CHALLENGES OF INTERCULTURAL  Degree of importance given to

COMMUNICATION non-verbal communication

Misunderstanding in intercultural - It is the another major aspect
communication of communication
- It may result from many different and  Non-verbal communication
possibly interacting sources such as - It doesn't include only the
inadequate perception, inappropriate facial expressions and
comprehension at different linguistic levels, gestures; it also involves
gaps in interlocutors' knowledge of the seating arrangements,
world, uncooperativeness on the part of one personal distance and sense
or both of the interlocutors, or their inability of time
to assemble and realize an intercultural  Different norms regarding the
move that is expected by the partner at this appropriate degree of
particular point in the interaction. assertiveness
- This could also add to
FIVE CHALLENGES cultural misunderstanding
1. Different communication styles EXAMPLE
- The way people communicate varies Americans typically consider
widely between, and even within, cultures. raised voices to be a sign that
- Across cultures, some words and phrases a fight has begun while some
are used in different ways. black, Jewish and Italian
EXAMPLE Americans often feel that an
 The meaning of "yes" varies from increase in volume is a sign
"maybe, I'll consider t" to "definitely of an exciting conversation
so" with many shades in between among friends.
2. Different attitudes toward conflict
 Language usage  Conflict
- One aspect of communication - Some views it as a positive
style thing while some views it as
something to be avoided.
 - It is not usually desirable' but
people often are encouraged
to deal directly with this that
do arise.
 Face-to-face meeting
- This is recommended as the
way to work through
whatever problems exists
 Open conflict
- In many European countries,
t is experienced as
embarrassing or demeaning
 Written exchange
- It might be the favored means
to address the conflicts.
3. Different approaches to completing
tasks
- From culture to culture, there are different
ways that people move toward completing
tasks. Some reasons include different access
to resources, different judgments of the
rewards associated with task completion,
different notions of time, and varied ideas
about how relationship-building and task-
oriented work should go together.
- When it comes to working together
effectively on a task, cultures differ with
respect to the importance placed on
establishing relationships early on in the
collaboration
- This does not mean that people from any
one of these cultural backgrounds are more
or less committed to accomplishing the task,
or value relationships more or less; it means
they may pursue them differently
 Asian and Hispanic cultures
- They tend to attach more
value to developing
relationships at the beginning
of a shared project and more
emphasis on task completion
toward the end as compared
with European-Americans.
 European-Americans
- They tend to focus
immediately on the task at
hand, and let relationships
develop as they work on the
task
4. Different decision-making styles
- The roles individuals play in decision-
making vary widely from culture to culture.
For example, in the U.S., decisions are
frequently delegated --that is, an official
assigns responsibility for a particular matter
to a subordinate. In many Southern
European and Latin American countries,
there is a strong value placed on holding
decision-making responsibilities oneself.
  European and Latin American experiences, and goals of the people with
countries whom you are working
- These two countries have a  Disclosure
strong value placed on - The act of making something
holding decision-making known
responsibilities oneself.
 Delegated FIVE SOURCES OF
- The type of decision-making MISUNDERSTANDING
in U.S 1. Ambiguity
 Consensus - It is the lack of explicitness on the part of
- It is the preferred decision- the speaker
making in Japan. - It is a statement or sentence which could
5. Different attitudes towards disclosure have more than one possible interpretation,
- In some cultures, it is not appropriate to be it is up to the listener or reader to determine
frank about emotions, about the reasons what the true interpretation could be
behind a conflict or a misunderstanding, or - It can give the reader the opportunity to
about personal information. Keep this in think more deeply about the text that they
mind when you are in a dialogue or when are reading.
you are working with others - It can give additional layers to their works
- When you are dealing with a conflict, be as well giving the reader some freedom by
mindful that people may differ in what they allowing them to make their own
feel comfortable revealing. Questions that interpretation of what is happening.
may seem natural to you --What was the 2. Performance-related misunderstanding
conflict about? What was your role in the - The slips of the tongue and mishearing
conflict? What was the sequence of events? which may due to utterances spoken quickly
--may seem intrusive to others. and unclearly.
- The variation among cultures in attitudes  Slip of the tongue
toward disclosure is also something to - It is something that you say
consider before you conclude that you have by accident when you
an accurate reading of the views, intended to say something
else
EXAMPLES constructed based on
 A newsreader made a slip of the grammatical rules
tongue when reading out the scores. 4. Misinformation
H said Chelsea had lost by a goal; - It is the misleading ideas taken by the
instead of saying they had won by a people
goal SOURCES OF MISINFORMATION
 I accidentally called John by his  Disinformation
brother's name. It was just a slip of  Rumor
the tongue.  Urban legend
3. Language-related misunderstanding  Spam
NOTE:  Troll
Every sentence is a sequence of words, but 5. Misinterpretation
not every sequence of words is a sentence. - It is the wrong interpretation on the part of
the receiver
 Grammatical
- It is the sequences of words INTRODUCTION THROUGH
that conform to the rules of HANDSHAKE
syntax Handshake
 Ungrammatical - It conveys far more than an initial greeting.
- It is the sequences of words - It can establish a sense of trust, or it can
that violates the syntactic ruin your career.
rules - It can make or break a relationship.
 Grammatical sentences - It is commonly done by people introduced
- It is the utterances with each other introduced by a third party
(sentences) which are should be done and interpreted correctly as
constructed appropriately the type of handshake varies from culture to
based on grammatical rules culture
 Ungrammatical sentences
- It is the utterances
(sentences) which are not
 A GUIDE TO HANDSHAKES Brazil
USA  Maintain eye contact and return the
 Extend firm handshake, and firm grasp. Kiss women on each
introduce yourself with your first cheek
name and last name while making Keep in mind
eye contact.  If kissing on the cheek, the official
 in mind
Keep number of kisses ranger from 1-3,
 Shake hands with everyone present depending on where you are.
at a meeting or with a small group of
people. Morocco

