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Give examples of cross-cultural issues.

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  1. Give examples of good and bad advertisements.

An individual's cultural background will affect the specific way in which he or she sees the environment and also how the individual might show his or her feelings, emotion, distress, or conflict in behavior, thought or action. Therefore, culture will influence the experience of mental disorders and how they might present.

Miscommunication is the most popular example of cross-cultural issues.

Miscommunication across cultural lines is usually the most important cause of cross-cultural problems.

Miscommunication can be caused by several problems:

• differences in body language or gestures. The same gesture can have different meanings in different parts of the world. For example, Bulgarians shake their heads up and down to mean no. In addition, the way people count on their fingers is not universal: The Chinese count from one to ten on one hand, and eight is displayed by extending the thumb and the finger next to it. The same gesture is interpreted as meaning two in France and as pointing a gun in North America.

• different meanings for the same word. Like gestures, words can have different meanings or

connotations in different parts of the world. The French word "char" means Army tank in France and car in Quebec. The word "exciting" has different connotations in British English and in North American English. While North American executives talk about "exciting challenges" repeatedly, British executives use this word to describe only children’s activities (children do exciting things in England, not executives).

• different assumptions made in the same situation. The same event can be interpreted many different ways depending on where one comes from. For example, although the sight of a black cat is considered a lucky event in Britain, it is considered unlucky in many other countries particularly in Russia.

So in extreme cases, miscommunication can lead to casualties.

2. In what way should cultural stereotypes be handled?

We use stereotypes in part because it’s so hard to take in all of the complicated information about other people in the world. It’s difficult to spend the amount of time necessary to understand why or in what different ways people behave. So instead, we learn early in our lives to accept stereotypes of groups, or individuals. We develop stereotypes not just for large cultures, but smaller ones.

Stereotypes eliminate the challenges of understanding people who are different from ourselves; they supposedly give us a general overview of whole groups of people so we know what to expect and how to act. Unfortunately, so many stereotypes are inaccurate(неточный) and are used as a method of scapegoating(козел отпущения), or to separate "their" behavior from "my" behavior. We don’t always

agree with, or like the way another cultures behave because it is different, and we therefore perceive it as wrong, and develop negative/ugly descriptions (stereotypes). When we have problems with someone of a different group, we tend to identify the problem as having to do with the group, rather than ourselves or the specific person. So stereotypes do get in the way of how we think and feel. It makes us very judgmental about others and unfortunately often erroneously so. Stereotypes prevent us from identifying the feelings that are really go on inside of us. With stereotypes, the belief will remain that someone did something to us, rather than the problem, fear, or rigidity/closed thinking being within ourselves. When

we’re stereotyping we get caught up in the issue of that’s what "they do", that’s how "those people" are, instead of being in touch with our actual feelings of hurt, confusion, being slighted, left-out, anger, etc.

3. Is there a difference between cultures and subcultures?

Culture can be defined as all the ways of life including arts, beliefs and institutions of a population that are passed down from generation to generation. Culture has been called "the way of life for an entire society." As such, it includes codes of manners, dress, language, religion, rituals, norms of behavior such as law and morality, and systems of belief as well as the art.

Various definitions of culture reflect differing theories for understanding, or criteria for evaluating, human activity.

A subculture is a set of people with a set of behaviors and beliefs, culture, which could be distinct or hidden, that differentiate them from the larger culture to which they belong. If the subculture is characterized by a systematic opposition to the dominant culture, then it may be described as a counterculture.

Subcultures can be distinctive because of the age, race, ethnicity, class, and/or gender of the members.

The qualities that determine a subculture as distinct may be aesthetic, religious, political, sexual or a combination of factors. Members of a subculture often signal their membership through a distinctive and symbolic use of style, which includes fashions, mannerisms, and argot.

The study of subcultures often consists of the study of symbolism attached to clothing, music and other visible affectations by members of subcultures, and also the ways in which these same symbols are interpreted by members of the dominant culture.

So subculture it is the stream inside the main culture and they are connected with each other in so or that way.

4. Explain the meaning of the term ‘cultural awareness’. Why is it important?

Cultural Awareness is developing sensitivity and understanding of another ethnic group. Awareness extends to special foods, manners of dress, language, religious preferences and observances, and differences in communication styles. (For example, in some cultures it is impolite to make eye contact, especially with someone you do not know well.) To enhance the quality of the visit, it is helpful to be aware of cultural differences and be sensitive to those differences.

Cultural awareness recognises that we are all shaped by our cultural background, which influences how we interpret the world around us, perceive ourselves and relate to other people. You don’t need to be an expert in every culture or have all the answers to be culturally aware; rather, cultural awareness helps you to explore cultural issues with your recipients more sensitively.

Information about specific cultural practices will help to increase your cultural knowledge by providing an overview of cultural characteristics and issues. However, it is always important to identify individual needs and preferences and remember that no individual can be reduced to a set of cultural norms.

Within any culture, peoples’ values, behaviour and beliefs can vary enormously. Differences may occur due to time of arrival in Australia, length of settlement, socio-economic background, level of education,

way of life, identification with cultural and religious background, and different life experiences.

Key Considerations

· Be aware of your own cultural influences.

· Be aware of judging other people's behaviour and beliefs according to the standards of your own

culture.

· Be aware of making assumptions about cultural influences and applying generalisations to

individuals.

· Understand that the behaviour and beliefs of people within each culture can vary considerably.

· Understand that the extent to which people adopt practices of their new country and retain those

from their cultural background can vary within communities, even within families.

· Understand that not all people identify with their cultural or religious background.

· Increase your knowledge about different cultural practices and issues through cultural background information sessions and/or resources and cultural awareness training.

· Understand the importance of appropriate communication.

5. What advice would you give to a business visitor coming to Italy, the UAE, to Russia?

Italy

 

Lively conversation is common in Italy. Welcome topics of conversation include Italian architecture, art and films, sports (especially football), opera and praising the hospitality of the country. It is best to avoid criticizing Italian culture, even if your Italian counterparts are doing so. Don’t give a business gift until you receive one. Your gift should be a well known brand name. gifts of alcohol or crafts from your country are often good choices. Other possible gifts are fine pens, a framed print or picture, silver key rings or calculators. Avoid giving gifts showing your company’s logo. Hospitality plays a key role in Italian business culture. Regardless of how you feel, refusing an invitation of any kind may give offence.

The business breakfast is almost unheard of. Rare exceptions may be found in the major cities. Business dinners involve only a small, exclusive group. If you are the host, check with your Italian contact before making any invitations. Lunch is still the main meal of the day in most areas of the country. It is usually served after 12:30 p.m. and often has many courses.

 




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