Culture is the "lens" through which you view the world.

It is central to what you see, How you make sense of what you see, How you express yourself.

"Culture is the arts elevated to a set of beliefs." – Tom Wolfe

What is different?

1. Communication Styles2. Attitudes toward conflicts3. Decision making style4. Approaches to knowing

What is hidden below the surface?

1. Beliefs2. Values3. Expectations4. Attitudes

Four Fundamental Patterns of Cultural Difference

CODES USED IN COMMUNICATIONCODES USED IN COMMUNICATION

Verbal CommunicationVerbal Communication WordsWords VoiceVoiceNon-Verbal CommunicationNon-Verbal Communication GesturesGestures PosturesPostures Facial ExpressionsFacial Expressions Eye ContactEye Contact Vocal CharacteristicsVocal Characteristics Personal AppearancePersonal Appearance TouchTouch

Cross Culture CommunicationCross Culture Communication

Intercultural Communication is the process of Intercultural Communication is the process of sending and receiving messages between people sending and receiving messages between people whose cultural background could lead them to whose cultural background could lead them to interpret verbal and non-verbal signs differently.interpret verbal and non-verbal signs differently.

Why Cross Culture Why Cross Culture Communication is important ?Communication is important ?

◦ Business OpportunitiesBusiness Opportunities◦ Job OpportunitiesJob Opportunities◦ Improves the contribution of employees in a diverse Improves the contribution of employees in a diverse

workforceworkforce◦ Sharing of views and ideasSharing of views and ideas◦ Talent improvisationTalent improvisation◦ An understanding of diverse marketAn understanding of diverse market

Globalization: Globalization: Cross border movement of people, goods and data Cross border movement of people, goods and data brings more and more cultures into contact with one another and brings more and more cultures into contact with one another and increases the potential of cross culture communication.increases the potential of cross culture communication.

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.