 Only shake hands with people of the

Mexico same sex; shake softly and grip
 A long handshake and a possible hug lightly.
(If you're a man) Keep in mind

Keep in mind  If greeting a woman, wait for her to

 Bow when greeting a Mexican offer her hand before shaking.
woman and shake hands if she offers
her hand. South Africa

 Use a gentle grip and wait until the

Canada other person releases first.
 Initiate a firm handshake when Keep in mind
meeting and leaving. Women extend  Handshakes can vary region to
their hand first. region, with some communities
having a special handshake
Keep in mind
technique.
 Hugs are acceptable for close
friends, and kissing tends to be China

mostly for family or couples.  Extend a handshake to the eldest

person first, gripping lightly, bowing
slightly and avoiding eye contact.
 Keep in mind Keep in mind

 Often a simple nod will suffice  Kissing is deemed inappropriate

unless you are in a couple.
Japan
Australia
 Only shake hands if someone
initiates the shake. Grip slightly,  Women offer their hands to men
shake gently and don't make eye first, while not shaking with other
contact. women
Keep in mind Keep in mind

 Don't stand too close and avoid  Shake hands with everyone present
touching. upon meeting and before leaving

South Korea New Zealand

 Start with the eldest person and offer  A medium-strength grip will do, but
a soft shake only shake the first time you meet
Keep in mind someone. Never afterwards.
 To show respect, support your right Keep in mind

forearm with your left hand.  Always smile with a handshake.

Thailand UK
 With for other person to bow in a  Stick to a light handshake, taking
"wai" first, then return the gestures. care to widen personal space
Shake hands with men only. afterwards.
Keep in mind Keep in mind
 It is an insult not to retain the "wai"  Avoid prolonged eye contact when
you meet for the first time.
Philippines
France
 Offer a weak grip, look at the person
in the eye and don't bow.  Pick up the pace in Paris - light, fast
shakes are the norm
Keep in mind

 Family and friends greet with a kiss

on both cheeks.