The myth of globalisation | Peter Alfandary | TEDxAix
Summary
TLDRThe 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.
Outlines
🌐 Cultural Differences and Global Village Myth
The speaker, a culturally conflicted Englishman with a rich international background, shares his experiences that highlight the myth of a 'global village.' He recounts his first encounter with New York, where a simple taxi ride revealed significant communication differences. He further illustrates his point with anecdotes from his career as an international lawyer, discussing misunderstandings with Japanese, Dutch, German, and American clients, and the indirect communication style of the English. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing and understanding cultural differences in communication, rather than assuming a universal approach.
📈 The 21st Century Paradox of Globalization
This paragraph delves into the speaker's belief that the concept of a global village is a myth, suggesting that there are many 'villages' with distinct cultures. He points out the paradox of the 21st century, characterized by the dominance of English in commerce and reliance on digital communication, which often leads to cross-cultural misunderstandings. The speaker argues that despite the ease of communication, we often misinterpret each other due to subjective interpretations and cultural lenses. He also touches on the lack of non-verbal cues in digital communication and the importance of context in understanding messages, advocating for more effective communication through cultural intelligence.
🌟 Cultivating Cultural Intelligence for Better Global Interaction
In the final paragraph, the speaker calls for the development of cultural intelligence as a key to navigating the complexities of global interactions. He defines cultural intelligence as the understanding of different cultures and the ability to adapt, without losing one's own cultural identity. The speaker proposes that cultural intelligence should be integrated into education systems at all levels, from homes to universities, to foster greater tolerance and reduce bigotry. He concludes with a poetic quote that encourages embracing differences as a way to enrich rather than harm, and a hopeful vision that by practicing cultural intelligence, we can create a better, richer, and safer world.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Cultural Conflict
💡Global Village
💡Communication
💡Cultural Intelligence
💡Cultural Identity
💡Paradox
💡Stereotype
💡Context
💡Misunderstanding
💡Education System
💡Cultural Shock
Highlights
The speaker describes himself as a culturally conflicted Englishman, first generation born in the UK, with a rich background in international law and a fascination with cultural differences.
His first visit to New York introduced him to the concept of a 'global village', which he later challenges as a myth, emphasizing the importance of recognizing cultural diversity.
A memorable encounter with a New York cab driver highlighted the communication gap and the importance of understanding cultural nuances in language.
The speaker recounts a negotiation experience with Japanese counterparts, illustrating the misunderstanding that can arise from different interpretations of 'yes'.
He discusses the directness in communication with Dutch, German, and American clients, contrasting it with the indirectness often found in English communication.
An anecdote about an Italian's confusion with English understatement emphasizes the complexity of language and cultural codes.
The speaker learned about the importance of time in negotiations, noting that some cultures view punctuality differently.
Lunches and negotiations are highlighted as culturally significant, with some cultures integrating a leisurely meal into the process.
The use of silence in Finnish culture is mentioned as an example of how non-verbal cues can vary greatly between cultures.
The speaker argues against the idea of a global village, advocating for the acknowledgment of multiple cultural 'villages'.
The paradox of the 21st century is introduced, characterized by the dominance of English and reliance on digital communication.
The speaker warns of the cross-cultural dilemma created by the assumption that widespread English use and digital communication equate to mutual understanding.
The limitations of email communication are discussed, particularly the lack of context and potential for misinterpretation.
The speaker calls for a reevaluation of our reliance on data over dialogue, questioning whether we've forgotten the conversational purpose of communication tools.
Cultural shock is redefined as an invisible, virtual phenomenon, highlighting the shift from in-person disorientation to digital misunderstanding.
Cultural intelligence is proposed as a key to navigating the 21st-century paradox, emphasizing the need for understanding and adapting to different cultural perspectives.
The speaker advocates for the integration of cultural intelligence into education systems, homes, and communities to foster tolerance and understanding.
A call to arms is made, urging the collective effort to incorporate cultural intelligence into daily interactions for a richer and safer world.
The transcript concludes with a quote from a French writer, emphasizing the enrichment that comes from embracing differences rather than viewing them as harmful.
