Ten tips for cross cultural communication
Here we come up with certain tips for you to improve your cross cultural communication skills:
Ø Be lucid
English is the language used mainly for cross cultural understanding. This doesn’t mean that you have to be fast and fluent in your language. All you have to do is to slow down the language that you say and make it much clear and ensure the pronunciation that you make is lucid.
Ø One at a time
Never ask too many questions to the listener at a time. For example avoid questions like “shall we stop here or should we move on?” While you are in a cross cultural situation make sure either of the questions is asked and let the listener make his choice in giving the answer.
Ø Evade off-putting queries
Use of negative queries have created many misunderstandings in the cross cultural communications. In certain yes/no queries the answer for a negative question may be ‘yes’ showing the response for the question. For example consider the “question are you not eating?” may be ‘yes’ which means ‘yes, I am not eating.’ But while giving an answer simply as ‘yes’ the listener may be confused thinking that you might have meant that you are eating. So better avoid such off-putting queries.
Ø Take turns.
In cross cultural communication, you make take turns i.e. once you make your point clear then you must wait for the response of the other.
Ø Note down
If you couldn’t get the proper idea of what is being explained then do have a habit of writing it down so that you can refer it later. This will be in the case of large figures like a billion in UK means 1,000,000,000,000 whereas in USA means 1,000,000,000.
Ø Be compassionate
The main essence for the cross cultural communication is being relaxed at its most. If you are willing to give an encouragement to those who are weak at English then it will help to develop a confidence, support and a deep trust in you.
Ø Verify gist
While communicating across cross cultures never make any assumptions about what the other person has understood. Always try to be a good listener and make sure you make a summary of what you explained before you stop so as to verify. To ensure the cross cultural communication this is an effective way.
Ø Shun jargon
Idioms, slang and sayings are something which can’t be completely grasped by even the most well educated foreigner. So the problem which is to arise is that the words will be tacit with its missed meaning.
Ø Stare at the humor.
Business is considered with much of seriousness in almost all the cultures. Etiquette and professionalism will be observed all the time. While using humor or joke in any of the business context think about how the other culture understand that and in reason for that many of the cultures do not appreciate them. An example is that, the sarcasm of brutish mainly creates a negative impact abroad.
Ø Maintain etiquette
Almost all cultures have different etiquette while communicating. So the best way is to undergo an awareness training on cross cultural communication or some research on the target culture.
Cross cultural communication is the way which is used to minimize the misunderstandings and maximize the understanding to create strong relationships.