The intercultural communication is really interesting and needs to be paid great attention on. As the host of the events, no matter what kind of activities we would like to organize, several key concepts we need to keep in our mind.
1.Speaking
Face-to-face communication is quite important, it would impress the guests deeply. As the native speaker, we would definitely speak the English in the whole event. However, it would be better for us to learn some daily expression in Japanese, Chinese, Mexican and Arabic. It would not be so complex, just learn how to say “Hello”, “Thank you”, “See you” in these language, it would make them feel like at home. Throughout the whole event, the speed of speaking should be relatively slow, and we must ensure we have delivered the correct information. When we talk with our guests, we cannot focus on making long speech or introduction. Just give some time for guests to talk about their views on America, or let them introduce their countries. The communication and listening are also important to show our enthusiasm to them. Furthermore, all words we use should base on the rule of comprehension. Do not use too many complex words or slang.
2.Culture communication
For the preparation part, we can have some decoration from other cultures in the meeting room, and also if possible, we can print the wall with the national flag of these countries. Beside that, we can provided the local food and also the food in these countries, which would make them feel comfortable. Before the conversation, it would be better to raise up some questions or topics. For example, we can ask Chinese or Japanese guests to teach us how to use chopsticks. When we talk with guests, do not have the first impression on them since there should be many cultural differences. First understanding what they really mean, then give the proper reaction. Besides the business talking, it is also important to share the different tradition on life style like how to celebrate the New Year. Do not forget to drive them around the city and be a great tour guide after the event.
3.Respect
Respect is the basic rule throughout the whole event. Do not try to start some sensitive topics with guests like politics. When we see some differences, seeking first to understand, then to be understood. I had a classmate who came from Thailand. I made a big mistake on keeping talking about the joke on shemale, which once made her angry. Later on I do sincerely apologized to her, but it seemed useless. So accepting different culture is a kind of respect we need to give to our guest.
These three concepts are the most important things in my mind. As I am working on organizing events for the international student, I am really willing to learn more about it!
Sample who reply to person1:
I agree that besides the speaking way and cultural communication, the respect is the basic rule throughout the whole event. The communication of respect has been established as a significant dimension of cross-cultural communication competence. Culture has a profound influence on perceptions of respect, and the ways in which respect is communicated across cultures can take on a variety of forms. For example, it can be communicated verbally like appropriate word choice, or nonverbally like appropriate use of touch during a greeting. Everyone in this meeting should understand that there are many ways to show their respect and it is important to build a healthy and pleasant communication with each other.
Person2: Ju
In order to successfully host this international management event, language preferences, meeting styles, and eating habits are the most important factors to consider.
• Language. First, although the conference requires English to communicate throughout the process, Americans, Japanese, Chinese, Arabs, and Mexicans use different first languages. Language is the carrier of culture. Providing participants with meeting documents and nameplates printed in English and their native language can increase their sense of belonging. Second, provide translation tools or interpreters. Participants from outside the United States will have different levels of English. When the participants are unable to express their opinions in English, the translator can facilitate the use of the native language by the participants.
• Conference style. Often different countries have different business cultures, which leads participants to have different preferences for the style of the meeting. For example, the Chinese prefer to be a listener in the conference, and often the leader of the conference speaks the most. Americans tend to present their opinions in meetings and they have the courage to question authority. Given this difference, meetings should take many forms, such as report style, discussion style, and collaborative style activities.
• Eating habits. As the organizer of an international conference, the participants should prepare food from their respective countries. This approach not only allows participants to feel at home but also facilitates communication between participants.
Intercultural insights
For the American hosts, they should have a sense of cultural differences. “If you don’t prepare for cultural differences and anticipate them at the front end, they’re a lot harder to deal with after the fact.” (Knight R., 2015). The American hosts should learn about different meeting habits and etiquettes. Knowing these differences can help them arrange a welcoming ceremony and ensure that they are decent and courteous in face-to-face communication. Besides, if possible, they can arrange network activities to enhance the relationship between different participants.
Advise for American attendance
Prepare a few hot topics in the United States, and information about local restaurants and attractions in Boston is enough. Foreign participants definitely want to know some American information, and hot topics can make participants interested. In addition, when foreign participants come to Boston, it is an indispensable activity to visit attractions and enjoy local specialties.
Sample who reply to person2:
Thank you for your sharing. Nice post! About the meeting style you mentioned, I think this is indeed a very important point that the host should notice. We hope that all participants will feel comfortable and learn or gain something in the meeting. So, I think we can inform all participants in advance what the style of the meeting is. Because we are in Boston, the style of this meeting should be American style. We can introduce to participants what American meeting style looks like and encourage them to learn and integrate into American culture. Yet, we are not going to force them to do it. If they don’t want to accept the new culture, then we respect it.
Person3: liangzhao
As an important carrier of culture, language is the most basic mode of activity in international cultural exchanges, but it is also prone to cross-cultural conflicts. The language is diverse, as the organizer, we need to prepare translators for the participants from country of non-native language in English. As an organizer, we should focus our insights on cultural differences because it is likely to lead to failures in intercultural communication. For example, in the sights of Europeans and Americans, the dragon is understood as a terrible monster. But in the eyes of the Chinese, the dragon has a symbol of auspiciousness and prosperity. Therefore, understanding in different cultural contexts is extremely important. Fully aware of cultural differences can avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.
While paying attention to language, the organizers and participants should also pay attention to the gestures, facial expressions, instruments, and costumes of each country in advance. When people of different cultural backgrounds are in business communication, the same gestures and postures may have different or even opposite meanings in different cultural environments due to differences in culture between the two parties. An unintentional gesture may be seen as provocative in another culture. As the organizer, we need to know how to meet the Japanese and know the dress and eat habits from Arab Muslims.
If people in the meeting feel the feeling of being respected, they can enjoy this business activity freely. If conditions permit, the organizer should hire an interpreter to take detailed care of the visiting guests during the trip. For example: arrange their accommodation and air tickets, and lead them to the restaurant that suits their taste. They will show their respect to all parties while being respected.
Sample who reply to person3:
I agree that the most important and basic part in internationnal cultural exchange is language. Considered that most of attendees are not from English speaking country, it is necessary for both organizer and attendees to prepare a efficiency communication method in the meeting such as hiring some translator and learn some basic culture about others. Of course, the best way is that every body speak English. In addition, language is not only word it self, it also present diverse culture and value. People in the meeting also need to pay attention to the gesture, facial expressions etc to avoid offend others. In this way, we can have a harmonious and fun meeting.
Sample Solution
