The myth of globalisation | Peter Alfandary | TEDxAix

Summary

The speaker, a culturally conflicted Englishman, shares his experiences with cultural differences, highlighting the myth of a 'global village.' Through anecdotes, he emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural nuances in communication, especially in a world dominated by English and digital interaction. He advocates for cultural intelligence as a key to navigating the 21st-century paradox, suggesting its integration into education to foster tolerance and effective global dialogue.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The speaker describes himself as a culturally conflicted Englishman with a rich background in international education and law, emphasizing the fascination with cultural differences.
• 🗽 His first encounter in New York with a cab driver highlighted the communication challenges that arise from cultural misunderstandings.
• 🤔 The speaker reflects on various experiences, such as negotiating with the Japanese, to illustrate the complexities of interpreting 'yes' and directness in communication across cultures.
• 🇬🇧 He points out the subtleties of English communication, suggesting that it can be cryptic and misunderstood by others, including Italians.
• 🕒 The importance of understanding different cultural attitudes towards time is underscored, with examples of monochronic versus polychronic time perspectives.
• 🍽 The role of meals in negotiations is highlighted, noting that in some cultures, like the Middle East and France, a long lunch is an integral part of the process.
• 🤐 The speaker discusses the use of silence in communication, particularly in Finnish culture, and the ongoing learning required to understand these nuances.
• 💬 The idea of a 'Global Village' is challenged, arguing that it is a myth and that there are many cultural 'villages' with distinct ways of life and communication.
• 📈 The 21st-century paradox is introduced, characterized by the dominance of English in commerce and reliance on digital communication, which can lead to cross-cultural misunderstandings.
• 📧 The reliance on email and digital communication is critiqued for lacking the contextual cues necessary for effective cross-cultural communication.
• 🤝 The concept of cultural intelligence is presented as key to navigating cross-cultural interactions, with a call to integrate it into education systems to foster understanding and tolerance.
• 🌐 The speaker concludes with a plea for the recognition of cultural diversity and the enrichment it brings, urging the incorporation of cultural intelligence into daily interactions for a better world.

Q & A

What cultural background does the speaker describe himself as having?

The speaker describes himself as a culturally conflicted Englishman, being the first generation born in the UK, educated at the French Lycée in London, and having spent part of his childhood in Italy.

What was the speaker's first experience in New York like, and what impact did it have on him?

The speaker's first experience in New York was not momentous but left a huge impression on him. He spent his first day walking the streets and later had an encounter with a cab driver that made him realize how different people are and how they communicate differently.

What misunderstanding occurred between the speaker and the cab driver in New York?

The misunderstanding occurred when the speaker, in his polite English way, asked the cab driver to take him to an address. The cab driver responded with 'Sunny Joe wanna go what don't you want to go,' which confused the speaker because he was not expressing a reluctance to go.

How did the speaker's experience with the Japanese during negotiations as a young lawyer highlight cultural differences?

The speaker was proud that the Japanese agreed to everything he said during negotiations. However, his boss explained that 'yes' in Japanese culture meant they had heard him, not necessarily that they agreed, illustrating a cultural misunderstanding.

What did the speaker learn about the directness in communication with Dutch, German, and American clients?

The speaker learned that directness in these cultures doesn't necessarily mean rudeness, similar to the directness of his New York cab driver, and that it's important to understand cultural nuances in communication.

What cultural misunderstanding did the speaker experience with an Italian regarding the phrase 'slightly disappointed'?

The Italian misunderstood the phrase 'slightly disappointed' used by an Englishman, thinking it was a minor issue. The speaker had to explain that in English, 'slightly disappointed' can mean 'extremely angry' and that the Italian might not be forgiven.

What has the speaker learned about the importance of time in different cultures?

The speaker learned that some cultures view time as a guideline and are more relaxed about starting meetings late, unlike his own monochronic approach to punctuality.

Why did the Frenchman feel physically sick when his New York colleagues suggested a working lunch with a sandwich?

The Frenchman felt physically sick because a long lunch is an integral part of French negotiation culture, and the idea of a quick working lunch goes against that tradition.

What role does silence play in Finnish culture, according to the speaker?

The speaker mentions that silence plays a significant role in Finnish culture and that he is still learning about it, implying that it's an important aspect of communication there.

What is the '21st-century paradox' the speaker refers to, and what are its two pillars?

The '21st-century paradox' the speaker refers to is the belief in a global village despite the reality of many cultural villages. Its two pillars are the dominance of English in commerce and the reliance on digital communication, which can lead to cross-cultural misunderstandings.

What is the speaker's suggestion for improving cross-cultural understanding and communication?

The speaker suggests making cultural intelligence part of the education system at all levels, teaching it in homes, schools, universities, and community centers to improve cross-cultural understanding and communication.

What does the speaker mean when he says 'the last thing the fish notices is the water he is swimming in'?

The speaker uses this saying to illustrate that people often don't recognize the cultural context they are immersed in, and that cultural intelligence can help individuals become more aware of their own and others' cultural perspectives.