Questions about intercultural communication

[fighting spirit]

I've been dealing with intercultural communication lately, so I have some questions I couldn't find the answers to.

1. How can the differences between two cultures draw people closer to each other?
2. Could you, please, provide examples and elaborate
3. What could be a good field to explore it in? How?

Thank you ;-)

 

[bhaisahab]

I've been dealing with intercultural communication lately, so I have some questions I couldn't find the answers to.

1. How can the differences between two cultures draw people closer to each other?
2. Could you, please, provide examples and elaborate

Thank you ;-)

What are your ideas?

 

[fighting spirit]

Well, since I live in Serbia, I've been thinking about the differences between Albanians and Serbs, or Croats and Serbs but, the more I think, the less I know.
I'm aware of the differences that could hinder the communication, but I really can't see how they can improve it.

I'm sure you have some good ideas ;-)

 

[TheParser]

Well, since I live in Serbia, I've been thinking about the differences between Albanians and Serbs, or Croats and Serbs but, the more I think, the less I know.
I'm aware of the differences that could hinder the communication, but I really can't see how they can improve it.

I'm sure you have some good ideas ;-)

***** NOT A TEACHER *****



Hello, Fighting Spirit:

(1) Well, I have thought of a bad example, and when I say "bad,"

I mean "BAD"!!!

But it might give you an idea of a better example.

(2) Let's say that groups A and B dislike each other. How could their

differences bring them together? (Remember: this is truly a horrible

example!!!) Let's say A loves ice cream, but B hates ice cream. B is

is always yelling to A: "You dirty ice cream lovers!!!" Then a very wise

man in A gets an idea: he goes to B and says, "We love ice cream, but

we need cones. Would you like to manufacture our cones?" Well, B --

like every other group -- is not going to turn down a chance to make

money. So today B not only makes cones for A, but B even encourages

A to eat more and more ice cream.

(3) I know no thing about the former Yugoslavia, but is there something

that could bring the various groups together -- even if it is only

"making ice cream cones" for profit?

(4) Here in the United States, we have a saying: Make lemonade out of

lemons. That is, lemons are sour, so add some water and sugar to make

a delicious drink. OK, so the relations among the various groups of the

former Yugoslavia are "sour." Is there some way to add some "sugar" and

make some "lemonade"?


Sincerely,


James


P.S. Congratulations on your efforts. The former Yugoslavia can become

a wonderful place if all the groups realize the benefits of cooperating

with one another.

 

[symaa]

I've been dealing with intercultural communication lately, so I have some questions I couldn't find the answers to.

1. How can the differences between two cultures draw people closer to each other?

I am also reading a book concerning the intercultural communication, but I think most of the time the differences between two cultures do not draw people closer to eacher other but it is rather the opposite due to some barriers of intercultural communication .

Thank you Mr.James for your detailed answer:up::up::up:, I appreciate it even I do not understand it very well:-|.
All the best for you:up:.

 

[fighting spirit]

TheParser thank you so much
whenever I have a question, you're always there to answer and give nice, inspiring examples.

When I mentioned the differences with the aim of communicating in a more positive manner, I wasn't refering only to the former Yugoslavia, that was just the first thing on my mind. I can think of many differences among former Yugoslavian countries, but still, I found nothing that could link them in a positive way

Symaa thanks. Yes, cultural differences represent the barriers in communication but, believe it or not, they can also draw people closer to each other. Still, I don't know how :roll:

 

[Tdol]

It depends on how people respond to those differences- they can bring people together or drive them apart. I don't think it's a question of the differences themselves. People have to want to accept and understand the differences and respect them- some do, others don't.

 

[fighting spirit]

Thanks for reply.
I know that, but I still need concrete examles :-(

 

[5jj]

I know that, but I still need concrete examples :-(

Perhaps your lack of success in finding examples suggests that there aren't many in real life.

Despite the best efforts of many well-intentioned people to draw people of different cultures together, most of us appear to feel that our way of life is best. While we are often happy enough to try to bring our 'enlightened' ways to others, we are not very good at really valuing theirs.

 

[Tdol]

Differences are neutral, so I think the question is flawed. Differences don't do anything- people do. People come closer together because they want to (or not) and they have to adapt and learn to do so. I honestly can't see how a difference on its own can bring people together.

 

[TheParser]

Thanks for reply.
I know that, but I still need concrete examles :-(

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


(1) It's I again!!! (OK -- in regular English -- It's me again.)

(2) It seems that you asked a SUPER difficult question. Maybe

differences cannot bring groups closer.

(3) Anyway, here is an example that I thought of.

