Perception in Cultural Differences

Cultural differences

Differences in perception lie to the source of communication failures, especially when it comes to different cultures.

Customs

Customs are traditions or widely accepted ways of behaving that are specific to a particular society. These differ from country to country. For example, a custom that people must be aware if going to Japan is that bowing is considered more than a respectful sign. They care so much for this custom that they developed a form of art out of this. On the other side, in Europe it is considered unusual.

Another widely recognized custom is the perception of the role of men and women in the society. For example, in Muslim countries and in South America it is common for man to work for their families meanwhile the women are staying at home, doing the chores and taking care of the household. In European countries and the US things are a bit different. It is normal for the women to work equal to men.

Values and Beliefs

In my opinion, the main differences in terms of values and beliefs are related to religion and its influences in culture. I think this is the reason why the values and beliefs are stronger in some countries than in others. For example, the concept of family is very important in Muslim countries. This is why in there, the women don't have to work, but stay home, be aware of the children and take care of the household.

Business interaction

In the business world, communication is imperative for the successful execution of daily operations. Understanding cultural differences and overcoming language barriers are some of the considerations people should have when dealing with business with people of various cultures. For example, in Japan when you receive a business card you have to take it with both hands and examine it carefully, otherwise it is considered as a rude attitude and this may affect the business. On the other hand, in Australia there is no protocol surrounding the giving and receiving business cards. Even more, most business people will want to interact on their first name and as quick as possible.

In terms of negotiation, Romanians for example tend to take time when negotiating and the decisions are generally made from top down. In contrast to this, bargaining in Australia is not expected and they prefer to be direct about your intensions.

Verbal and Non-Verbal communication

Effective verbal communication begins with anticipating what the audience needs. By planning what he wants to say, how he wants to say it and seeking feedback on how the message was received, a business professional ensures successful communication. Another important aspect is the language in which the information is transmitted. Due to that, in business world