What is Cross Cultural Communication?

Summary

The video script delves into the complexities of culture in the modern workplace, where individuals from diverse backgrounds often encounter cultural differences. It highlights the importance of recognizing and navigating these differences to enhance productivity. Key cultural aspects discussed include perception of time, direct versus indirect communication styles, and attitudes towards rules. The script emphasizes understanding and respecting these variations to foster a harmonious and efficient work environment, without losing one's own cultural identity.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Culture is complicated and understanding it is challenging, especially when traditions and customs differ.
• 🏢 Modern workplaces are often diverse, with people from different national, racial, and cultural backgrounds.
• 😲 Culture shock used to occur when traveling, but now it can happen just by interacting with diverse colleagues.
• 🚧 Cultural roadblocks are likely in diverse workplaces because of differing views on the purpose of business.
• ⚙️ Cross-cultural differences must be acknowledged and managed for productivity in the workplace.
• ⏰ Perception of time varies: Punctuality is crucial in countries like Germany and Japan but less so in South America and the Middle East.
• 🗣️ Communication styles differ: Direct cultures (e.g., Northern Europe, North America) value straightforwardness; indirect cultures (e.g., Latin, Arab, Asian) value politeness and ambiguity.
• 🚌 Cultural nuances: Nonverbal signs and indirect communication can lead to misunderstandings, such as the Chinese mother saying 'there is no bus' to mean 'you should not go'.
• 📏 Cultures may vary in their adherence to rules, with some following them strictly and others being more flexible.
• 🤝 Understanding cross-cultural differences enhances workplace productivity and helps maintain positive relationships.

Q & A

Why is comprehending culture considered a difficult task?

Comprehending culture is difficult because it involves understanding a complex set of traditions, customs, and behaviors that may differ significantly from one's own, especially in a globalized world where interactions are frequent across diverse cultural backgrounds.

What is meant by 'multi-culture shocks' in the workplace?

'Multi-culture shocks' refer to the challenges and disorientation that individuals may experience when working with people from various cultural backgrounds, which can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts due to differing perspectives and practices.

How does the perception of time vary across different cultures?

The perception of time can be categorized as either fixed or fluid. In cultures like Germany, Switzerland, China, and Japan, punctuality is highly valued, while in countries of South America and the Middle East, being on time may not be as critical, reflecting a more fluid view of time.

What are direct and indirect communication cultures, and how do they differ?

Direct communication cultures, such as those of Northern Europeans, North Americans, and Anglo cultures, are straightforward and rely on the content of the message. Indirect communication cultures, common in Latin, Arab, Asian, and African cultures, emphasize nonverbal cues, politeness, and ambiguity to maintain relationships.

Why is it important to recognize cultural differences in the workplace?

Recognizing cultural differences is crucial for fostering understanding, respect, and effective communication among colleagues. It helps to set aside cultural biases and work towards a common goal, enhancing productivity and collaboration.

How can cultural differences impact productivity in a workplace?

Cultural differences can impact productivity by causing misunderstandings, miscommunications, and conflicts. However, by understanding and respecting these differences, teams can leverage diverse perspectives to innovate and work more efficiently.

What is the significance of preserving relationships in indirect communication cultures?

In indirect communication cultures, preserving relationships is significant because it promotes harmony and cooperation. It often involves using subtleties and indirect language to convey messages without causing offense or disrupting social bonds.

How can understanding cross-cultural differences improve work relationships?

Understanding cross-cultural differences allows individuals to appreciate diverse viewpoints and communication styles. This awareness can lead to more effective collaboration, reduced conflicts, and a more inclusive work environment.

What is the relationship between language and culture as described in the script?

Language is described as what we hear, while culture is how we understand. This distinction suggests that while language is a tool for communication, culture provides the context and interpretation that shapes our understanding of the world.

Why should we not denigrate other cultures in the workplace?

