Cross-culturalcommunications By : AlokkumarsinghPONDICHERRY UNIVERSITY

Culture.What is culture?Culture is the arts elevatedtoa set of beliefs---Tom WolfeCulture is the lens through which we view the world

Cultural differencesvisibleCommunication stylesAttitudes towards conflictDecision making stylesApproaching to knowingunvisibleBeliefsValuesExpectationAttitudes

communicationCommunication is the sending of message from a source to a receiver with the least possible loss of meaning .The speaker sends a messages that is in some kind of code . The listener decodes the messages and responds thereby giving the speaker feedback

Why cross culture is important ? GlobalizationBusiness opportunitiesJob opportunitiesSharing of views and ideasTalent improvisation An understanding of diverse market

Context culturesHigh context culture---cultures that rely heavily on non-verbal and subtle situational cues in communication .JapaneseArabs Latin AmericansIitaliansBritishFrenchNorth americansScandinavians Germans SwissLow context cultures---cultures that rely heavily on words to convey meaning in communication .

EyeIn some cultures, looking people in the eyes is assumed to indicate honesty and straightforwardness , in others it is seen as challenging and rude . In Arab culture too little eye contact is regarded as disrespectful . In English culture certain amount of eye contact is necessary but too much makes people uncomfortable In South- Asian countries direct eye contact is regarded aggressive & rude .

Gestures JAPAN = MONEYU S = O K RUSSIA = ZERO BRAZIL = INSULT

Welcome topics during conversationIndonesia – family, travel, sports, local cuisineGermany – sports, politics,current events, beer.

Blocks to cultural communicationStereotyping—Generalizingabout a person while ignoring presence of individual differencesDiscrimination-differential treatment of an individual due to minority status ;actual & percieved

Continued-----Tone difference-Formal tone change becomes embarrassing & off-putting in some cultures. Cultural imposition-

Skills to overcome differences To handle yourself ,use your head To handle others ,use your heart.

Continued---Respect differences while working together

Continued---Building trust across cultural differences Connecting people

Precautions in cross- cultural communication Slow down Separate questionUse easy wordsWrite it down Be supportive Check meaning Avoid Slang Watch the humour Avoid negative question Maintain etiquette