1. © 2008 Pearson Prentice Hall 4-1 Chapter 4: Communicating across Cultures PowerPoint by Hettie A. Richardson Louisiana State University

2. © 2008 Pearson Prentice Hall 4-2 Opening Profile: Keeping Your Foot out of Your Mouth Small slips can be big errors: “Hello, wife of the boss” “Thank you for your hostility” Patting someone on the head Do you shake hands, bow, hug, or kiss when meeting someone?

3. © 2008 Pearson Prentice Hall 4-3 Cultural Noise BehaviorAttribution American: “How long will it take to finish this report?” American: I asked him to participate. Greek: He is the boss. Why doesn’t he tell me? Greek: “I don’t know. How long should it take?” American: He refuses to take responsibility. Greek: I asked for an order.

4. © 2008 Pearson Prentice Hall 4-4 Trust in Communication Business transactions based on long- standing vs. arm’s length relationships High propensity to trust: Nordic countries, China, Canada, US, Britain Low propensity to trust: Brazil, Turkey, Romania, Slovenia, Latvia

5. © 2008 Pearson Prentice Hall 4-5 The GLOBE Project and Communication High performance orientation (e.g., US)  present objective information directly and explicitly Low assertiveness (e.g., Sweden)  two-way discourse and friendly relationships High humane orientation (e.g., Ireland)  avoid conflict, be supportive

6. © 2008 Pearson Prentice Hall 4-6 Cultural Variables in Communication Attitudes Stereotyping Social organization e.g., United Auto Workers (UAW) Thought patterns The meaning of double lines

7. © 2008 Pearson Prentice Hall 4-7 Cultural Variables in Communication Roles Language “Come out of the grave with Pepsi” When “yes” doesn’t mean “yes”

8. © 2008 Pearson Prentice Hall 4-8 Cultural Variables in Communication Nonverbal communication Kinesic behavior (e.g., sticking out the tongue in China) Proxemics (e.g., the corner office, closeness when talking) Paralanguage (e.g., the sound of silence) Object language (e.g., monochronic vs. polychronic)

9. © 2008 Pearson Prentice Hall 4-9 Management Focus: Oriental Poker Face “Oriental poker face” and “idiotic Asian smile” American mask of confidence

10. © 2008 Pearson Prentice Hall 4-10 Comparative Management in Focus: Communicating with Arabs Arabs are quick to “sound off” Communication is built on friendship, honor, hospitality Arabs are high-contact communicators Time is key in communication process

11. © 2008 Pearson Prentice Hall 4-11 Communication Channels Information systems Speed of information flow and use Informal sources of information Ningensei vs. adversarial

12. © 2008 Pearson Prentice Hall 4-12 Information Technology Global reach does not necessarily mean global business The web is impersonal, but may require greater cultural sensitivity There is a predicted annual growth rate of 70% for non-English-language cites and usage

13. © 2008 Pearson Prentice Hall 4-13 Managing Cross-cultural Communication Develop cultural sensitivity Anticipate the meaning the receiver will get Careful encoding Use words, pictures, and gestures Avoid slang, idioms, regional sayings

14. © 2008 Pearson Prentice Hall 4-14 Managing Cross-cultural Communication Selective transmission Build relationships face-to-face if possible Careful decoding of feedback Get feedback from multiple parties Improve listening and observation skills Follow-up actions

15. © 2008 Pearson Prentice Hall 4-15 Facilitating Intercultural Communication Openness Resilience