As defined by M&W eth·no·cen·tric adjective \ˌeth-nō-ˈsen-trik\ : having or based on the idea that your own group or culture is better or more important than others.

we— human beings— generally assume that the way we make sense of things and the way we give meaning to symbols is the “right,” “correct,” and often “superior” way. One of the goals in this book is to challenge these ethnocentric attitudes and to develop the ability to understand cultures from within their own frames of reference rather than interpreting and negatively evaluating other cultures from one’s own cultural position.

Sorrells, Kathryn Sorrells (2012-01-13). Intercultural Communication: Globalization and Social Justice (p. 7). SAGE Publications. Kindle Edition.

Ethnocentrism is probably one of the most important idea’s to understand when communicating interculturally. As a citizen of the United States it is vitally important that we do not think of ourselves as more exceptional or better than others because we prefer things a certain way. When examining other cultures from a point of inquiry rather than a point of ethnocentrism we may ask why something is different than we expected. I was lucky enough to travel to France and Italy and experience a mild form of cross cultural communication. I am ethnically fifty percent French and look a lot like many of the people there. One thing I noticed from a point of inquiry was: Why are the aisles in store so much smaller than in the USA? I thought and came up with the idea maybe they less space, but even in the larger department stores they often had thing placed closer together. I then started to look at more than just the aisles. I started to notice that the personal bubble of space as we call in the USA was smaller in Europe. People seems more comfortable closer together.

Positionality refers to one’s social location or position within an intersecting web of socially constructed hierarchical categories such as race, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, and physical abilities, to name a few.

Sorrells, Kathryn Sorrells (2012-01-13). Intercultural Communication: Globalization and Social Justice (p. 12). SAGE Publications. Kindle Edition.

To me positionality is our personal perspective. Our lives have formed that perspective and most people have some idea of how their perspective and opinions on things are formed. There are often many hidden factors slipped into our perspectives that we think are normal. If your good old white grandmother is racist it may seem less dangerous. As compared to if you have an African-America grandmother who experienced the other side of racism. This postionality may change your perspective on what is important in life. What we choose to ignore is also determined by our postionality. In intercultural communication we need to understand how we formed in order to be able to start to understand others perspectives. I think that our personal perspective should be fluid and adapt as both our situation changes and the knowledge of the current situation changes.

Standpoint Theory

A standpoint is a place from which to view and make sense of the world around us. Our standpoint influences what we see and what we cannot, do not, or choose not to see...(Wood, 2005).The theory is derived from...the idea that economically oppressed classes can access knowledge unavailable to the socially privileged and can generate distinctive accounts, particularly knowledge about social relations. For example, German philosopher G. W. F. Hegel… suggested that while society in general may acknowledge the existence of slavery, the perception, experience, and knowledge of slavery is quite different for slaves as compared to masters. One’s position within social relations of power produces different standpoints from which to view, experience, act, and construct knowledge about the world.

Sorrells, Kathryn Sorrells (2012-01-13). Intercultural Communication: Globalization and Social Justice (pp. 12-13). SAGE Publications. Kindle Edition.

Standpoint theory is important because it links the postionality and ethnocentrism. By understanding that our perspective is not the best we can work with others to understand both their perspective work towards a solution. With dialogue as a tool we can link multiple postionalities into a better solution for everyone scenario. Intercultural communication is difficult and requires stumbling through, but other people have experienced this stumbling and to be humble when you fail is important.

Economic globalization can be exemplified by the pull yourself up by your boot straps America myth. We have shown the world in our brief history as a country that it is ok to pull yourself up by pushing others down or away. We forced the Africans into slavery, pushed the Native Americans out of the way. This is important in intercultural communications because we must be aware of our international history when trying to market.

Take, for example, this popular Pepsi slogan: “Pepsi Brings You Back to Life.” The slogan, translated into Chinese, reads, “Pepsi Brings Your Ancestors Back From the Grave.” Or the Coors beer slogan, “Turn it loose,” when translated into Spanish, told the consumer to “Suffer from diarrhea.”

Sorrells, Kathryn Sorrells (2012-01-13). Intercultural Communication: Globalization and Social Justice (p. 34). SAGE Publications. Kindle Edition.

In order for these businesses to thrive in an international market they must be able to communicate effectively. The argument still remains on if these companies should have more reach than they already do, but I think the international economics will continue to evolve and business with have to adapt or be left behind.

Political globalization is apparent with the Arab spring. Capitalism and democracy have worked for us and other but is not always the best solution. Different mixes of socialism and communism work differently depending on the mindset of the people. As the USA politically we seem to push democracy even if it is a corrupt democracy. Finding the balance of which political system will work is complicated and many factors must be understood.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Market_socialism

Market socialism is an example of less economic disparity due to political control. Even the idea of first second and third world comes from the value of communism being lower than democracy.

The concept of the First World, Second World, and Third World is a relic of the Cold War period initially used to describe the relationship between the United States and other countries. The First World referred to countries friendly to United States and were identified as capitalist and democratic. The Second World referred to countries perceived as hostile and ideologically incompatible with the United States— the former Soviet bloc countries, China, and their allies— and were identified as communist. The Third World referred to countries that were seen as neutral or nonaligned with eitherthe First World (capitalism) or the Second World (communism).

Sorrells, Kathryn Sorrells (2012-01-13). Intercultural Communication: Globalization and Social Justice (p. 30). SAGE Publications. Kindle Edition.

