Unity in diversity. Communicating with someone in a multicultural setting is tough.

It's more than the language that separates us, but as well as the totality of our
individualism. The food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the customs and habits we
practice are all mismatched. However, through the years of multicultural gatherings, I
have witnessed that amidst the diversity, we can be united when we make efforts to bridge
the gap that separates us. Through this essay, I will be enumerating different ways of
overcoming miscommunication with another person from a different culture.

First, make room for consideration of others' points of view. Normally, we think of
our perspective as absolute. However, there are two sides to the coin. What I might see
is the number six, but from the point of view of the other person, it is nine. There is more
than one truth in the story, but surely one cannot be completed without the other half.

Next, be linguistically open-minded. Not everyone speaks your native language. In

the Philippines, we have several dialects that are spoken. A classic example that has
been presented by one of my teachers in high school is the different meanings of
"langgam." When you are a Bisaya speaker, you think of "langgam" like a bird. However,
"langgam" in Tagalog is an ant. So, when the boy who speaks Bisaya told his Tagalog
friend to be careful of the "langgam," he looked up at the sky and got bitten by the ants.

Third, observe. Pay attention without judging. Be aware that something which
seems completely natural to you might have a different meaning in other cultures. Pay
close attention to the reactions of the people around you when you say and do something.

And finally, ask. It won't hurt to ask someone why he behaves or acts like that.
Most often, we make judgments easily based on what we see and hear. I remember
gossiping about how odd my two new classmates in senior high school were. I remember
describing them as weirdos, but as time went by, they often went to where I was seated.
I got to know them better and, surprisingly, we clicked. They really are weirdos, loud,
funny, expressive, but in a good way. They lighten my mood and everyone in the class.
They are now one of my closest friends.
 Communication in a multicultural setting can be tricky. It arises confusion and
misunderstanding, however, if we broaden our perspective, It wouldn't be that hard to see
that we are just the same people just raised differently.