Intercultural Communication Concepts

• These notes cover aspects of Intercultural Communication, including cultural food, brands, dining etiquette, cultural values, and concepts

Cultural Miscellanea

• Bulgogi is not a traditional Mexican food.
• Adidas is a German-owned apparel brand.
• Sticking chopsticks straight into a bowl of rice is inappropriate when dining with Korean people.
• "Alles zu seiner Zeit" (Everything in its time) reflects the German monochronic culture.
• Companies in Korea are more likely to have family members in key positions.
• People in Mexico use two surnames.
• Stores in Germany are closed on Sundays.
• A head wobble indicates "Yes" in India.
• Oktoberfest is an annual festival held in Germany.
• Japan has the highest level of uncertainty avoidance.

True/False Statements

• Ethnocentrism involves negative feelings toward outgroup members and is true.
• Humor in intercultural communication is not always safe and universally appreciated and is false.
• Cultural stereotypes can be helpful shortcuts- True
• In high-context cultures, relationships take precedence over explicit communication - True
• "Power distance" references to the physical distance between individuals during communication and is false.
• In-group favoritism is not observed only in individualistic cultures- False.
• Cultural relativism implies that all cultural practices are equally acceptable- False.
• What is right depends on the circumstances in a particularistic culture - True
• Cultural norms do not static and change over time- False.
• Cultural empathy is not the ability to judge others based on one's own cultural standards - False

Matching Items

• Monochronic cultures compartmentalize space.
• Particularistic cultures have encourage thrift and efforts in modern education as a way to prepare for the future.
• High power distance is a hierarchical organizational structure.
• External locus of control attributes events to luck or chance.
• The key to productivity involves behaviors and rewards in the workplace.
• Conscious competence emphasizes rules, regulations, and accountability.
• High uncertainty avoidance relates to emphasis of rules and regulations
• Feminine cultures value cooperation and modesty.
• Low-context culture feature involves compartmentalized and privately owned space.
• Long-term orientation coincides with societal thrift and modern education.

Fill in the Blanks

• The second stage of cultural awareness is conscious incompetence.
• It is always safer to describe behavior than to interpret it, at least initially, in cross-cultural situations.
• traditions and rules should be respected in cultures with a skeptical attitude toward uncertainty
• forces beyond your control also play an important part in Chinese culture.
• Eating with a knife, fork, and spoon is an example of a cultural behavior.
• Animism is the oldest belief in Korea, involving spirits in nature.
• Monochronic cultures value efficiency; hence a sense of urgency.
• Attitude toward uncertainty relates to cultural feelings about change and tradition.
• People in ancient Egypt practiced mummification.
• Collectivists prioritize seniority in hiring managers.