Transcript Document

Communicating
with Americans
Presented by,
Professor Tom Grothe
Department of Communication
Arts and Sciences,
California State University, Chico
What is American culture?
The allure of California
Draw a picture of a tree
Visible cultural differences
Invisible cultural roots
Dimensions in Cultural Variability
Individualism - - - - Collectivism

Rights and needs of
individual are primary

Group rights and needs
are primary

Communication Style:

Communication Style:
– Direct
– Concerned with
honesty
– Indirect
– Concerned with
harmony
What are the Different Ways to
Communicate Nonverbally Across Cultures?
Pitfalls of Nonverbal
Communication
Misattribution
 Sending the Wrong Signal
 Missing Signals

Suggestions For Successful Nonverbal
Communication

Be aware and delay attributions

Be aware of your own nonverbal
communication

Match your communication behaviors to that
of the new culture
Culture Shock
The anxiety and discomfort felt as a result
of coming in contact with a new culture
Tips for Managing Culture Shock





Realize that culture shock exists
Learn more about your host country
Develop friendships
Suspend ethnocentric evaluations
And above all . . .
Have faith in yourself, in the essential
goodwill of your hosts, and in the
positive outcome of the experience