Identify and explain interpersonal, collective and/or institutional discrimination.
Interpersonal and collective discrimination are somewhat the same thing with few differences. Interpersonal discrimination is where a person is excluded from a job, activity, conversation or discussion based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or national origin. An example of interpersonal discrimination is an African American might not get the job that was interviewed for because of his race. A Jew might not get the promotion because of religion or a woman might not even get an interview because of her gender. Collective discrimination is where a whole group of people are excluded from an event, conversation or discussion based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation and national origin. An example of collective discrimination is people of Arabic decent being avoided because of the events of 9/11.
How do the choices we make about popular culture influence the formation of our cultural identity?
Popular culture choices include movies, music, cars we drive and the way people dress. According to culturalpolitics.net (2012) “various forms of popular culture, including music, film, television, advertising, sports, fashion, toys, magazines and comic books, and the medium in which this message moves, cyber culture.” Back in 1993 I was a big fan of the actor Joey Lawrence. The way he dressed was definitely pop culture. He wore ripped jeans and a flannel shirt around his waist with a leather jacket. During that time period I started dressing that same way and that shaped my cultural identity during that time. I even let my hair grow out like Joey had his hair. I had a friend in high school that was a huge fan of the Dukes of Hazard TV show, and when he became of age to drive he just had to get a Dodge Charger just like the General Lee, the car driven in that show. There are plenty of times I will be watching the Food Network and try to emulate a recipe I just saw on TV. Popular culture molds and shapes everyone in different ways.
How might different attitudes toward work lead to intercultural communication conflicts?
Different cultures have different customs that can lead to intercultural conflicts. If a person is late to work that might constitute rudeness. If a person is talking with friends that might constitute dallying and coming in too early might constitute inconsideration. If people are from different backgrounds they need to learn how to co-exist so there are not any problems in the work place.
When two or more different cultures mix, it is easy for small etiquette mistakes to be made that could have negative consequences. Just as you may have felt annoyed when a foreign businessman did not shake your hands upon greeting you, imagine how your Chinese client must have felt when you wrote on his business card or your Indian colleague reacted when you flatly rejected an offer of a meal. Sometimes, not understanding the etiquette of another culture means you show a lack of manners and as Lawrence Sterne said, a lack of deference. This can and does lead to soured relationships, lost deals and in the end poor business results. Anyone working on the international stage needs to understand international business etiquette. (kwintessential.co.uk 2006)
” Different cultures have different ways of communicating so it is easy to have conflicts if the people involved are not careful the way they speak. As told by kwintessential.co.uk (2006) “Some cultures like to talk loudly (US and Germany), some softly (India and China); some speak directly (Holland and Denmark) others indirectly (UK and Japan); some tolerate interrupting others while speaking (Brazil) others not (Canada); some are very blunt (Greece) and some very flowery (Middle East). All will believe the way they are communicating is fine, but when transferred into an international context this no longer applies. Without the right international business etiquette it is easy to offend.”
Describe your plan to become more interculturally savvy in communication.
To become more interculturally savvy I plan to learn about different customs and cultures throughout the globe because you never know when you might be in a situation where knowing how a certain country acts or behaves will come in handy.
In the global marketplace, knowledge and skills not only mean power, it can also mean survival. Understanding the need for cultural savvy is just the ante to get into the game of global business. How well you play depends upon your level of cultural competence and intelligence. It is estimated that more than half of all international joint ventures fail within two or three years. The reason most often given is cultural myopia and lack of cultural competency - not the lack of technical or professional expertise. In today’s global marketplace, being culturally savvy is no longer just “nice to have” but mission critical for building and maintaining a competitive global advantage. The “one size fits all, off the shelf initiatives is not an effective approach.(culturalsavvy.com, 2012)
Is it possible for two people to communicate effectively if they don't speak the same language? How?
It is definitely possible for two people who do not speak the same language to communicate effectively in the form of non verbal communication. In the world today non verbal communication is very important. Also another way for two people to communicate who do not share the same language is to have an interpreter present to help with the language barrier.
Today computer programs are equipped with the ability to change words from one language to another. That is a powerful tool to help two people that do not understand the same language communicate better with each other. Non verbal communication is still one of the better ways to communicate especially if there is no interpreter or computer around to help. The facial expressions you make can go a long way in communication. Depending on what country the person is from you are communicating with, certain body movements like the way you move your arms or legs can be forms of communication. The way you present yourself with a strong handshake can be a positive form of communication if two people do not share the same language.
We communicate with each other in far more ways beyond talk and speech. Body language helps to enhance meaning of what we say and impress upon others emotion, feeling, context, and all sorts of communicable expressions. Using facial expressions, gestures, and posture are nonverbal communication tips that can be useful for effective discussion with others. An open posture is important. By sitting straighter or standing tall, we display a more open impression to others, inviting conversation and interaction. Avoiding a hunched position or a bent one is best to show that we welcome others. We also feel better, as our posture can affect our mood. (lifescript.com,2007)
Conclusion
Overall Intercultural communication comes in many forms. Whether it is the way someone dresses, the way someone communicates with other people when there is a language barrier. Non verbal communication is the best way but other forms will always come in handy. In today’s world you might always be dealing with people from different cultural backgrounds, so it is good to know that you understand that every country is different and that it is wise to know a lot of the customs so you are able to make sure your communication with that person is always a good one.
References
Cultural Politics (2012) Popular Culture
http://culturalpolitics.net/popular_culture
Cultural Savvy (2012) Cultural Savvy is Smart Business
http://www.culturalsavvy.com/index.htm
International Business Etiquette (2006) Kwintessential
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/articles/international-business-etiquette.html
Lifescript (2007) Nonverbal Communication Tips That Get Your Point Across
http://www.lifescript.com/soul/self/growth/nonverbal_communication_tips_that_get_your_point_across.aspx
No comments:
Post a Comment