| |
Ten Tips for Cross Cultural Communication
By Neil Payne
Ten Tips for Cross Cultural Communication
Here are some simple tips to help you improve your cross cultural communication skills:
Slow Down
Even when English is the common language in a cross cultural situation, this does not mean you should speak at normal speed. Slow down, speak clearly and ensure your pronunciation is intelligible.
Separate Questions
Try not to ask double questions such as, "Do you want to carry on or shall we stop here?" In a cross cultural situation only the first or second question may have been comprehended. Let your listener answer one question at a time.
Avoid Negative Questions
Many cross cultural communication misunderstandings have been caused by the use of negative questions and answers. In English we answer 'yes' if the answer is affirmative and 'no' if it is negative. In other cultures a 'yes' or 'no' may only be indicating whether the questioner is right or wrong. For example, the response to "Are you not coming?" may be 'yes', meaning 'Yes, I am not coming.'
Take Turns
Cross cultural communication is enhanced through taking turns to talk, making a point and then listening to the response.
Write it Down
If you are unsure whether something has been understood write it down and check. This can be useful when using large figures. For example, a billion in the USA is 1,000,000,000,000 while in the UK it is 1,000,000,000.
Be Supportive
Effective cross cultural communication is in essence about being comfortable. Giving encouragement to those with weak English gives them confidence, support and a trust in you.
Check Meanings
When communicating across cultures never assume the other party has understood. Be an active listener. Summarise what has been said in order to verify it. This is a very effective way of ensuring accurate cross cultural communication has taken place.
Avoid Slang
Even the most well educated foreigner will not have a complete knowledge of slang, idioms and sayings. The danger is that the words will be understood but the meaning missed.
Watch the humour
In many cultures business is taken very seriously. Professionalism and protocol are constantly observed. Many cultures will not appreciate the use of humour and jokes in the business context. When using humour think whether it will be understood in the other culture. For example, British sarcasm usually has a negative effect abroad.
Maintain Etiquette
Many cultures have certain etiquette when communicating. It is always a good idea to undertake some cross cultural awareness training or at least do some research on the target culture.
Cross cultural communication is about dealing with people from other cultures in a way that minimises misunderstandings and maximises your potential to create strong cross cultural relationships. The above tips should be seen as a starting point to greater cross cultural awareness.
About the Author
Neil Payne is Director of London based cross cultural communications consultancy http://www.kwintessential.co.uk
Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/256.html
| If you wish to add the above article to your website or newsletters then please include the "Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/256.html" as shown above and make it hyperlinked. |
| Some other articles by Neil Payne | Intercultural Team Building
Internal business structures have been radically transformed over the past few decades. Changes in areas such as communication and transportation technology and shifts towards global interdependency have resulted in ...
Cross Cultural Interviews
At this moment in time, the increase in cross border human traffic has meant that companies are no longer dealing with ...
The 10 Benefits of Cross Cultural Training
Cross cultural differences can and do impede upon communication and interpersonal relationships. In the business world this occurs daily, where people ...
Cross Cultural Training
As economic and political spaces between nations become smaller and international trade continues to increase, the movement of people between countries is becoming more fluid. ...
Cross Cultural Advertising
Culture is a like dropping an Alka-seltzer into a glass - you don't see it, but somehow it does something
Hans Magnus Enzensberger
Culture affects everything we do. This applies to all areas of ...
Reciprocal Linking Etiquette
Reciprocal linking is of great importance to website owners who wish to achieve good rankings on the major search engines. As a result the internet ...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
