Running head: CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION MATRIX
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Cross-Cultural Communication Matrix
Edward Charfauros
Business Communications COM/285
August 2, 2011
Joyce Harada

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Cross Cultural Communication
Country
Canada
India
Preferred communication
style
Non-verbal communication
practices
Business communication
norms
Strategies to increase
cross-cultural
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communication
A consolidation of
both North American
and British tendencies
reflects moderately
indirect
communication style.
Disagreeing openly
when necessary
Canadians do so
tactfully and
diplomatically.
Essentially realistic
relying on common
sense. Businesspeople
are somewhat informal
generally easy-going
and polite.
Canadians communicate
nonverbal expressions
only upon adding
emphasis to a message,
or as part of a personal
communication style of
an individual. Canadians
prefer to communicate by
word versus nonverbal
expressions. When
speaking to someone
Canadians prefer an
arm’s length distance
while enjoying their
personal space.
Meetings are begun with
very little small talk with
expectation of
exchanging pleasantries.
Canadians present
important information
with facts and figures to
substantiate claims and
promises.
Fundamentally rational
and logical thinkers
Canadians are not
convinced by emotions,
passion, or feelings.
Indians periodically
disagree within the
managerial ranks, and
are nonconfrontational.
Authority figures
make all of the
decisions. Generally
reaching an agreement
by someone's word is
sufficient. Meetings
begin with informal
communication.
Indians only use nonverbal communication
when involving religious
beliefs. Taking off his or
her shoes before entering
a home is demonstrating
respect. Table manners
are a bit formal always
using the right hand to
eat. Leaving no food on
the plate when finished
eating is interpreted as
someone whose still
hungry and leaving a
small amount of food
indicates satisfaction.
Generally Indians
conduct business with
people they know. Prior
to conducting business
long-standing personal
relationships are
preferred. Going
through a third party for
an introduction is always
recommended. Indians
give immediate
credibility to the person
or people when
conducting business.
New marketplaces
have opened up
because of the
Internet, and modern
technology is
allowing people to
promote businesses
to cultures in new
geographic
locations. Making
it easier to remotely
work with people
just as it is face-toface.
Communication is
electronic now
making it easy to
work with people in
other countries as if
they are in the
neighboring city.
As a general rule,
people are called the
name Don or Dona
then their first name
during formal
occasions.
Appointments are
mandatory and
preferably
communicated by
telephone or fax in
advance. Generally
first meetings are
formal and used to
build relationships. It
is normal for several
Shaking hands is
expected when
introduced in person.
Men may embrace and
pat one other on the
shoulder after a
relationship has been
established. Kissing one
another on both cheeks
beginning with the left is
commonly anticipated
amongst female friends.
Many men using a twohanded shake where
placing the left hand on
the right forearm is
Communication is
formal and the Spaniards
follow the rules of
protocol. Conducting
business with people
they know and trust are
what the Spanish prefer.
In-person meetings are
preferred over any other
communication.
Reconfirming meetings
are communicated in
writing or by telephone
the prior week. It is
important to watch for
non-verbal
The limit in working
with people has
decreased
dramatically making
it convenient to
work with the most
knowledgeable
people worldwide.
English has fast
become the
language people use
when reaching their
widest possible
audience.
It is important to
realize a basic
understanding of
cultural diversity as
the key to effective
cross-cultural
communications.
People must learn
how to efficiently
communicate with
individuals and
groups.
Cross-cultural
communicating must

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References
Kwintessential. (2011). Canada-Language, Culture, Customs, and Etiquette. Retrieved from
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/canada.html
Kwintessential. (2011). Spain-Language, Culture, Customs, and Etiquette. Retrieved from
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/canada.html
Kwintessential. (2011). India-Language, Culture, Customs, and Etiquette. Centre for
Intercultural Learning. Retrieved from http://www.intercultures.ca/cil-cai/ci-ic-eng.asp?
iso=in#cn-2

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References
Kwintessential. (2011). Canada-Language, Culture, Customs, and Etiquette. Retrieved from
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/canada.html
Kwintessential. (2011). Spain-Language, Culture, Customs, and Etiquette. Retrieved from
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/canada.html
Kwintessential. (2011). India-Language, Culture, Customs, and Etiquette. Centre for
Intercultural Learning. Retrieved from http://www.intercultures.ca/cil-cai/ci-ic-eng.asp?
iso=in#cn-2