(a) Here in the United States there is a small religious group called the

Amish. I know almost nothing about them. (Perhaps some other posters

do and will enlighten us.) I hear that they do not drive cars (only

horse and buggies); they dress in black (I think they do not use buttons);

they live on farms; they do not use electricity, etc. You get the

idea. The "other" group would be the city folks. In

other words -- people who are not Amish. Here are two different groups.

In discussing your question with my brother, he mentioned that maybe

the differences cause curosity and even envy, thus bringing the groups

closer to each other. For example, I hear that some "regular" folks from

the city visit Amish farms to see how they live. And I hear that some

city folks are pretty impressed by the simplicity of life. Not that that

the city folks want to live like Amish, but they start to feel more respect

for the Amish. And the Amish? Well, as they meet people from the city,

maybe they also start to realize that the city folks aren't that bad. In

fact, I hear that the Amish now allow the use of telephones in the case of

emergencies. Maybe their contact with city folks convinced them that

the city folks had something of value to add to Amish life. And, there

have been a few motion picture dramas about the Amish (for example,

a movie -- strictly fictional -- about the Amish and a murder). I think that

it was fairly successful: the curosity factor may have driven people to the

movie. And maybe the audience felt a little "closer" to the Amish after

seeing that they are human beings like the rest of us.

(4) Finally, there is an example of envy that might be an example of

bringing groups closer. I have to be indirect and SUPER careful about this

one. Here in the United States, there is a group (A) that has a

reputation for encouraging scholarship among their children. In other

words, most of their children are great students. Then there are some

groups whose children, in general, do not do so well in school. Well, this

difference sometimes brings the two sides together. That is, the other

groups sometimes communicate with group A to discover A's "secret"

in motivating their children.


(5) Is there some way that you could consider curosity and envy as

factors in bringing certain groups closer together?


James


P.S. If you do find some good examples, please share them with us.

 

[fighting spirit]

Wow, I don't know how to thank you for the effort you've made to help me.

Now, the answer to the question appears closer than I thought it would be.

If I find more examples, (and I'm sure I will), I'll be glad to share them with you.
:-D:-D:-D

 

[symaa]

Perhaps your lack of success in finding examples suggests that there aren't many in real life.

Despite the best efforts of many well-intentioned people to draw people of different cultures together, most of us appear to feel that our way of life is best. While we are often happy enough to try to bring our 'enlightened' ways to others, we are not very good at really valuing theirs.

Yes, it is true that the ethnocentrism is the most factor that hinders an effective intercultural communication.

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


(1) It's I again!!! (OK -- in regular English -- It's me again.)

(2) It seems that you asked a SUPER difficult question. Maybe

differences cannot bring groups closer.

(3) Anyway, here is an example that I thought of.

(a) Here in the United States there is a small religious group called the

Amish. I know almost nothing about them. (Perhaps some other posters

do and will enlighten us.) I hear that they do not drive cars (only

horse and buggies); they dress in black (I think they do not use buttons);

they live on farms; they do not use electricity, etc. You get the

idea. The "other" group would be the city folks. In

other words -- people who are not Amish. Here are two different groups.

In discussing your question with my brother, he mentioned that maybe

the differences cause curosity and even envy, thus bringing the groups

closer to each other. For example, I hear that some "regular" folks from

the city visit Amish farms to see how they live. And I hear that some

city folks are pretty impressed by the simplicity of life. Not that that

the city folks want to live like Amish, but they start to feel more respect

for the Amish. And the Amish? Well, as they meet people from the city,

maybe they also start to realize that the city folks aren't that bad. In

fact, I hear that the Amish now allow the use of telephones in the case of

emergencies. Maybe their contact with city folks convinced them that

the city folks had something of value to add to Amish life. And, there

have been a few motion picture dramas about the Amish (for example,

a movie -- strictly fictional -- about the Amish and a murder). I think that

it was fairly successful: the curosity /but almost the time curiosity without any appreciation and admiration /factor may have driven people to the

movie. And maybe the audience felt a little "closer" to the Amish after

seeing that they are human beings like the rest of us. So, it is just the impact of the film, I mean, that if there is not such a film like this, people do not make an effort to know the essence of this group of people, and just rely on their own perceptions.
(4) Finally, there is an example of envy that might be an example of

bringing groups closer. I have to be indirect and SUPER careful about this

one. Here in the United States, there is a group (A) that has a

reputation for encouraging scholarship among their children. In other

words, most of their children are great students. Then there are some

groups whose children, in general, do not do so well in school. Well, this

difference sometimes brings the two sides together. That is, the other

groups sometimes communicate with group A to discover A's "secret"

in motivating their children.


(5) Is there some way that you could consider curosity and envy as

factors in bringing certain groups closer together?


James


P.S. If you do find some good examples, please share them with us.

