1. Understanding Cultures: Your Own and Others Consensus reality of a group How we agree to create our reality Ways of thinking, feeling, speaking, acting Obvious aspects and hidden aspects Hidden aspects outnumber obvious aspects by 1000 to 1 High priority beliefs = values, the roots or foundation of culture

2. Cultural Ties that Bind Values people think are most important Heroes and heroines people admire because they personify those values Myths and stories about them Rituals people engage in, either every day or on special occasions Networks that connect people Symbols everyone recognizes as shortcuts for expressing all these other elements

3. Essentials of Cultural Communication How we do things communicates our: Beliefs and values Norms – do’s and don’ts Informal, unspoken rules The ways we communicate include: Symbols Slogans Metaphors Myths & stories about heroes & heroines

4. Essentials of Cultural Communication Media Used to Communicate: Networks of relationships The grapevine Written and electronic means The Teaching/Learning Methods Used: Education and Training Correction and Direction Role Modeling

5. 10 Major Cultural Differences 1.I’m controlled or I control ? I’m controlled I control Choices for control? Inner problem or Situational Problem 2.Us-First or Me-First? Us-first Me-First Key to People Interactions Collectivist or individualist Happiness? Cut the Apron Strings or not? Individual differences within a culture

6. 10 Major Cultural Differences 3.Tight Ties or Loose Ties? Many ties that bind = Us-First Loose Ties = Me-First 4.Achievement-First or People-First? People-First = connecting,cooperating= feminine aspect Achievement-First = focus on competition, “things” = masculine aspect

7. 10 Major Cultural Differences 5.Equality or Not? Inequality = rank/status cultures Equality = democratic cultures 6.Take Risks or Play it Safe? Play it safe Take risks

8. 10 Major Cultural Differences 7.Time: Dive-Right-In or Step-by- Step? Dive-Right-In Time Step-by-Step Time 8.Space – Come Close or Back Off? Come close space Back off space

9. 10 Major Cultural Differences 9.Communicating – Direct or Indirect? Using go-betweens & implied messages Going to the person & getting to the point 10.How We Make Money = Dependence Level Agricultural Economy = dependent worldview Industrial economy = independent world view Post-industrial economy = interdependent worldview