We should not denigrate other cultures because doing so can create a hostile work environment, hinder collaboration, and disrespect the diversity that enriches the workplace. Instead, promoting cultural understanding and appreciation can lead to more harmonious and productive interactions.

How can recognizing and understanding one's own culture help in a cross-cultural work setting?

Recognizing and understanding one's own culture can provide a foundation for appreciating the differences in others' cultures. It helps individuals to reflect on their own biases and assumptions, facilitating a more open and respectful approach to cross-cultural interactions.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Understanding Cultural Diversity in the Workplace

The script addresses the complexity of culture and the challenges of navigating cultural differences in a globalized workplace. It highlights the concept of 'culture shock' and its evolution to 'multi-culture shock', where individuals experience a variety of cultural interactions without leaving their desks. The importance of recognizing and setting aside cultural differences for productivity is emphasized. The script introduces three key parameters to understand cultural behaviors: perception of time, communication styles (direct vs. indirect), and attitudes towards rules. It illustrates these with examples, such as punctuality in Germany, Switzerland, China, and Japan versus more fluid time views in South America and the Middle East. The summary also contrasts direct communication in Northern Europe and North America with the indirect, relationship-focused styles of Latin, Arab, Asian, and African cultures. The script concludes by stressing the importance of understanding rather than dismissing other cultures, and the value of cultural and linguistic knowledge without losing one's own identity.

Keywords

💡Culture

Culture refers to the collective customs, practices, and beliefs of a group of people that are passed down through generations. In the context of the video, culture is central to understanding how people from different backgrounds interact in a workplace. The script mentions that culture shock can occur not only when traveling but also in a multicultural work environment, highlighting the importance of recognizing and navigating cultural differences.

💡Multi-culture Shocks

Multi-culture shocks describe the disorientation or confusion that can occur when individuals are exposed to multiple cultures simultaneously, particularly in a workplace setting. The script uses this term to illustrate the challenges of working with people from various cultural backgrounds and the need to adapt and understand these differences to maintain productivity.

💡Cultural Roadblocks

Cultural roadblocks are the obstacles or misunderstandings that arise from cultural differences, particularly in communication and work practices. The video emphasizes that recognizing these roadblocks is the first step towards overcoming them, as they can hinder effective collaboration in a diverse workplace.

💡Perception of Time

Perception of time refers to how individuals or cultures view the concept of time, whether as fixed, fluid, or infinite. The script contrasts cultures that value punctuality, such as Germany and Japan, with those where being on time is less critical, like in South America and the Middle East. This concept is crucial for understanding work dynamics, especially in deadline-driven environments.

💡Direct Communication

Direct communication is a style where individuals express their thoughts and intentions clearly and explicitly. The video describes direct cultures, such as Northern Europeans and North Americans, as valuing the written word and being straightforward, which can sometimes be perceived as rudeness in more indirect cultures.

💡Indirect Communication

Indirect communication involves conveying messages through subtleties, nonverbal cues, and preserving relationships over explicitness. The script provides an example of a Chinese mother using the phrase 'there is no bus' to suggest that her guest should not go out, illustrating the importance of understanding indirect cues in communication.

💡Punctuality

Punctuality is the quality of arriving at the agreed time for an appointment or event. The video uses punctuality as an example of how different cultures may prioritize time, with implications for workplace expectations and interactions.

💡Adherence to Rules

Adherence to rules refers to the extent to which individuals or cultures follow established guidelines or protocols. The script contrasts cultures that strictly follow rules with those that may adapt or bend them based on the situation, affecting how they approach work and problem-solving.

💡Cross-Cultural Differences

Cross-cultural differences encompass the various ways in which people from different cultural backgrounds may think, communicate, and interact. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding these differences to work more productively together in a multicultural environment.

💡Productivity

Productivity in the context of the video refers to the efficiency and effectiveness of work output in a team or organization. It highlights the need to set aside cultural differences to achieve high levels of productivity, especially in diverse workplaces.

