seen as challenging and rude.

In USA, the cheapest, most effective way to connect with people is to look them into the eye.

"Most people in Arab culture share a great deal of eye contact and may regard too little as disrespectful.

In English culture, a certain amount of eye contact is required, but too much makes many people uncomfortable.

In South Asian and many other cultures direct eye contact is generally regarded as aggressive and rude.

Case in Point : Gesture

USA=OK

JAPAN=MONEY

RUSSIA=ZERO

BRAZIL=INSULT

Gestures Around the World

Western Brazil USA

- Do you have a telephone ? - Cuckold (Your wife is cheating to you) - Sign for the Texas Long Horns

Blocks to Cultural Communication

1. Ethnocentrism : Inability to accept another culture's world view; "my way is the best."
2. Discrimination : Differential treatment of an individual due to minority status; actual and perceived; e.g., "we just aren't equipped to serve people like that." 3. Stereotyping : Generalizing about a person while ignoring presence of individual difference; e.g., "she's like that because she's Asian all Asians are nonverbal."

4.Cultural Blindness: Differences are ignored and one proceeds as though differences did not exist; e.g., "there's no need to worry about a person's culture 5.Cultural Imposition: Belief that everyone should conform to the majority; e.g., "we know what's best for you, if you don't like it you can go elsewhere." 6.Tone Difference : Formal tone change becomes embarrassing and off-putting in some cultures.

Overcoming These Barriers

Listen carefully and, if in doubt, ask for confirmation. Strive for clarity Check for understanding Encourage questions Observe Non verbal gestures carefully Develop communication flexibility; learn to tolerate ambiguity Accenting and intonation can cause meaning to vary Explain jargon and idiomatic expressions Suspend judgments

Successful cross cultural communication

1. Setting communication objectives 2. Choosing a communication style 3. Assessing and enhancing credibility 4. Selecting and motivating audiences 5. Setting a message strategy 6. Overcoming language difficulties 7. Using appropriate nonverbal behaviors

Tips for good cross cultural communication

1. Speak Coherently 2. Understanding Culture 3.Be Aware of Poor Communicators 4.Do Not Judge 5. Get Feedback 6. Avoid Expressions 7.Be Knowledgeable of A Cultures Nonverbal Communication 8. Seek Help 9.Use of Humor 10.Learn From Other Culture

DEVELOPING CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS

"Tact is the ability to describe others as they see themselves. Abraham Lincoln

Skills To Overcome Differences

"To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart." Donald Laird

Skills To Overcome Differences

Respecting Differences and Working Together

Skills To Overcome Differences

Building Trust Across Cultural Boundaries

Skills To Overcome Differences

Connecting with people

Things To Remember While Interacting And Connecting With People

Business Attire

Selecting and Presenting Business Gifts

How do you do it? The handshake should be firm. While shaking hands establish eye contact and

always smile
The person who initiates the handshake is the one who closes it.

Welcome Topics & Topics to Avoid during Conversation

TEN Pre-cautions in Cultural Communication

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Slow Down Separate Questions Avoid Negative Questions Take Turns Write it down Be Supportive Check Meanings Avoid Slangs Watch the humour Maintain Etiquette