Campfire: What is the biggest problem, other than language, communicating with someone from another country?

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Permalink Reply by bre on March 31, 2008 at 1:26pm

How can I i get more info on the transatlantic 20/20

Is there a website....?
Were the transcripts of the forum...?

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Permalink Reply by Steve Woolf on March 31, 2008 at 5:22pm

http://www.britishcouncil.org/tn2020

I don't think their meetings and discussions were recorded, though...

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Permalink Reply by Nick on April 2, 2008 at 5:28pm

I think that cultural background is certainly the biggest barrier to communication other than language. There is a lot of slang thrown around in every culture that references various things that may be unheard of in other cultures. For example, movie, music, and literature references make little sense to people from different cultures as each culture has its own defining works. Also cultural background influences what one thinks of as the "norm", which makes people's expectations and standards different. An example of this is how, at least from my experience feel free to correct me if I am wrong :), Spanish movies tend to have more dramatic soundtracks. While I may find the film humorous as the soundtrack for a Spanish film seems over dramatic and more suitable for my standard of a horror film, the soundtrack is normal for the action or comedy genre in Hispanic Culture.

As far as why people are able to communicate so well on the internet, I believe that we can thank its global nature and the distinct "net culture" that has emerged as a result.

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Permalink Reply by Corey Parker on April 3, 2008 at 11:10pm

The Biggist Problem I think and we are all guilty of this is Not being able to separate people from their governments .
I mean are we all GeorgeW, Or CLinton Or Gore?
No, we are diffrant, I doubt all people in the Uk are Like the Queen.
Even when they are elected by the people No one really Represents all of their country.
And we all do it, We americans think ill of The French even though they arnt as a bad as we think.
People in the uk often think we're gun toating assholes...well they are part right on that one.lol
but I just feel that is the problem, We all base things on stereotypes Perpetuated by the governments of the world.
Tell me non of you think this way about at least one place in the world.
And If you do or think you think in stereotypes ask your self why?
What has happined in your life to make you think this!
cause I bet you won't be able to find a good answer.

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Permalink Reply by Erin on April 4, 2008 at 11:03am

A huge problem is not knowing enough about other cultures. Check out some of these sites for an education! So much to learn . . . so little time.

www.sietar.org
www.interculturalpress.com
www.culturaldetective.com

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Permalink Reply by Luc Vincent on April 6, 2008 at 9:00am

I think it's definition. for instance, when we think of fairies we think of tiny little creatures who fly around and be merry. But in Ireland fairies are like trolls, or evil spirits. In america we would love to meet a fairy, but in Ireland they are so scared of them that they wont even go near a fairy "zone". I also think that religion and politics get in the way.

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Permalink Reply by Leadpipe on April 8, 2008 at 8:30am

I don't think it's been addressed in the words I'd use, so here's my take.

The biggest problem in communicating one-on-one in a face-to-face setting with someone from another country is the distinction between the foreigner and the individual and how easily either slips into the other's stereotypes.

Take, for example, I sit down with my Russian friend, Sash, to eat lunch. I know Sash to be a genial, easy-going type of guy. Say he orders a couple of shots of Vodka, and then he starts pressing them on me. Whether I like it or not, this starts to reinforce one stereotype about Russians, and slides my perception of him from individual toward that stereotype of the sloppy-drunk, grim-faced cossack.

It's what cultural fissures we allow to determine borders of our group identity. Instead of "we" go to lunch, as soon as Sash starts swilling vodka on a lunch break, I allow him to split us into two groups of one, rather than one group of two. I become the first person, he becomes the third, instead of we remaining the collective first.

I don't know if I'm coming across, not being a sociology professor and not having the requisite vocabulary, but I hope that helps illuminate.

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Permalink Reply by Amanda on April 8, 2008 at 5:04pm

I think I get what you are saying. I've realised that many people tend to catogorize themselves into different labels to belong, but this only sepparates ourselves from others. Not only do people generalize themselves by nationality, race or religion, they generalize their beliefs, politics, interests, etc.... I think that this is the biggest barrier to communication, this "labeling". People should realize that they, as well as everone else, are individuals. Opinions should only be made after you have something to make an opinion of. Culture smulture, everyone thinks differently and has different ideas about how they see the world around them, so grouping people into catagories is obsolete.

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Permalink Reply by Leadpipe on April 8, 2008 at 5:49pm

i don't think i was being clear. what i was trying to say was more along the lines of where the border of "us" and "them" are. it's a matter of focusing on the differences and letting them be excuses rather than focusing on the strengths in them or the strengths in similarities.

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Permalink Reply by Bennie Simmons on April 8, 2008 at 8:46pm

Culture plays a big role as well best way is to share your own and look at others

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Permalink Reply by Christian on April 11, 2008 at 1:16am

only one thing comes to mind .. .

Apathy by definition is
1 : lack of feeling or emotion : impassiveness
2 : lack of interest or concern : indifference

CONCERN, that to me would be the biggest problem other then language .. . people in general have a hard time not thinking solely about themselves

fuck wanting to take the time out of their ever busy schedule to help .. .



I ME MY MINE .. .

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Permalink Reply by Richa on April 17, 2008 at 1:44pm

word.

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