What can you do or say if you feel that you have a misunderstanding with someone from another culture? You can talk directly to the person right away: sorry. Did I say (or do) something to upset you?” “I’m didn’t mean to upset you.” “I think we misunderstood each other.” “I my culture it’s a little different.” “In think there’s been a misunderstanding. Can you tell me if I said something that upset “I you?” You can talk directly to the person a few days you have a few minutes to talk about what happened the other day?” “Do I talk to you about something? I’ve been wondering about what happened a few “Can days ago.” don’t quite understand why there was a misunderstanding. Can we talk about it?” “I You can explain the situation to a third person and ask for advice: happened to me the other day that I don’t understand. Maybe you can help “Something me understand and tell me what you think I should do.” I ask you something that happened with an American / international student? I “Can don’t know his/her culture well enough to understand.” do you think he said that?” “Why would you do in this situation?” “What most Americans do in this situation?” “What Ways to Explain Your Cultural of View bow when they greet someone.” my culture, people usually/often “In kiss in public.” my culture, people would not “In disagree with each other openly.” my culture, people are expected to “In hide their feelings.” “In my culture, people usually don’t expressing their feelings.” my culture, people feel uncomfortable “In ask questions during class.” my culture, people are not expected to “In Advice for American Partners When you are (or think you may be) having trouble communicating, talk about the trouble
What can you do or say if you feel that you have a misunderstanding with someone from another culture? You can talk directly to the person right away: “I’m sorry. Did I say (or do) something to upset you?” “I didn’t mean to upset you.” “I think we misunderstood each other.” “In my culture it’s a little different.” “I think there’s been a misunderstanding. Can you tell me if I said something that upset you?” You can talk directly to the person a few days “Do you have a few minutes to talk about what happened the other day?” “Can I talk to you about something? I’ve been wondering about what happened a few days ago.” “I don’t quite understand why there was a misunderstanding. Can we talk about it?” You can explain the situation to a third person and ask for advice: “Something happened to me the other day that I don’t understand. Maybe you can help me understand and tell me what you think I should do.” “Can I ask you something that happened with an American / international student? I don’t know his/her culture well enough to understand.” “Why do you think he said that?” “What would you do in this situation?” “What most Americans do in this situation?” Ways to Explain Your Cultural of View “In my culture, people usually/often bow when they greet someone.” “In my culture, people would not kiss in public.” “In my culture, people are expected to disagree with each other openly.” “In my culture, people usually don’t hide their feelings.” “In my culture, people feel uncomfortable expressing their feelings.” “In my culture, people are not expected to ask questions during class.” Advice for American Partners When you are (or think you may be) having trouble communicating, talk about the trouble
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