Last Updated Oct 2012
Whether it is with patients, clients or colleagues, whether it is good or bad, cross cultural communication is a part of the therapy professional's world, now more than ever.
It is easy to be stuck in our own little world, thinking our way of communicating is the right way, or even the only way. However, when we have messages we want or need to get across to our team partner, vital information to discuss with other therapists, or even when teaching home care to our patients and clients, it is imperative that we get our message across.
Lew Bayer, an expert in the area of cross cultural communication says, “Every person is a walking culture. The social climate of the year we were born in, the country where we're raised, the traditions and customs of our family, and our experiences...all these factors and many more make each of us unique and special individual cultures.” She suggests that the therapy professionals should be cognisant of culture differences that may use different standards for loudness, speed of delivery, spatial distance, silence, eye contact, gestures, attentiveness and response rate when communicating with patient.
Some examples of these would be:
- Arab people may avert their eyes when listening or talking to a superior.
- Someone from South America may consider it impolite if you speak with your hands in your pockets.
- Your Russian patients or clients may want to kiss you on the check to express their gratitude.
If your new therapy assistant is from Norway, they may hesitate to use your first name until they know you better.- For the Chinese or Japanese, a facial expression that would be recognized around the world as conveying happiness, may actually express anger or mask sadness, both of which are unacceptable to show overtly in their culture.
All this may seem like a lot to consider, but the tips for considering cross cultural communication are really very basic:
- Use common words
- Follow basic words of grammar
- Avoid slang
- Repeat basic ideas without shouting
- Paraphrase important points
- Check for understanding
Personally, I am big fan of the honest approach,
- ”Is it okay with you if…”
- “Are you comfortable when…”
- “Can you explain to me how…”
- “Was it clear when I said…”
It will be in all of our best interests to make a conscious effort to overcome these issues while also understanding that not all our efforts will be successful. A culturally-fluent approach to good communication takes time, patience, good listening and awareness, and will go a long way to improve the communication across cultures and enhance personal and professional 
relationships.
In the end, try not to assume someone is being rude or trying to offend you. Give them the benefit of the doubt, help them understand your cultural norms, be open to learning and understanding their culture. By following these, the situation may be easily rectified and therapy professionals will also be known as respectful and flexible.
About the Author: Stephanie Staples is a nurse speaker, advocate and champion. Her live, 2 disk CD called the Well-Nurse Initiative, is hot off the presses. This fun, easy to listen to CD will make the next year of your career the best one yet! Visit www.YourLifeUnlimited.ca to find out more!
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