Multiculturalism

A Very Brief Introduction to Engaging with People from Other Cultures

In an ideal world…

the policemen would be English,

the car mechanics would be German,

the cooks would be French,

the innkeepers would be Swiss,

and the lovers would be Italian.

In a living hell…

the policemen would be German,

the car mechanics would be French,

the cooks would be English,

the innkeepers would be Italian,

and the lovers would be Swiss.

Multicultural Conflicts

People from different cultures have different… ways of viewing the world; ways of dressing; ways of expressing personality; ideas about what is good.

In Short, Don’t Be This Guy

http://www.aperfectworld.org/cartoons/flagdesecration.png

International Perceptions of Americans Europe & especially England: "Americans are stupid and

unsubtle. And they are fat and bad dressers."

Finland: "Americans always want to say your name: 'That's a nice tie, Mikko. Hi Mikko, how are you Mikko?'"

Indian: "Americans are always in a hurry. Just watch the way they walk down the street."

Kenyan: "Americans are distant. They are not really close to other people -- even other Americans."

Turkey: "Once we were out in a rural area in the middle of nowhere and saw an American come to a stop sign. Though he could see in both directions for miles, and there was no traffic, he still stopped!"

International Perceptions of Americans Colombia: "In the United States, they think that life is only

work."

Indonesia: "In the United States everything has to be talked about and analyzed. Even the littlest thing has to be 'Why, why, why?'."

Ethiopia: "The American is very explicit. He wants a 'yes' or 'no.' If someone tries to speak figuratively, the American is confused."

Iran: "The first time my American professor told me 'I don't know, I will have to look it up,' I was shocked. I asked myself, 'Why is he teaching me?'"

Communication Breakdowns Shaking hands

Men and women together in a photo

Woman wearing a green beret

Men holding hands

Taking a telephone message

Photo of a person in a wheelchair

White dress

Crossing legs

A clerk giving change

Emailing work group members

Cultural Dimensions

High Context vs. Low Context Monochronic vs. Polychronic Future- vs. Present- vs. Past-Oriented Quantity of Time Power Distance Individualism vs. Collectivism

High/Low Context

In a Low Context culture… information is fully spelled out; people depend on what is actually said or written.

In a High Context culture… communicators assume common knowledge and

views; information is implicit or communicated indirectly; it’s the listener’s responsibility to keep up their

knowledge base and remain plugged into informal networks.

High/Low Context Problems

Low Context cultures… can seem offensively blunt; are not known for ability to tolerate or

understand diversity.

High Context cultures… can seem secretive, devious, and stingy with

information; are vulnerable to communication breakdowns

from assuming too much shared understanding.

What are some High Context cultures?

What are some Low Context cultures?

Where does your culture fit?

Monochronic/Polychronic

In a Monochronic culture… people do just one thing at a time; there is a sense of appropriate times and

places for everything; people do not value interruptions.

In a Polychronic culture… people do multiple things at the same time; workers don’t mind interruptions.

What are some Monochronic cultures?

What are some Polychronic cultures?

Where does your culture fit?

Future/Present/Past Oriented Past-Oriented cultures…

focus on traditional values and ways of doing things; tend to be conservative in management.

Present-Oriented cultures… see the past as passed and the future as uncertain; prefer short-term benefits.

Future-Oriented cultures… have a great deal of optimism about the future; view management as a matter of planning, doing, and

controlling.

What are some Past-Oriented cultures?

What are some Future-Oriented cultures?

What are some Present-Oriented cultures?

Where does your culture fit?

Quantity of Time

In a Time-Limited culture… time is seen as a valuable resource; wasting time is insulting or a sign of power.

In a Time-Plentiful culture… time appears endless or cyclical; people tend to rely on relationships for

conducting business.

What are some Time-Limited cultures?

What are some Time-Plentiful cultures?

Where does your culture fit?

Power Distance

In a High Power-Distant culture… employees bypassing superiors is seen as

insubordination; superiors do not interact as social equals with

subordinates.

In a Low Power-Distant culture… employees bypassing supervisors is acceptable; superiors and subordinates interact socially as

equals.

What are some High Power-Distant cultures?

What are some Low Power-Distant cultures?

Where does your culture fit?

Individualism/Collectivism I

In an Individualist culture… individual uniqueness and self-determination

are valued; showing initiative and working well

independently is admired. In a Collectivist culture…

people are expected to identify with and work well in groups;

groups protect people in exchange for loyalty and compliance.

Individualism/Collectivism II

The paradox: individualist cultures tend to believe that there

universal values exist; collectivist cultures tend to accept that

different groups have different values.

What are some Individualist cultures?

What are some Collectivist cultures?

Where does your culture fit?

Real-World Problems I

You greet your Austrian client. This is the eighth time you have met in person over the last four months, and you have eaten dinner together each time. He calls you Herr Smith. (“Herr” is German for “Mr.”)

What is your impression? Why?

Real-World Problems II

A Japanese businessman wants to tell his Norwegian client that he is uninterested in a particular sale. So the Japanese man says, "That will be very difficult." The Norwegian eagerly asks how she can help. The Japanese man is mystified.

What went wrong? Why?

Real-World Problems III

A Canadian meets with a high-ranking official in Kuwait. The meeting is not held in a closed office and is constantly interrupted. The Canadian is annoyed and wonders if he's being taken seriously.

What went wrong? Why?

Real-World Problems IV

A software engineer from Google visits the Microsoft campus in Redmond, WA, for a job interview and asks about Microsoft’s personal research time policy. The Microsoft interviewer is mystified.

What is the conflict, and where did it come from?

Thanks to Kevin Garrison for providing the original PowerPoint.