Body language

Gestures help us clarify confusing messages, so differences in body language are a major source of misunderstanding. We may also make the mistake of assuming that a non-American who speaks English has mastered the body language of our culture as well. It therefore pays to learn some basic differ­ences in the ways people supplement their words with body movement. Take the signal for no. North Americans shake their heads back and forth; the Japanese move their right hands; Sicilians raise their chins. Or take eye con­tact. North Americans read each other through eye contact. They may assume that a person who won't meet our gaze is evasive and dishonest. But in many parts of Latin America, keeping your eyes lowered is a sign of respect. It's also a sign of respect among many black Americans, which some schoolteachers have failed to learn. When they scold their black students, saying "Look at me when I'm talking to you," they only create confusion for the children.

Sometimes people from different cultures misread an intentional signal, and sometimes they overlook the signal entirely or assume that a meaningless gesture is significant. For example, an Arab man indicates a romantic interest in a woman by running a hand backward across his hair; most Americans would dismiss this gesture as meaningless. On the other hand, an Egyptian might mistakenly assume that a Westerner sitting with the sole of his or her shoe showing is offering a grave insult.

Social behaviour and manners

What is polite in one country may be considered rude in another. In Arab countries, for example, it is impolite to take gifts to a man's wife but acceptable to take gifts to his children. In Germany, giving a woman a red rose is consid­ered a romantic invitation, inappropriate if you are trying to establish a busi­ness relationship with her. In India, you might be invited to visit someone's home "any time." Being reluctant to make an unexpected visit, you might wait to get a more definite invitation. But your failure to take the Indian literally is an insult, a sign that you do not care to develop the friendship.

Ethnocentric reactions

Although language and cultural differences are significant barriers to commu­nication, these problems can be resolved if people maintain an open mind. Unfortunately, however, many of us have an ethnocentric reaction to people from other cultures—that is, we judge all other groups according to our own standards.

When we react ethnocentrically, we ignore the distinctions between our own culture and the other person's culture. We assume that others will react the same way we do, that they will operate from the same assumptions, and that they will use language and symbols in the "American" way. An ethnocen­tric reaction makes us lose sight of the possibility that our words and actions will be misunderstood, and it makes us more likely to misunderstand the behaviour of foreigners.

Generally, ethnocentric people are prone to stereotyping and prejudice:

They generalize about an entire group of people on the basis of sketchy evi­dence and then develop biased attitudes toward the group. As a consequence, they fail to see people as they really are. Instead of talking with Abdul Kar-hum, unique human being, they talk to an Arab. Although they have never met an Arab before, they may already believe that all Arabs are, say, hagglers. The personal qualities of Abdul Kar-hum become insignificant in the face of such preconceptions. Everything he says and does will be forced to fit the preconceived image.

Bear in mind that Americans are not the only people in the world who are prone to ethnocentrism. Often, both parties are guilty of stereotyping and prejudice. Neither is open-minded about the other. Little wonder, then, that misunderstandings arise. Fortunately, a healthy dose of tolerance can prevent a lot of problems.

Ex1. Answer the following questions:

1. Why do people fail to understand each other sometimes?

2. What specific features does the culture of Americans have? What values do they share?

3. How do cultural differences influence the status and role of a person?

4. What decision-making patterns are common in North America, Latin America, Greece and Japan?

5. What differences may be found in perceptions of time?

6. What differences may be found in perceptions of space?

7. Gestures can either help us clarify confusing messages, so or be a major source of misunderstanding, can’t they?

8. What does it mean to be ethnocentric?

9. What failures may arise from having ethnocentric reactions to other nations?

10. What may help us avoid a number of problems?

Ex.2 Find English equivalents in the text

Разное происхождение, ряд предположений, растопить лёд, “плавильный котёл”, господствующее/ превалирующее влияние, знак превосходства, устанавливать доверие/доверительные отношения, давать обратный эффект, хитрый; склонный к уловкам, уверткам, трудоёмкий, доскональный, высший приоритет/ высокоприоритетный, низший приоритет /низкоприоритетный, бесцеремонный/развязный, серьёзное оскорбление, быть подверженным предрассудкам, торгаш, предвзятый образ, объективный/непредвзятый

Ex.3 Guess the word according to its definition.

The belief that collecting material goods should be an important priority.

The belief or attitude that one's position and actions are justified by having higher moral values than another person’s political, religious or moral beliefs .

The belief that one's own race or ethnic group is the most important and/or that some or all aspects of its culture are superior to those of other groups.

The honor or prestige attached to one's position in society

The situation which occurs when a person is available to work and currently seeking work, but he is without work

Ex.4 Use active word expressions (from ex.2) to make up new word collocations

Комплекс превосходства, кризис доверия, пользователь с низшим приоритетом, замыкающий потребитель, предвзятое мнение, непредвзятое мнение.