Intercultural communication skills are needed to communicate or share information with persons from other social groups and cultures. The capabilities provide individuals with an understanding that diverse cultures have unique thought patterns, standards, and customs. The difference mainly occurs due to the influence that practice has on people’s values, thinking, identity, and beliefs.
Jack from New Zealand acquired a sale representative job in a renown electronic firm in Scotland. The cultures in New Zealand are informal, and when addressing associates, a person uses their first name typically. However, in Scotland, the practice is more formal, and colleagues use titles such as Dr., Mrs., Mr., or an individual family name to address them. Jack was in a challenging situation after taking a job in a country with different cultural backgrounds. He could not understand why people have to use long title addressing people when they already knew their first name. Jack found it unnecessary to use the titles which made him have a conflict with some of his workmates who termed the behavior as disrespectful. According to Scotland culture, one would only use an individual first name after asking for permission. Using their first name without an agreement was considered rude.
Additionally, jack experienced difficulties with specific phrases which were misunderstood in the workplace. The regular business expressions that are used by citizens of New Zealand were either new or misinterpreted. Native colleagues used slang and jargon during discussions which were challenging to understand. The situation could also result to misunderstand or confusion affecting his ability to mingle. Native workmates had common phrases and quotes that were unfamiliar to jack. During lunch and break hours other colleagues could interact freely while using jokes that would make others laugh. Jack’s way of communication was so different that even what he said with the aim of laughter would result in questions (Elizabeth). The relationship was tensed, and Jack was discouraged from expressing himself where he would choose words before talking. The incident strongly relates to Hopper article Individualist or Collectivist? How Cultures Influence Behavior.
The article describes the impact of culture in relationships with people with the same practice experiencing stable and permanent connections.
Jack was also used to handshaking workmates whenever they met on a new day which was a common practice in their culture. However, the move was not attractive to the natives. Scots use non-verbal codes as an exciting part of communication. Handshaking is used less frequently compared to New Zealand (Cardenas). People from the two cultures are influenced by different happenings while growing up which results in producing personnel with specific attitudes towards life and work.
There is quite a difference between countries of diverse cultures where high and low context are instrumental when communicating. New Zealand, for instance, is a low context nation where people express feelings and thoughts directly through words. The method of communication provides little or no error for misunderstanding. Verbal communication is easier to understand when individuals speak the same language. Irrespective of diverse culture a person can comprehend and get the general meaning of what others are saying (Cardenas). Scotland is a high context nation, and tonal which make it easy to misinterpret and misunderstand issues. Non-verbal codes can be ambiguous where facial expression and gestures can be interpreted in different ways particularly during interactions between individuals of different cultures. The practices of the countries relate to Cardenas article Collectivist and Individualist.
According to chapter 2 of the Interplay textbook culture is an essential tool in intercultural communication. People who live in diverse countries should know how to communicate and engage with other cultures. Individuals should connect respectfully while still getting the correct information across without misunderstanding. The skills educate persons appropriate and inappropriate ways of approaching communication with people from another culture.
Works Cited
Cardenas. "Collectivist " Individualist – Cardenas Psychological Services." Drcardenas.com. N.p., 2018. Web. 14 Dec. 2018.
Elizabeth, Hopper. "Individualist or Collectivist? How Culture Influences Behavior." HealthyPsych.com. N.p., 2018. Web. 14 Dec. 2018.
