Misunderstandings: Cultural Differences
Misunderstandings
Every country has its own culture which is different from other countries’. Therefore, differences in cultures can make communication misunderstanding.
Cultural differences increase the likelihood of misunderstanding as well. If people speak different languages, the danger of bad translation is obvious. But even if people speak the same language, they may communicate in different ways. Common differences are between high-context and low-context communication. Low-context communication stands on its own; it does not require context or interpretation to give it meaning. High-context communication is more ambiguous. It requires background knowledge and understanding (context), in addition to the words themselves, for communication. While everyone uses both kinds of communication, Western cultures tend to use low-context communication more often, while Eastern and Latin American and African cultures tend to use high-context communication. If such differences are not understood and adjusted for, misunderstanding is almost inevitable.
There are many ways to communicate but now I just discuss a little about greeting. As for the Americans, they shake hands with the opposite sex and exchange cheek-kisses to express friendliness. They also use “waving motion” to call people. Slapping someone on the back (expressing happiness) is acceptable in America. The Americans can greet anyone in the family first. However, Vietnamese people greet each other in different ways. The Vietnamese do not shake hands with the opposite sex. They do not shake hands with old people or women unless they offer their hand first, slightly bow the head and/or put the hands in front of the chest in order to show more respect. Two women do not shake hands. People never exchange cheek-kisses. It is a shock to most married women. Waving motions are only used by adults to call little children but not in other way, not for anyone. It is insulting to the Vietnamese to be slapped on the
Every country has its own culture which is different from other countries’. Therefore, differences in cultures can make communication misunderstanding.
Cultural differences increase the likelihood of misunderstanding as well. If people speak different languages, the danger of bad translation is obvious. But even if people speak the same language, they may communicate in different ways. Common differences are between high-context and low-context communication. Low-context communication stands on its own; it does not require context or interpretation to give it meaning. High-context communication is more ambiguous. It requires background knowledge and understanding (context), in addition to the words themselves, for communication. While everyone uses both kinds of communication, Western cultures tend to use low-context communication more often, while Eastern and Latin American and African cultures tend to use high-context communication. If such differences are not understood and adjusted for, misunderstanding is almost inevitable.
There are many ways to communicate but now I just discuss a little about greeting. As for the Americans, they shake hands with the opposite sex and exchange cheek-kisses to express friendliness. They also use “waving motion” to call people. Slapping someone on the back (expressing happiness) is acceptable in America. The Americans can greet anyone in the family first. However, Vietnamese people greet each other in different ways. The Vietnamese do not shake hands with the opposite sex. They do not shake hands with old people or women unless they offer their hand first, slightly bow the head and/or put the hands in front of the chest in order to show more respect. Two women do not shake hands. People never exchange cheek-kisses. It is a shock to most married women. Waving motions are only used by adults to call little children but not in other way, not for anyone. It is insulting to the Vietnamese to be slapped on the