The key to effective cross-cultural communication is knowledge.
The
key
to
effective
cross-cultural
communication
is
knowledge
.
First, it is essential that people understand the potential problems of cross-cultural communication, and make a conscious effort to overcome these problems.
First
,
it
is
essential
that
people
understand
the
potential
problems
of
cross-cultural
communication
,
and
make
a
conscious
effort
to
overcome
these
problems
.
Second, it is important to assume that one's efforts will not always be successful, and adjust one's behavior appropriately.
Second
,
it
is
important
to
assume
that
one
's
efforts
will
not
always
be
successful
,
and
adjust
one
's
behavior
appropriately
.
For example, one should always assume that there is a significant possibility that cultural differences are causing communication problems, and be willing to be patient and forgiving, rather than hostile () and aggressive, if problems develop.
For
example
,
one
should
always
assume
that
there
is
a
significant
possibility
that
cultural
differences
are
causing
communication
problems
,
and
be
willing
to
be
patient
and
forgiving
,
rather
than
hostile
(
)
and
aggressive
,
if
problems
develop
.
One should respond slowly and carefully in cross-cultural exchanges, not jumping to the conclusion that you know what is being thought and said.
One
should
respond
slowly
and
carefully
in
cross-cultural
exchanges
,
not
jumping
to
the
conclusion
that
you
know
what
is
being
thought
and
said
.
William Ury's suggestion for heated conflicts is to stop, listen, and think, or as he puts it "go to the balcony ()" when the situation gets tense.
William
Ury
's
suggestion
for
heated
conflicts
is
to
stop
,
listen
,
and
think
,
or
as
he
puts
it
``
go
to
the
balcony
(
)
''
when
the
situation
gets
tense
.
By this he means withdraw from the situation, step back, and reflect on what is going on before you act.
By
this
he
means
withdraw
from
the
situation
,
step
back
,
and
reflect
on
what
is
going
on
before
you
act
.
What could be going on here?
What
could
be
going
on
here
?
Is it possible I misinterpreted what they said, or they misinterpreted me?
Is
it
possible
I
misinterpreted
what
they
said
,
or
they
misinterpreted
me
?
Often misinterpretation is the source of the problem.
Often
misinterpretation
is
the
source
of
the
problem
.
Often intermediaries who are familiar with both cultures can be helpful in cross-cultural communication situations.
Often
intermediaries
who
are
familiar
with
both
cultures
can
be
helpful
in
cross-cultural
communication
situations
.
They can translate both the substance and the manner of what is said.
They
can
translate
both
the
substance
and
the
manner
of
what
is
said
.
For instance, they can tone down strong statements that would be considered appropriate in one culture but not in another, before they are given to people from a culture that does not talk together in such a strong way.
For
instance
,
they
can
tone
down
strong
statements
that
would
be
considered
appropriate
in
one
culture
but
not
in
another
,
before
they
are
given
to
people
from
a
culture
that
does
not
talk
together
in
such
a
strong
way
.
They can also adjust the timing of what is said and done.
They
can
also
adjust
the
timing
of
what
is
said
and
done
.
Some cultures move quickly to the point; others talk about other things long enough to establish a close relationship with the other person.
Some
cultures
move
quickly
to
the
point
;
others
talk
about
other
things
long
enough
to
establish
a
close
relationship
with
the
other
person
.
The key to effective cross-cultural communication is knowledge. First, it is essential that people understand the potential problems of cross-cultural communication, and make a conscious effort to overcome these problems. Second, it is important to assume that one's efforts will not always be successful, and adjust one's behavior appropriately.  For example, one should always assume that there is a significant possibility that cultural differences are causing communication problems, and be willing to be patient and forgiving, rather than hostile () and aggressive, if problems develop. One should respond slowly and carefully in cross-cultural exchanges, not jumping to the conclusion that you know what is being thought and said.  William Ury's suggestion for heated conflicts is to stop, listen, and think, or as he puts it "go to the balcony ()" when the situation gets tense. By this he means withdraw from the situation, step back, and reflect on what is going on before you act. What could be going on here? Is it possible I misinterpreted what they said, or they misinterpreted me? Often misinterpretation is the source of the problem.  Often intermediaries who are familiar with both cultures can be helpful in cross-cultural communication situations. They can translate both the substance and the manner of what is said. For instance, they can tone down strong statements that would be considered appropriate in one culture but not in another, before they are given to people from a culture that does not talk together in such a strong way. They can also adjust the timing of what is said and done. Some cultures move quickly to the point; others talk about other things long enough to establish a close relationship with the other person.