#culturalintelligence #travelers
Avoid damaging gaffes!
Tracy Novinger has written two engaging and practical
books about how to more effectively communicate across cultures.
Swiss writer Hans Durrer states in a review of Novinger's book: [It is] difficult to think of a more compelling way (I was reminded of a thriller) to introduce a tome on intercultural communication and, needless to say, [Tracy Novinger] had my full attention...
Excerpt:
...a well-dressed Mexican pulled up in a taxi to the Palacio de Justicia in Lima, Peru. Armed guards were standing on the steps ascending to the building. The passenger paid and thanked the driver and opened the door of the cab, intent on the information he had come to get. As he leaned forward and put one foot on the pavement, a cold rifle muzzle jabbed him in the temple and jerked his attention to matters at hand. The Peruvian guard holding the rifle shot two harsh words at him. The Mexican reddened, emerged from the taxi, and drew himself erect. With a sweep at his arm, he retorted three words: „Qué! Nos conocemos?“ (What! Do we know each other?) With a half bow the guard lowered the rifle and courteously gestured the man up the steps, speaking in deferential tones. What happened here? What did the guard with the gun say that triggered this reaction from the Mexican? And what in the Mexican visitor’s behavior and those three Spanish words instantly changed the Peruvian guard's attitude and demeanor?
Novinger goes on to place this exchange in its cultural context and to answer the question for the reader. The precepts for bridging cultural differences have been used by the Jimmy Carter Institute of Arbitration.
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Communicating with Brazilians
Brazilians are fun-loving and hospitable which makes Brazil an inviting place to visit for pleasure or business. They are so cordial that they will say "yes" to almost any request—even when they actually mean "no". This can be confusing for visitors used to a more direct style of communication.
To help people overcome the barriers that exist in communication between two different cultures, this book analyzes and explains Brazilian culture. It concludes with a summary, a checklist and eight recommendations for communicating with Brazilians. Translated into Korean by Pusan University for Korea-Brazil trade.
