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2. Assume Responsibility

A person who crosses a cultural boundary ordinarily chooses to do so. This choice implies a responsibility to serve as a liaison between your own culture and the new one.

Try to learn the language of the new culture. At least, learn as much of the verbal language as you can, given the circumstances of your situation. In addition, learn as much as you can about the nonverbal messages systems. Anecdotes about communication problems due to such differences as touching norms, posture cues, proximity, and gestures are common.

To learn Spanish or French, German or Japanese, or any other language means memorizing the words and practicing the pronunciation to use them. It requires a persistent effort that some Americans don't want to sustain, so they don't bother. This message to another culture means that Americans practice linguistic ethnocentrism, which is both offensive and unnecessary.

For example, an American citizen once approached a ticket agent in a French station. "Do you speak English," she asked in English. The Eurail agent smiled, made a sad face, shook his head, and said, "No."

"What? You don't speak English? I thought all ticket agents spoke English!" The Frenchman made a show of his apology. He was sorry, but he did not speak English. Furthermore, he was truly sorry that the American was so frustrated that she stalked out of the building.

Moments later a second American entered the room and approached the ticket agent. In halting French, this person asked the same question: "I'm sorry to ask this. Do you speak English?" This question, spoken in French, brought a smile and a chuckle from the agent, who then replied in flawless English. "Of course. How can I help you?" Subsequently, the second student's effort to learn and to use the French language sent a positive signal to the ticket agent.

Learn the language. At least, learn as much of the language as possible. Learn greetings, for example. Learn to ask and to give proper names, and learn the rules that govern using a person's name. For example, speakers of American English have come to rely upon the word "Ms." (i.e. pronounced "mzzz") to address a woman whose marital status is unknown. Does such a convention exist in a foreign language? How is a woman addressed in the country where you plan to visit?

Learn to count. Learn the money system and to recognize and name the bills and coins. Learn to tell time. Learn to ask in the other language for help with a language translation.

As a liaison, it's wise to avoid talking about politics. Besides, it is difficult to understand the political situation in a host culture. Even if you did understand it, running the risk of offending someone is seldom worth it. Try to be aware of current events.

It may also be unwise to talk about money. Your assumptions about money and your attitudes about its use may be substantially different from the assumptions and attitudes in another culture. In addition, in many parts of the world the American society is seen as a society whose affluence is based on greed. We are enormous consumers of energy and resources - a fact that is often resented in many parts of the world.

Furthermore, dress modestly when traveling in another culture. A young woman in sandals, shorts, and a tight-fitting T-shirt is out of place in most of the Middle East, in most of Latin America, and in most of Asia. Indeed, her casual attire, while commonly found on many college campuses, may even seem out of place off campus in many American cities.