Evaluating Intercultural Behaviour - Post #2

The ability to accept cultural differences and to be sensitive around others are necessary traits in today's diverse global community. This trait can be cultivated by being proactive in understanding different cultural practices. This can be done by simply googling up the Do's and Don'ts before visiting a foreign country. Empathizing and respecting the perspectives of others are key to intercultural communication. It is also important to keep an open mind when faced with practices you might not be able to comprehend, as these traditions may be dear and significant to the hearts of others. By welcoming cultural diversity, you gain respect from people, and forge stronger ties with others regardless of race, language or religion.

One example which showed intercultural conflict was a true event I watched on National Geographic Channel. It spoke of a Caucasian lady who was imprisoned in Thailand for drug trafficking across state lines. When she first arrived in the prison cell, there were many other inmates in the waiting cell and most were lying on the ground or seated on the floor. She wanted to get over to the other side to a quiet spot. While trying to get across, she was not aware of the position of her feet and unintentionally walked over the heads of some of the Thais. By the time she got to the other side, she realized the entire cell was glaring at her in eerie silence but she was ignorant to what just happened. She was beaten up by the inmates and the fight only stopped when one Thai stood up to defend her.

To the Thais, our feet are considered to be the lowest and dirtiest part of the body and we should never point our feet at someone let alone raise our foot higher than someone's head. Being unaware of cultural differences put us in a perilous position when we are on foreign ground as we may appear rude and offend locals without knowing. Effective interpersonal communication includes excelling in intercultural communication as they are inherently intertwined. To ace interpersonal communication, we must possess cultural sensitivity first.

Here is a short video which I found on youtube to end on a lighter note. It contains the commercial that Dr Radhika mentioned in class and I found it really amusing. Enjoy!