Really, always you amaze as by your simplified answers, I want to seize the opportunity to express my sincere feeling of gratitude for your great efforts.:up::up:

As I see, and as you mention before Maybe differences cannot bring groups closer especially when the other is different in race ,religion, colour and so on,because people rely on the appearances and prejudices.
But if we have a stong will and good intention we can acheive an effective communication regardless of the differences.

Best rgards

 

[TheParser]

[QUOTE=fighting spirit


***** NOT A TEACHER *****


(1) I have just had the strangest case of how differences can bring

-- in this case -- two persons together.

(2) Yesterday I learned for the first time in my life about a famous

Polish foreign correspondent named Ryszard Kapuscinski (who is now

deceased). I have always loved journalism and thought that I knew

about famous reporters. Well, I didn't. Only yesterday did I discover

that he was -- so to speak -- THE foreign correspondent of foreign

correspondents. Of course, his name really troubled me. I did not

even try to pronounce it. (I can hardly pronounce English!!!)

For some reason, his first name frightened me even more than his last

name. Then a few minutes ago, I tried to pronounce his name. When

I did (no matter how badly), an idea came to my mind, and I immediately

rushed to "Professor Google." Yes, "Ryszard" is the Polish word for

"Richard." And how does this fact bring me closer to Ryszard Kapuscinski?

"Richard" is my brother's name. The moral of this story: maybe differences

("Ryszard" and "Richard") are not so different.



Sincerely,


James

 

[symaa]

Thank you ver much sir James for sharing your time and your ideas.

Just an idea:-?: diferences in culture, languages and so on could make people eager to know more and more, we can perceive this especially in forum friendships, between people from other countries.

 

[birdeen's call]

The Amish example is interesting. You might want to have a look at this Wikipedia article. I think the biggest problem that people of different cultures have to overcome if they want to respect one another is that different cultures may have different moralities. It's often very difficult to respect people whose actions seem immoral to us. It may appear immoral for some people not to send a child to school. However, the Amish think otherwise. How can this problem be solved? On the other hand, the Amish, who are historically a branch of the Anabaptist movement, have very strong views on many social behaviours. Anabaptists are generally very peaceful (to the best of my knowledge, they are one of the few Christian denominations who never persecuted any members of other denominations), but it doesn't mean that they accept other views.

James, I'm very glad that you have discovered Kapuściński. He's one of my favourite writers. Perhaps you will be interested in learning about another great Polish journalist, Melchior Wańkowicz.

 

[birdeen's call]

James, I have found a sound file on the internet, which contains the pronunciation of Kapuściński's name. Here it is: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Pl-Ryszard_Kapuściński.ogghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pl-Ryszard_Kapuściński.ogg (I hope you can play the file. I'm not sure if every kind of media player can open an .ogg file.)

 

[TheParser]

James, I'm very glad that you have discovered Kapuściński. He's one of my favourite writers. Perhaps you will be interested in learning about another great Polish journalist, Melchior Wańkowicz.

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


Thank you SO much for the link regarding Mr. Wankowicz. It was

amusing to read about his slogan "Sugar strengthens." Nowadays

no one would dare give such advice!!!

It was most interesting to read about Messrs. Kapuscinski and

Wankowicz. I'm afraid that my knowledge about journalism is

limited to the United States and England (where they still have

12 daily newspapers in London!!!). We often forget there is great

(or even greater) journalism being done in other countries, too.

Returning to Fighting Spirit's question, maybe Mr. Kapuscinski's

experience could be of help. I understand that his experiences

in Africa were an example of how different cultures can draw

closer together.


Thanks again.


James

 

[Pokemon]

I've been dealing with intercultural communication lately, so I have some questions I couldn't find the answers to.

1. How can the differences between two cultures draw people closer to each other?
2. Could you, please, provide examples and elaborate
3. What could be a good field to explore it in? How?

Thank you ;-)

Frankly speaking, I can't imagine how cultural differences can draw people closer. Differences will always alienate people. When politicians forget that, sooner or later their nations find themselves in an ethnic conflict. So, I believe, the question is how to help people cultivate friendly attitudes to one another despite those differences, on the one hand, and how to diminish the influence of those differences, on the other. First of all, the mass media should be involved and told to propagate tolerance, understanding, stimulate interest to another culture. Then the same policy should be pursued in education, since the very young age. Third, the government should encourage (housing, credits, etc) mixed marriages. Those are just a few things that I can think of at the moment.

 

[Tdol]

I have to say that I disagree with the idea of encouraging mixed marriages through credits or preferential treatment; giving incentives might actually engender resentment from those in monocultural marriages, so there's a risk that such a policy might backfire. Any barriers or obstacles to such marriages should be removed, but fairness strikes me as a better policy than preferential treatment.