Non-verbal communication is important when communicating with people from different cultures. It is vital to consider customs related to gestures, physical contact, and other aspects of body language (Cultural differences in non-verbal communication, n.d.). In order to begin communicating with all individuals from various backgrounds, we must first be aware of our own culture as well as initiate and build relationships with other people (Building relationships with people from different cultures, n.d.).
When I communicate with authority figures, I have a more reserved demeanour that involves limited physical contact, evasive eye contact, and short, polite conversation. Steady eye contact makes me, personally, feel uncomfortable. When speaking with Asian people, this does not offend them but speaking with Caucasian people, they can take offence and I feel required to force myself to keep eye contact with people when they are speaking. Similarly, because Asians tend to be part of a high-context culture, they leave much of a message unspecified with a heavier reliance on non-verbal cues and interpretations, therefore, giving greater emphasis on subtle communication and body language (Kinsey, 2011).
Strategies for communicating effectively with different people, such as those from high-context cultures or of people in authoritative positions, include initial research about people's history and cultures, developing a better understanding of effective body language skills, as well as examining common biases related to different cultures.
Resources
Building relationships with people from different cultures. (n.d.). Community Tool Box. Retrieved from http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/culture/cultural-competence/building-relationships/main
Cultural differences in non-verbal communication. (n.d.). Vermont Department of Health. Retrieved from http://healthvermont.gov/family/toolkit/tools%5CF-6%20Cultural%20Differences%20in%20Nonverbal%20Communic.pdf
Kinsey, C. (2011). Communication across cultures. American Management Association. Retrieved from https://www.asme.org/engineering-topics/articles/business-communication/communicating-across-cultures
Hi Nicole,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog post. I especially enjoyed reading the three strategies that you chose that you believe might assist in a professional communicating more effectively. Knowing a small amount of people's history and cultures can really help us when we are trying to communicate with them. Knowing the differences in their body languages and what it means as opposed to our body languages and when certain gestures means is very important.
Great post! It is good that you know how you non verbal communicate with other people. Sometimes I think that it would be good to video tape myself so that I can see what non verbal communication I am throwing off and unaware of.
ReplyDeleteHi Nicole, Your post was truly thought provoking. Evasive eye contact is something I too can relate too. What I found interesting is one of your strategies for effectively communicating. Definitely doing research about another's persons history, culture to effectively gain an understanding of body languages is not something I initially thought of. I have researched into others areas of another's persons history, but not body language. It is something I will definitely begin to do. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteEmily~