Understanding Cultures for Effective Communication
The purpose of this paper
Understanding cultures for effective communication is a
is to examine the many different cultural backgrounds as a
whole and come to the realization and conclusion that other cultures have the exact same
fears and misguided interpretations that we have and face today. To understand the vast
many beliefs and traditions that each culture represents, so as to further advance our own
culture and nation .We all have an internal list of those we still don't understand, let alone
appreciate. We all have biases, even prejudices, toward specific groups. Fears usually
include being judged, miscommunication, and patronizing or hurting others
unintentionally; hopes are usually the possibility of dialogue, learning something new,
developing friendships, and understanding different points of view. At any moment that
we're dealing with people different from ourselves, the likelihood is that they carry a
similar list of hopes and fears in their back pocket.
I Understand It
Never Understand
United StatesWe communicate with others all the time, in our homes, in our workplaces, in the
groups we belong to, and in the community. No matter how well we think we understand
each other, communication is hard. Just think, for example, how often we hear things
like, "He doesn't get it," or "She didn't really hear what I meant to say." "Culture" is often
at the root of communication challenges. Our culture influences how we approach
problems, and how we participate in groups and in communities. When we participate in
groups we are often surprised at how differently people approach their work together.
Culture is a complex concept, with many different definitions. But, simply put, "culture"
refers to a group or community with which we share common experiences that shape the
way we understand the world. It includes groups that we are born into, such...