💡Language and Culture

Language and culture are intertwined, with language being the medium through which we communicate and culture influencing how we interpret and understand those communications. The script suggests that understanding another culture or language does not mean losing one's own, emphasizing the importance of cultural appreciation and preservation.

Highlights

Culture is complicated and comprehending any culture is difficult, especially when traditions and customs differ.

In modern workplaces, we encounter people from different national, racial, and cultural backgrounds.

Culture shock is no longer just from traveling, but can occur in our own workplaces due to multi-cultural interactions.

Cultural roadblocks can arise in the workplace because we all think differently about the purpose of business.

Cross-cultural and other differences must be recognized and set aside for productivity.

Culture can be described as the way we do things around here.

Understanding cross-cultural communication can be aided by considering parameters such as perception of time.

In countries like Germany, Switzerland, China, and Japan, punctuality is important and being late is seen as rude or insulting.

In South America and the Middle East, being on time does not carry the same importance.

Perceptions of time can impact work in deadline-driven environments.

Cultures can be direct or indirect in communication styles.

Direct cultures, like Northern Europeans and North Americans, value content over context and written over oral statements.

Indirect cultures, like Latin, Arab, Asian, and African, rely on nonverbal signs and prefer indirectness and politeness.

Indirect cultures prioritize preserving relationships, as illustrated by the example of a Chinese family communicating indirectly.

Some cultures adhere strictly to rules while others bend them to suit the situation.

Understanding cross-cultural differences helps improve workplace productivity.

We should respect and understand the relationship between different cultures without losing our own cultural identity.

Language is what we hear; culture is how we understand.

Transcripts

Culture is complicated. Comprehending any culture is a difficult task, especially if

traditions and customs differ from our own. Walk into almost any workplace today and you'll

likely find people of different national, racial and cultural backgrounds. As an individual

we used to suffer Culture shock as we travelled from one country to the next. Today, we suffer

from multi-culture shocks, just by sitting at our own desk. In the workplace, when people

from different cultural backgrounds come together, it's likely we will stumble upon cultural

roadblocks because we all think differently about the purpose of business.

Cross cultural and other differences must be set aside for the sake of productivity.

But first you have to recognise them.

Culture is often described as: the way we do things around here. So, what does that

mean?

There are several parameters that help us understand the way people do things around

here. There are too many to mention them all here, but to get a flavour for cross cultural

communication I'll mention three of them.

First, Perception of Time: In some countries like Germany, Switzerland, China and Japan,

punctuality is considered important and being late would be considered at best rude and

at worst an insult. However, in countries such as those of South America and the Middle

East, being on time does not carry the same sense of importance or urgency. Some people

view time as fixed whilst other feel time is fluid or infinite. This really has implications

for those who work in a deadline, scheduled and structured work environment.

Second, Cultures may be either direct or indirect in the way they communicate: Direct cultures,

like most Northern Europeans, North Americans and Anglo cultures, say what they mean and

mean what they say. They rely more on content rather than on context. They give value to

the written word rather than oral statements. To some people, we can appear extremely rude

or distant.

Indirect cultures rely heavily on nonverbal signs and prefer indirectness, politeness

& ambiguity. The most important thing is to preserve the relationship. This is particularly

true of the Latin, Arab, Asian and African cultures. For example, a friend of mine was

staying with a Chinese family and when she stated that she intended to go out to town

in the evening, the mother said ' there is no bus'. This was said on two more occasions

when my friend had indeed seen a bus. She then began to understand that by saying 'there

is no bus' was the mother's way of saying that she should not go!

Thirdly, cultures may have a strict adherence to the rules whilst others bend them to suit

the situation.

All these characteristics have implications in the workplace and the more we understand

about cross-cultural differences the better able we are to work more productively together.

We should never denigrate any other culture but rather help people to understand the relationship

between their own culture and the dominant culture. When you understand another culture

or language, it does not mean that you have to lose your own culture.

I always say, language is what we hear; culture is how we understand.