Section 3: Exploring Cultural Attitudes and Communications

Section 3: Exploring Cultural Attitudes and Communications

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At the conclusion of this section, you should be able to:

• discuss the significance of understanding cultural attitudes,practices and communication, and

• demonstrate examples of cultures through role-playing in thecategories of

• “self and space,”

• “time and time consciousness,”

• “relationships,” and

• “communication and language.”

• 80% to 90% of a culture is reflected in non-verbal messages.

• Are there any universals of body language?

Reading non-verbal signs

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Observations of cultural variations

Exercise: Comparing Cultures  

Refer to the tables on cultural comparisons in your book. Imagine thatyou are working with a buyer who is from a culture very different fromyour own. Discuss the situation and answer the following questions:

•Would differences in your culture affect your normal way of doing business?

•If so, what are the cultural attitudes or customs would you need tobe aware of, or be prepared to modify?

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Cultural summaries

• Asian homebuyers

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• Central and South American homebuyers

Exploring multicultural home-buying attitudes

• Some multicultural homebuyers come with different perspectivesand points of reference about the home buying and selling process.

• Some of these ideas or preconceptions are based on the traditionsand practices of their native countries and cultures.

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Building communication skills

Business norms and etiquette

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Beyond using proper business etiquette, it is important to project positive attitudes toward diversity, as well as to adjust to the other person’s need for high- or low-context communication.

Empathy exercise

Use your non-dominant hand to perform the following tasks:

• Write this sentence: The sun is shining on the treetops.

• Write today’s date.

• Sign your name.

• Draw a tree.

• Turn to the person sitting next to you and show them your work.

 

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Section 3: Summary

In this section we:

• recalled cultural practices, attitudes, and communication, and

• Interpreted how cultures may vary;• Discussed how cultural background can influence the

homebuying process;• Reviewed cross-cultural listening skills and business

etiquette; and• Gained empathy for how an immigrant might feel.

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