Cross-cultural Communication

It is NOT necessary to:

• change your culture, although some modifications may be practical at times.


• like the culture(s) you engage with - that may not be realistic - but a degree of respect is essential.


• accept other cultures - but it is essential to accept that other cultures are valid (at least for their members).


• understand everything about the cultures you engage with - that is a very difficult task for an outsider. Instead, you need to understand that culture influences people's perceptions, behaviour, value systems and ways of communicating, and you need to try to determine which characteristics of a particular culture are most critical to success (or failure).