Transcripts
I sometimes describe myself as a
culturally conflicted Englishman I am
first generation born in the UK I was
educated at the French Lisa in London
for 13 years I spent a lot of my
childhood in Italy and 30 years as an
international lawyer and I've always
been fascinated by cultural differences
but I think it was arriving in New York
as a 21 year old student that I got my
first taste of the oxymoron I'd like to
share with you today Global Village not
global village in the way brilliantly
described by Marshall McClellan when he
predicted the Internet in the 1960s but
more as a word that we use an expression
we use a lot now my New York experience
was not momentous but it left a huge
affect on me I spent my first day
walking the streets in or the word
awesome had not yet become fashionable
and at the end of the day I decided to
take a cab to have dinner with some
family friends I knew about cabs I'd
taken cabs in London and so I got into
the cab and in my very English polite
maybe apologetic way I said to the cab
driver good afternoon
do you think you could possibly take me
to and I read him the address on the
piece of paper he looked around his eyes
had gone funny at this stage his brain
was clearly working overtime his answer
was unforgettable
sunny Joe wanna go what don't you want
to go
well of course at this stage I was
confused because I didn't want to go
because I was expected for dinner but I
thought for many days and many hours
about that encounter rude confused was
it me was it him and it made me realize
for the first time how very different we
all are and how differently we
communicate that Sonny do you want to go
or don't you want to go was followed by
many other examples during my career as
a young and not so young lawyer I
remember as a very young lawyer
negotiating with the Japanese and I went
back to the office very proud they
agreed to everything I said and my boss
looked at me and said Peter are you sure
oh yes they kept on saying yes and he
explained to me of course that yes
meant that they had heard me not that
they agreed I realised with my Dutch my
German and some of my American clients
the directness doesn't necessarily mean
rudeness a bit like my cab driver in New
York and I also of course learnt that
the English really do talk in a code
that nobody understands I could cite
many examples if we had time but one of
them always reminds me of the Italian
who when he was told by an Englishman
but the Englishman was slightly
disappointed by something the Italian
said the Italian said why did he even
mention it I explained that slightly
disappointed in English meant extremely
angry and probably you will never be
forgiven I learnt about negotiations and
the fact that displays of emotion of
anger don't necessarily mean that a deal
is off even walking out of a room I
learnt about time now I'm one of these
people who if I have a conference call
at half past eight because I'm what's
called monochronic I will dial in at
8:26
just in case the password doesn't work
first time some cultures don't do that
some couches time is how shall I put it
a guideline the world won't end if the
meeting starts twenty minutes late
relax what are you getting so excited
about I also learnt about lunches and
negotiations so that in some cultures a
long lunch in the Middle East in France
for example can be an integral part of a
negotiation and I always remember a
Frenchman who once said that when his
New York colleagues suggested that they
have a working lunch with a sandwich he
actually felt physically sick I learnt
about the use of silence in Finland I'm
still learning everyday you see my
belief is that the idea that there's a
global village is a myth there is no
single village there are many villages
on our globe we talk about global
warming global economy global crisis
global communication but village life
village culture still rules I don't make
any value judgement when I say that but
I do believe that we have to stop
believing in the quasi mythical powers
of globalization and we have to start
remembering how very very easy it is to
misunderstand each other we live in
paradoxical times and what I call the
21st century paradox has got two pillars
to it the first is the dominance of
English in certainly in the world of
Commerce as the lingua franca of the
world the second is our unrelenting and
total reliance on digital communication
both of those lead to what's called a
cross-cultural dilemma the belief that
because English is spoken so much and
because it's so easy to communicate that
we really do understand each other
but we sit in boardrooms Brits Americans
Chinese Russian French after negotiating
English but do we always understand each
other but often not we interpret
subjectively we jump to conclusions
we look at the world through eyes and
lenses that are designed to correct our
vision and not the other persons we
stereotype we also think and react very
quickly and the question we may want to
ask ourselves is do we even talk enough
we send one hundred billion one hundred
billion business emails every day I sit
in my own isolated cultural space in X
in London in Paris in New York and I
write my email and within seconds it
arrives in another person's cultural
space a space different to mine one
where the context is different but email
doesn't have a loopback there is no
visual or even oral clue that my words
may have been misunderstood my tone may
have been misinterpreted I write that
email in a vacuum unaware of cultural
variables so culturally we're not global
you see it's all about context it's all
about the individual or the cultural
group to which he or she belongs my
context your context their context we
communicate or rather we have contact
but does contact mean communication you
know it's a bit like internet dating
you can meet somebody online but at some
point you've got to have dinner with
them and I also ask myself a question
you may have asked have we forgotten the
telephones were originally designed to
have conversations on and to have
dialogue are we relying too much on
purely data
at his origin cultural shock was a term
which we probably remember used to
describe that feeling of disorientation
that an expat felt when they went for
the first time to another country he or
she experienced it firsthand and in situ
but now something different has happened
cultural shock has become invisible it's
become virtual it's hidden behind our
technology and the learning experience
which we would have gained from either a
conversation or face-to-face
communication is missing the
psychologist Paul bats living once said
what is true is not what I say but what
you understand I can't see you that well
but I bet you if I ask the following
question how many women in the room
think that men always understand them
how many hands go up
not many interesting and if I then
change the question say how many men in
the room think that women sometimes
don't understand us
are there any man's had yet there are
hands going up you see it's all about
programming in this world of ours we're
not all Macs
or all pcs and even the same computer
may have a different keyboard we need to
focus now on creating new software so
that those of you who are Macs in this
room and those of you who are pcs in
this room can communicate effectively
and harmoniously and the key to that is
cultural intelligence the key to that is
understanding different cultures and
learning techniques to adapt in order to
improve it's not about taking away it's
not about losing our own cultural
identity cultural intelligence is about
realizing quite simply that we don't all
reason and think the same way that
culturally we look at a variety of
important things very differently
risk uncertainty leadership power
hierarchy relationships trust but it's
also about understanding our own culture
within those parameters there is a
lovely saying the last thing the fish
notices is the water he is swimming in
cultural intelligence can be taught and
I believe it is one of the key
instruments to help us navigate the 21st
century paradox my conviction is simple
we need to make cultural intelligence
part of our education system at all
levels it must become a foundation stone
we need to teach it in our homes we need
to teach it in our schools in our
universities in our business schools in
our places of worship in our community
centers in every one of our villages our
children need it I need it you need it
our colleagues need it and there I also
venture an idea maybe our politicians
and our leaders also need a strong dose
of cultural intelligence yes this is a
call to arms if you like we owe it to
ourselves and we owe it to each other
you know the dream in me believes that
if we make cultural intelligence
teaching at all levels part of the
education system we may come back
bigotry a bit more and increase
tolerance who knows but at least let's
make it part of our daily interactions
the French writer or 20 sythetic savetti
said something beautiful si tu de faire
de moi more Flair my de Mulas e Tamaki
she if you differ from me my brother
rather than harm me you enrich me
and so the next time you send an email
or the next time you get into a cab or
an uber in New York remember that your
village does not represent v-world and
maybe if collectively we all do that on
an everyday basis we may we may create a
better a richer and let us hope a safer
world
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