02/09/2021 - Week 5: Cultural Miscommunication

As we mentioned in the previous posts, all cultures are different. They can vary on so many distinct aspects, like time, and because of that, some misunderstandings can occur (We will talk about some of these misunderstandings in the next posts). Those misunderstandings are more common when related to concepts of politeness, kindness, and grief.

What is polite in one culture, may be rude and inadequate in another. And this happens because cultures have different values and beliefs, leading to one behave to be judge differently in each culture. Check this video for a better understanding:

In this video, we can take a look at how people from distinct cultures may understand the same situation, and also react to it. Because of their different background, they picture those things in distinct ways, evaluate and lead to also distinct conclusions. This happens because the icebergs of our cultures have an unseen basis, that others cannot understand just by superficial look (they might think they are traveling in safe waters, but they are about to crash in the ice). They have to observe it, ask, and try to understand the hidden bases.

Let’s review the Brazilian mom and Italian teacher interaction on the video, for example (1:08 in the video). By her superficial look, the teacher thought the mom was too restrictive and demanding on her child’s education. But, by a more profound and guided look, the teacher could understand that the mom’s culture is more demanding on reading and writing, and kids start those studies pretty early on school (as a Brazilian, I can confirm this fact). By a study of the cultural “iceberg”, the teacher could understand the demand and better react to those requirements.

But how we avoid miscommunication happening while we communicate? Well, that is not as hard as it seems. If we look ahead and try to understand the cultures of those we interact with, paying attention to possible miscommunications, we can get ourselves out of a lot of problems. Still, we may slip in our communications. Just remember that miscommunications are always possible to happen, and try to understand their sides before judging them. As John Ivers said, they are not trying to frustrate you, they have good intentions, they are just working off of different paradigms.

Comments

02/16/2021 - Week 7: Cross-Cultural Students in the Classroom

Visiting an American High School a few years ago, I notice some things that vary from my experience back in Brazil. The books stayed in the classroom after the lecture, and sports were such a big deal. I already had expected some of the things, like changing class constantly, but it didn't shrink my surprise. I just visited it twice, and I was still confused with so many class changes and new subjects I would never expect in Brazil. Just two days left me confused, and I was not even required to do the homework or participate. So imagine how confusing it must be to an Asian student who just moved to the US. and it is still learning the language must feel on his first day of school. Cross-cultural students may face confusion or chock not only on the first day but also during a long period of time. No matter if they are immigrants or from an exchange program, teachers and classmates must understand the differences and include them in the class. An Asian stud...

02/02/2021 - Week 5: Cultural Paradigms

When I visited the U.S. four years ago, I was on the moon. Seeing the houses, streets, and even people made me feel inside of an old TV show. It was like the High School Music American dream coming true. But, taking out the wonder, and a tiny bit of excitement, I felt like a fish out of the water. Even though I had contact with American culture almost my whole life, part by the media and part by some relatives who live there, it was still weird. Some things that were normal to me just weren’t for them. I felt like that astronaut in the movie Planet 51. But instead of raining rocks, I was in a land where people flushed toilet paper inside of the toilet. If only two months there made me feel this way, I imagine what goes on the minds of those who had to move permanently to another country. How is it to know that these different concepts now are part of your life? How is it to feel ashamed or see others laughing at you for something that is just natural? ...

02/16/2021 - Week 7: Differences in Manners

What is polite for you? Well, this might sound like a weird question, but manners are not as stable and constant as we think. Each culture, and even subculture, have different manners, making what is polite and what isn't vary drastically. In some cultures, for example, it is polite to shake hands strongly, to show you are determined and dedicated. This same gesture, in the Philippines, may scare them like you're crushing their arm. Let´s check some of the differences around the world. Greeting - Handshake, Bow, or Wave? As you probably know, greeting someone can vary a lot between cultures. It may show how personal space is in that culture. So, when in contact with another culture, observe what they do and try to fit in. In some religions, like Muslims and Orthodox Jews, it is inappropriate for a man and woman who are not family related to touch each other, like shake hands. They avoid touching each other as long as possible...

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