Communicating Across Cultures

Question 1

Why is global business important?

Answer 1

Exports are essential both to the success of individual business and to a country’s economy as a whole.

Question 2

How do our values and beliefs affect our responses to other people?

Answer 2

Our values and beliefs impact our cross-cultural communications. Religious beliefs, social values, even everyday practices, all impact communication.

Question 3

How does nonverbal communication impact cross-cultural communications?

Answer 3

Nonverbal signals can be misinterpreted just as easily as can verbal symbols. For instance, no gesture has a universal meaning across all cultures.

Question 4

How to adapt or communication for cross-cultural communication.

Answer 4

Learning a little of the language of the country helps, as does a good translator.

Question 5

Why is it important to check cultural generalizations?

Answer 5

The successful intercultural communicator is..

1. Aware of the values, beliefs, and practices in other cultures.
2. Sensitive to differences among individuals within a culture.
3. Aware that his or her preferred values and behaviors are influenced by culture and are not necessarily “right”.
4. Sensitive to verbal and nonverbal behavior.
5. Willing to ask about preferences and behaviors.
6. Flexible and open to change.