blog #2

Albert Beckham Jr.

COM 160 

March 2,2017

Blog #2

The topic that stood out to me this month was cultural communication. When  an individual visits another country where a different language is spoken, it is a clear necessity for  them to speak the  native language in order to fit in and engage in effective verbal communication. What is not so obvious, however, is that cultural barriers are greater than language barriers  because they frequently provoke reactions that are both negative and emotionally charged. What is considerate behavior in one country may be rude in another. What is a sensitive issue to one culture may not be a point of any consequence to another.

Most of time I assume that my own culture’s ways are the natural order of things. We  tend to see cultures that are different as less evolved. We think that people would all act the same way if they were behaving properly. When we come in contact with people from other cultures, we may experience indignation or irritation when a person appears to be uncooperative or rude. We are frustrated when a person with whom we are having a conversation just doesn’t  immediately understand something that seems simple. This incites a  foggy sense of disconnection when we do not have a clue as to what was just said or why, even though we thought we understood the words Culture is one of the factors that determine the way people think, act and interact; and it is composed of many layers. Some of them are obvious such as customs, arts, food and celebrations. Others like social status, body language, social interaction, sense of humor, concept of time, or even the definition of insanity – aren’t as noticeable. Body language, eye behavior and even the use of silence are valued means of communication even though they are nonverbal. In low-context cultures, however, facts, descriptions and precision of words are considered a lot more important than context.

As culture influences behavior and one’s reaction  in a given situation, it is a main element of communication in general and even more so in a business environment. Doing business with foreigners is particularly delicate. It can differ from one culture to another. What is customary in one country could be considered extremely rude in another; one needs to be aware of the other person’s  cultural values and prescriptions before we step into their world. I believe when it comes to culture, different does not mean defective.