Page 68 - cs_u2
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For  various  reasons,  people  belonging  to  various  countries  and  cultures  rely  on  one
               another. People all over the world communicate using both verbal and nonverbal means. The

               better our intercultural communication skills are, the easier it will be for us to fit into international
               society.  As  firms  compete  across  national  borders  and  on  a  global  scale,  the  perception  of
               global and local labour has shifted dramatically. Firms from Europe, Asia, and the United States

               have  expanded  their  operations  globally  in  order  to  form  international  partnerships,
               collaborations and ties. When dealing with a multinational workforce, such firms‟ management

               and  employees  must  pay  close  attention  to  local  laws,  cultures,  and  business  practices.  To
               succeed in such a corporate climate, one must overcome the barriers of communication.

                       In the area of education, this is quite accurate. In case you aspire to studying a foreign

               country, you have to take time to learn about the culture of that particular place in order to be an
               excellent  communicator.  Knowing  the  business procedures,  social  traditions,  and  etiquette of
               the  nation  in  which  one  is  working,  is  essential  for  success,  whether  as  a  student  or  a

               professional.

                       In different cultures, several types of nonverbal communication have distinct meanings.

               For example, in the United States, a particular gesture or action may indicate one thing, but it
               may mean something quite different in Japan. While an American might use his or her index
               finger  to  point,  a  Japanese  person  would  use  their  hand  instead,  as  pointing  with  the  index

               finger is considered impolite in many Asian cultures.

                       An  important  cultural  difference  when  it  comes  to  nonverbal  communication  is  the

               display of emotion. Some cultures are more restrained than others and refrain from excessive
               displays  of  emotion  in  public  or  at  all.  Some  cultures  may  also  suppress  facial  emotion,
               believing that an animated face indicates a lack of emotional control.


                       Another component of nonverbal communication that varies by culture is eye contact.
               Direct eye contact is typically regarded as a sign of trustworthiness and interest in a person‟s
               remarks in the United States. A prolonged stare, on the other hand, may be seen by some as a

               sign  of  sexual  interest  or  desire.  Eye  contact  is  typically  avoided  in  nations  such  as  Japan,
               where direct eye contact is considered impolite. In Arabic civilizations, on the other hand, eye
               contact is seen to indicate attention and honesty.









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