I found this interesting because I have used these terms not understanding what they meant. I will rethink in the future the implications of using the terms first, second and third world.

Cultural globalization: Globalization characterized by migration, the formation of transnational cultural connectivities, cultural flows in the context of unequal power relations, and the emergence of hybrid cultural forms and identities

Sorrells, Kathryn Sorrells (2012-01-13). Intercultural Communication: Globalization and Social Justice (p. 252). SAGE Publications. Kindle Edition.

For example we have exported our former smoking advertising culture to Indonesia.

http://hbo.vice.com/episode-seven

Here is the episode of Vice that looks at Indonesia and how America has exported smoking advertising. In this episode they show how regulations country to country can change what is allowed. Specifically comparing the USA and Indonesia, the USA has lots of anti-smoking advertising laws and others regulations such as a legal age to smoke. In Indonesia there isn’t a legal smoking age and this couple this lack of regulation with our powerful old advertising from when smoking was legal to advertise in the USA. Of course they have Indonesian people in some of the more modern advertising but this is interesting example of how the culture we have discarded can be picked up by others.

It can be easy to hold onto what you think is correct. I was taught in school that Columbus discovered America, although that may not be true he did signify the start of the major voyages. I find it easier to understand others struggles when put into perspective. This hit hard.

 Imagine, for example, if Germany celebrated its Holocaust with a “Hitler Day” as the United States does with Columbus Day?

Sorrells, Kathryn Sorrells (2012-01-13). Intercultural Communication: Globalization and Social Justice (p. 60). SAGE Publications. Kindle Edition.

David Stannard (1992) wrote, “The destruction of the Indians of the Americas was, far and away, the most massive act of genocide in the history of the world” (p. x). The devastating genocide of indigenous peoples of the Americas is one of many silenced histories.

Sorrells, Kathryn Sorrells (2012-01-13). Intercultural Communication: Globalization and Social Justice (p. 60). SAGE Publications. Kindle Edition.

Nelson Anderson

Cross cultural communication.

A typical American cultural characteristic is having broad expectations that other cultural groups will conform to the “standard” American culture (language, dress, food, traditions); while in America and abroad.  Fostering the values and principles of cultural diversity and inclusion is essential in facilitating deep dialogue.  Create an environment where cross-cultural diversity is highly valued.  Create new cross-cultural learning opportunities and build strong team connections through cross-cultural class dialogue exercises and cross-cultural projects.   

In every culture there are basic standards for social interaction such as personal space distance, eye contact, gestures, negotiating style, etc.  For instance, in America, we prefer distance (around 18 inches) when engaged in normal conversation; prefer very direct eye contact; and negotiate very directly always asking the other party for their “bottom line”.  Basic social interactions in other cultures, such as the traditional Japanese culture, include the need to avoid touching in public, and to avoid prolonged eye contact since it is considered rude.  Also, the first part of a formal meeting may focus on establishing an atmosphere of friendliness, harmony and trust.  The workgroup is strongly united with no competition; all succeed or all fail. Decision-making is by consensus.  When communicating in a culturally diverse environment, be aware of these differences and do not jump to conclusions if someone reacts in an unexpected way.

Cultures may have very different norms around hierarchy, structure and power.  They may be more individualistic or more collective in how decisions are made and how problems are solved.  For example, in some cultures, employees may expect managers to explain something and provide very clear direction.  In other cultures, the manager and employee may have a conversation together to plan the outcomes and do the work together.  In another example, a busy meeting might be highly collaborative and include participatory decision making or, in contrast, decision making and negotiation might rest with the senior leaders.  Take Korea where job titles are extremely important as organizations are run top down and promotions are based on seniority and tenure.  Often, leaders in Korean business are greeted with a job title and superiors are seldom called by first name.  In contrast to the United States, promotions are generally conducted based on performance and first names are used much more commonly when communicating with superiors. Be mindful as to what might be the hierarchical structures in another culture. 

Cultures may be predominantly masculine or feminine and these tendencies may shape communication standards for those cultures.  For example, more masculine cultures may favor assertiveness and decision making by males.  More feminine cultures may be the opposite with more equality between sexes in decision making.  In cross-cultural communication, be aware of the differences that may impact who does most of the talking, how power is balanced, how emotions are expressed and how decisions are made.  In the United Arab Emirates, it is considered improper to inquire about a man’s wife or daughter as family life that involves female members is kept extremely private.  It is important to look at it from the perspective of the other culture and to respect those differences.

Research the culture you are going to visit/live in. Understanding the language is always useful. Non-verbal communication is up to 75% of the message you are portraying that means that your body language is most of the message that others are getting. Facial expressions are the only body language to be universal across all cultures. From culture to culture the interpretations of and certain uses of expressions can change. The basic expressions of anger, disgust, fear, joy, sadness, and surprise are the most recognizable. The responses from others facial expressions can give you information. The key with cross cultural communication is to not make assumptions with the data. Confirm your assumptions by asking questions.  

In American culture you can make a joke by emphasizing certain details. Humor does not always carry over to other cultures. Try to avoid using things like sarcasm and humor especially in cultures that have tonal languages. In tonal languages (such as Arabic, and Chinese) the way that you say a word denotes the meaning of that word.  That means that if you say the word with a deep, bass filled voice versus a high nasally voice it can dramatically change the meaning of the word. All languages use tone to show emotional value and covey other information. Be aware of the words that you use as well as how you say them. If you stress or emphasize the wrong words in different ways it dramatically changes the meaning of what you are saying.