Chapter 4 - Communicating Across Cultures

Although the “global village” was predicted years ago, it is far from being a reality.

Although many national companies do business in foreign markets, few local companies do.

Many corporations have formed multinational alliances to help them better compete in the global economy.

Because of easy access to global information via the Internet, intercultural differences lead to few misunderstanding.

As domestic markets mature, companies are increasingly looking overseas for new opportunities

Favourable trade agreements, such as NAFTA and GATT, have been passed.

The number of middle-class consumers has grown substantially around the world.

New transportation and information technologies have been developed that make global business possible.

The difficulty of travelling between countries spread around the world.

Communicating with workers in different parts of the world.

The cost of building production plants in foreign countries.

The number of misunderstandings resulting from intercultural differences

The maturing of domestic markets

The passage of favourable trade agreements such as NAFTA and GATT

The explosive growth of the middle class around the world

All of the above

Part of a melting pot where people from different ethnic groups blend together.

A cultural mosaic where individuals join the nation and still retain their cultural identities.

A river of cultures contributing to an ocean of turbulence.

None of the above

Culture is a subject that is usually taught in elementary school.

Cultural attitudes are not learned until adulthood.

We can expect to deal well with those from another culture without having to adopt new attitudes.

Culture is shaped by attitudes learned in childhood and later internalized in adulthood.

Cultures almost never change.

Advancements in technology and communication can cause culture to change.

Attitudes, behaviours, and beliefs change more quickly in closed societies than in open societies.

Only outward actions and symbols define a culture.

Penny waits patiently in line behind ten others at the bank.

A downtown office building has no 13th floor.

Sylvia is careful not to step on the cracks in the sidewalk as she walks down the street.

Kyle plants vegetables in the garden as early as possible in the spring in order to enjoy as long a growing season as possible.

The employees of the accounting department take their boss out to lunch to celebrate his birthday.

Bonnie believes that adults need to be responsible for their actions.

On Friday the 13th, Fred is especially careful in handling the glass bottles as he loads them on the conveyor belt.

At dinner each evening, Father sits at the head of the table.

Stereotype.

Prejudice.

Prototype.

None of the above.

Depend on the context of a situation to help convey their meaning.

Assume that listeners know very little and must be told practically everything.

Tend to be logical, analytical, and action-oriented.

Are likely to take words literally.

Germany.

China

Japan

Saudi Arabia

Directness.

Individualism.

Group decision making.

Informality.

USA

Japan

Canada

Germany

Canadians

Mexicans

Arabs

Japanese

Asian businesspeople have learned to use silence for reflection and contemplation.

Asians are concerned with harmony and saving face.

Mexicans often socialize before getting down to business.

North Americans, Mexicans, and Asians all equate time with money.

Tolerance.

Stereotyping.

Ethnorelativism.

Ethnocentrism.

Tolerance

Ethnorelativism

Ethnocentrism

Stereotyping

Rely solely on stereotypes to understand other cultures.

Develop tolerance of other cultures.

Develop an understanding of your own culture.

Avoid ethnocentrism.

Practicing yoga.

Practicing empathy.

Saving face.

Relying on stereotypes.

Are usually concerned with saving face.

Tend to be straightforward.

Value independence and freedom from control.

Usually place less emphasis on tradition, ceremony, and social rules.

Encourage the listener to paraphrase what’s being said.

Always learn to speak that person’s language fluently.

Speak slowly and raise your voice.

All of the above.

Speak more slowly and loudly.

Discontinue the conversation until an interpreter can be found.

Repeat the conversation but use more facial expressions and gestures to communicate more clearly

Accept blame for the misunderstanding and use simpler language.

Help the faltering speaker who is searching for the best word by finishing his or her sentences.

Speak slowly and over punctuate with pauses and full stops.

Check frequently for comprehension by asking probing questions.

Be alert to a glazed expression or wandering eyes.

Spell out all numbers.

Use short sentences and short paragraphs.

Add humour to your messages.

Use two-word verbs such as bring back rather than return.

I’d like to place an order but can’t do it now.

Please send the order to me ASAP.

A ballpark figure of around $500 should give you an idea of costs.

Thank you for telling me about your products.

We appreciate your business.

Your decision is right on the money.

You’re invited to attend the meeting that’s being held next week.

Lower sales this year have hurt the bottom line.

Begin most foreign correspondence with a humorous statement or joke.

Use the direct pattern for all foreign correspondence.

Use our standard directness and informality when writing to someone from another country, even if letters in the receiver’s country are generally formal and use a flowery tone.

Strive to accommodate your reader in organization, tone, and style.

Be predominantly Anglo-oriented and male.

Include mostly minorities.

Be increasingly made up of women, minorities, and individuals over 55 years of age.

All of the above.

When companies begin developing teams, employees automatically work well together showing less divisiveness, discontent, and clashes.

Companies that look upon diversity as an opportunity are more likely to achieve conformity in employee behaviour.

Homogeneous teams work better together and contribute the most creative solutions to problems.

Developing a diverse staff that can work together cooperatively is one of the biggest challenges facing business organizations today.

Rely on stereotypes to learn about individuals from different cultures.

Concentrate on shared experiences, mutual goals, and similar values.

Encourage individuals to conform to the company’s culture.

Assume that all individuals share the same holidays and lifestyles.