Lecture NotesForm A
1. Introduce the basic model described on Form B: two cultures, both with actions and behaviors that are motivated by cultural assumptions and values. People often do not think about these assumptions and values, but accept them as ÒcorrectÓ or Òthe only way.Ó Between the two cultures is a culture gap (that could also be a gender, age, or work function gap) that causes behavior to be perceived differently from the way it is intended.
2. Tell two stories about cultural difference from your own experience. The stories should have two clearly different points of view.
a.One story might be about two people meeting one another for the first time. One wants to stand close, shake hands vigorously, smile, and make direct eye contact. The other person wants to stand farther away, bow politely, use indirect eye contact, and maintain a serious facial expression. Assumptions and values involved for the first person include egalitarianism, informality, individualism, and directness; for the second person, they include hierarchy (high power distance), formality, and indirectness. Cultural bridges might include education for each person (so neither judges the other negatively) or an agreement between the two as to how they will greet one another.
b. A second story might be about the use of space in an office. One personÕs cubicle has family photos, pictures drawn by young relatives, and a whiteboard with ÒTo DoÓ notes displayed prominently. Another personÕs office has the company mission statement, interoffice phone list, and clearly labeled booklets of current projects; there are few personal objects in sight. This person has been known to use the first personÕs computer without asking permission, a practice that upsets the first person. Assumptions and values for the first person include personal space, the expectation of privacy, and verbal communication as a component of trust; for the second person, they include the idea of public or group space, expectation of teamwork, and implicit trust among members of a work team. Cultural bridges might include a dialogue between the two on their assumptions about office space, an agreement between them regarding the use of each otherÕs computers, or a reconfiguration of the office space.
3. After you tell each story, ask participants to help you write in the behaviors and cultural assumptions of each person in the stories. Write them on an overhead transparency or flip chart of the graphic on Form C.
4. Take a few minutes to generate some solutions or cultural bridges with participants. These might include actions that members of each culture could take or systems that the organization could implement.
5. Summarize the key points of the theory of cross-cultural communication:
a. No one culture or set of assumptions is better than another. All worldviews are valid.
b. We need to learn about and be conscious of our own cultural assumptions in order to interact effectively across cultures.
c.It is important not to try to change anotherÕs behavior, but to attempt to understand, accept it, and work with it. Changing cultural assumptions takes years.
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