I do communicate differently with people from other cultures. One area that comes to mind particularly is
the way that I communicate with those whose primary language is not English. My desire is that I would understand them and
that they would understand me, but recently my daughter pointed out that I communicate
in a way that could be insulting. Apparently
I use fewer words, talk slowly and use a lot of hand gestures. This was unconscious on my part and I realize
that I could be making a big assumption that they don’t understand. My daughter told me that they understand
perfectly and I should talk normally.
Now that I am aware of my actions I can correct this.
The other area that I notice requires adapting my
communication is when it comes to physical touch. I notice that some people are comfortable
with touch and others seem to have a “bubble” around them. The way people greet each other varies
depending on their culture. Some of my colleagues
would be insulted if I didn’t greet them with a hug and some would be very
offended if I did. This is an area I
have to adapt to by paying attention to body language. If I notice the other person is stepping back
then I know I may be standing too close to them. I have to observe the body language with
those that I don’t know well in order to gage their comfort.
Three strategies to improve communication:
1. Being mindful of
my own actions and the actions of others during communication is important. I also need to make sure that I don’t jump to
conclusions and ask questions and reflect to gage understanding.
2. Recognize that different
nonverbal behaviors mean different things.
Gonzalez-Mena point out that we
must expand our ability to pick up on silent messages and notice when others
are uncomfortable. (2011).
3. Developing
appropriate knowledge is a very important step when learning about others.
Gonzalez-Mena mentions several types of touch that would be offensive in
certain cultures (2011). I need to make
sure that I know what some of these touches are and be ready to adjust my
personal practice accordingly.
Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Redmond, M. V. (2011).
Interpersonal communication: Relating to others (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn
& Bacon
Gonzalez-Mena, J. (2010). 50 strategies for communicating
and working with diverse families. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education,
Inc.
Lori,
ReplyDeleteYou have highlighted a very good strategy of making adjustments to our views, practices and to others. Our knowledge will help us in making the process of fostering more positive relationships. Through communicating using the strategies you suggested learning about cultural practices take place in a whole new different way and we have an appreciation for others.
Lori,
ReplyDeleteI also find myself using a lot of hand gestures when I communicate with my families whose first language is not English. I speak slower because it allows them to catch on to what I am saying, well sometimes. A lot of my parents have learned some English phrases so sometimes they speak slower in order to convey their message.
Lori, you are not the only one who had to adjust on the touching part, for example, I had to learn that too, as you know I am from Peru and usually most of the time when we meet somebody, we would give a kiss on the cheek and a hug, but when I came to the states I learned that most people don't do that so it was a learning process.
ReplyDeleteLori, I live in a Japan which is what I call a "no contact zone", when people meet or say goodbye they do so by bowing. In schools they practice bowing as well, where they count up to 10 seconds and there is no eye- contact with the other individual.
ReplyDelete