Crossing boundaries

Anindya Singh

What is culture?

• Race• Ethnicity• Gender• Class

• Religion• Language• Country of origin• Geographic region

Culture is defined by your :

Cross Cultural Communication

Enhancing relationship with people who belong to different culture than yours.

A good cross cultural training will ensure empowers a person with: Knowledge Understanding & skills

Avoiding Cultural Miscommunication Find a common ground Developing proper informational

context Develop a high trust level taking time Have good quality of information and

provide the same Have the humility to apologize and

explain

Framing verbal and written communication

Use proper salutation techniques (Mr., Ms., Dr., Prof., Sir, Madam., etc.)

Know country-specific rules of shake-hands, hugs, pats and kisses

In doubt?- ASK!!! Know the local way of greeting people and giving

reply to the greetings Check your grammar Be specific

Globally accepted practices

Greet in the local way or just say “Hello”Shake hands (Wait for a woman to

extend her hand first)Wearing formal dress in the first

business meetingSmile

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.

Continued.

Gestures•A motion of the hands, head or body to emphasize an idea or emotion.

How can the same Gestures be treated differently in different cultures.

Skills To Overcome DifferencesRespecting Differences and Working Together

Building Trust Across Cultural Boundaries

Understanding Body Language

Connecting with people

Thank You