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Cross-cultural Communication Being a Good Guest in a Country Not Your Own by John Henry
Cross-cultural Communication
Being a Good Guest ina Country Not Your Own
by John Henry
A bit about me
Topics
1. Culture Shock
2. Cross-cultural Tools
3. Specific Tips for Panama
4. Integration into the Culture
Symptoms of a bigger problem
wondering why everything takes so long to accomplish?
constant misunderstandings?
not being able to communicate?
perceived dishonesty or lack of integrity?
Culture Shock
Do you ever feel like Yosemite Sam?
Understanding is everything
The stages of culture shock
What stage are you at?
Cross-Cultural CommunicationCodification and De-codificationOur Perception is based upon many things
Our system of Codification
Culture or Sub-culture
Past Experiences
Personality
Attitudes
Values
Knowledge
Feelings
Culture or Sub-culture
Past Experiences
Personality
Attitudes
Values
Knowledge
Feelings
“US” “THEM”
XX
X
XX
XX
So whose responsibility is it anyway?
Everyone’s but…
Were you invited to this country by a national? I wasn’t.
Do you think everyone is happy about the government’s decision to promote this area for tourism?
A guest, whether invited or uninvited, carries the responsibility to adapt to the host’s way of doing things. Any accommodation the host makes for the guest is bonus.
Culture Shock Is Real!
Unfortunately the only way out of this vicious cycle is through engaging the last steps of cultural engagement.
Confronting deeper cultural/personal issues
Adaptation & Assimilation
Without engaging in these steps, life will be a constant frustration
It isn’t easy. Paradigm shifts.
Ready to go forward? Let’s go.
What can we do?
We can’t control others, but we can control ourselves
practical cross-cultural tools
shift of mentality
deference and interest in the other
Cross-cultural Tools
One-Down Approach
Deference
Genuine Interest in others
“I don’t know best, can you help me understand?”
Ask questions…pause and wait for the answer…actually listen
Cross-cultural Tools
Observe, observe, observe
Be slow to speak
Warm Climate Culture vs. Cold Climate Culture
Different isn’t Wrong
Cross-cultural Tools
Self-Examination
How am I perceived?
What is my relationship with my neighbors?
Am I fulfilling stereotypes?
Specific Tips for Panama
Learn history from a Panamanian perspective
“Cutting” in line
Not clearing your table at fast food
Greet when entering any room including businesses and elevators
Specific Tips for Panama
Shame—-“¡Es un Sinvergüenza!”
Obligation always in the hands of the planner
Jobs, Luncheons, Parties
The “Llamada Perdida”
Take time to talk
Body Language
Lip Pointing
Facial Expressions
Eye contact (or lack there of)
Close talking/close queueing
Staring
Body LanguageThings to avoid
Visible signs of
impatience
annoyance
anger
Pointing with the finger
Vision for the FutureIntegration and Cooperation
Integration
Whatever your reasons for coming, we are all here now
Make a commitment to make one small change each month
Pluralism
Salaam, Shalom, Being Human…
Peace is not just the absence of war
Cooperation
Different ideas of development and quality of life
Empowering
Being involved by supporting local initiatives
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