A 101 Introductory presentation about Cross Cultural Communication. Many and more companies are working in different geographic locations and hire their staff on local level, this is part of the Globalization. Some, if not the major, obstacles that multinational companies meet are related to miss understanding the cultural differences. In this presentation I gave basics on what is all about and I draw some basic lines that must be developed and continued, to avoid cross cultural issues.

1. 101-CROSS CULTURAL
COMMUNICATION
Gloria Stoilova - CR Supervisor
BASICS

2.  the way of life of a people passed down from one
generation to the next through LEARNING.
 Cross-cultural communication is a field of study that looks
at how people from different cultural backgrounds
communicate, in similar and different ways among
themselves, and how they Endeavour to communicate
across cultures.
 Intercultural communication is a related field of study.
Gloria Stoilova - CR Supervisor

3. Why Cross Culture
Communication is important ?
◦ Business Opportunities
◦ Job Opportunities
◦ Improves the contribution of employees in
a diverse workforce
◦ Sharing of views and ideas
◦ Talent improvisation
◦ An understanding of diverse market
Globalization: Cross border movement of people,
goods and data brings more and more cultures into
contact with one another and increases the potential of
cross culture communication.
Gloria Stoilova - CR Supervisor

4. CULTURAL BARRIERS
 Language:
Language is one of the most obvious cultural barriers.
Differences in language can render two human beings
completely incapable of talking to one another.
 anxiety:
We live in a culturally diverse world. People will
encounter individuals from different races, religions, and
nationalities in their day to day encounters. There is often
anxiety surrounding unfamiliar cultures.
Gloria Stoilova - CR Supervisor

5. ONE OF THE MAJOR BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE
CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION IS THE
LACK OF UNDERSTANDING
THAT IS FREQUENTLY PRESENT BETWEEN PEOPLE
FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS.
AS THEY MAY HAVE DIFFERENT VALUES, BELIEFS,
METHODS OF REASONING, COMMUNICATION
STYLES, WORK STYLES, AND PERSONALITY
TYPES, COMMUNICATION DIFFICULTIES WILL
OFTEN OCCUR.
Lack of understanding:
Gloria Stoilova - CR Supervisor

6. IMPROVING
INTERCULTURAL
COMMUNICATION
Slow Down
Even when English is the common language in a cross
cultural situation, this does not mean you should speak at
normal speed. Slow down, speak clearly and ensure your
pronunciation is intelligible.
Separate Questions
Try not to ask double questions such as, "Do you want to
carry on or shall we stop here?" In a cross cultural situation
only the first or second question may have been
comprehended. Let your listener answer one question at a
time.
Gloria Stoilova - CR Supervisor

7. AVOID NEGATIVE
QUESTIONS
Many cross cultural communication
misunderstandings have been caused by the
use of negative questions and answers.
In English we answer 'yes' if the answer is
affirmative and 'no' if it is negative.
In other cultures a 'yes' or 'no' may only be
indicating whether the questioner is right or
wrong.
For example, the response to "Are you not
coming?" may be 'yes', meaning 'Yes, I am not
coming.‘
Gloria Stoilova - CR Supervisor

8. OBSERVATION
It is always best to observe the
behaviors of the group and follow
their lead.
Gloria Stoilova - CR Supervisor

9. In low-context cultures, such as in
academic communities, communication
is mostly verbal and written. Very little
information is this culture is
communicate nonverbally.
Watch out for your gestures – they can make people to
accept you faster, BUT not properly used they can (and
will) put you in great troubles.
Nonverbal
Communication
Gloria Stoilova - CR Supervisor

10. MEANINGS OF HAND GESTURES
IN DIFFERENT CULTURES.
The well known O.K. sign… can put you
in troubles at different parts of the
Globe – lets see….
USA= OK
JAPAN=MONEY.
RUSSIA=ZERO
TURKEY/VENEZUELA (South America)
= HOMOSEXUAL.
BRAZIL/ITALY = INSULT (=middle
finger=swearing)
ARAB COUNTRIES = YOU WILL SEE!!!
Lets not to be so trouble oriented?
Unified signs in DIVING = I am good, are you?
BUT misused under water again CAN and WILL put you into troubles.
Gloria Stoilova - CR Supervisor

11. BASICS RULES:
 Avoid use of complicated technical phrases, jargon, and
acronyms. Explain the meaning of technical language and
acronyms throughout your conversation or mail.
Listen to others -
Ask questions -
There are two basic types of questions: Open and
Closed:
Closed questions are those that can be answered by
either “yes” or “no” or with a specific bit of data.
Open questions, however, encourage people to talk.
Gloria Stoilova - CR Supervisor

12. Gloria Stoilova - CR Supervisor
We will continue to learn about
effective communication in a
separate workshop.