Cultural Communication

Just like our families make us who we are, so does the culture. And because of culture, it affects the way we communicate. I have been told that I communicate with people differently. I have experienced many cultures in my lifetime. I have seen people who do not share the same culture and try to communicate with each other, it is very interesting and then I reflect on how I communicate with others and I do the same. My mother is Korean, and my family always know when I talk to her because my words are broken etc. My mother has lived in this country my whole life, so her understanding of the English language is good but I still communicate this way so that she understands. I look like and idot in retrospect, but I continue to do this. Even I when I lived in other countries, this was habit. I thought I was doing well and being offensive, but through my studies of people and communication I see it differently now.

        One of the things that I have learned this week is about culture myopia. I originally thought this was about being prejudice or discriminatory, however after further understanding I see that it is not really that, it is just someone who has lived a certain way or lifestyle and see someone who does not relate in the same way and don’t consider or accept their way suffers from cultural myopia. I shows that people live differently, it makes us a great melting pot. It is so hard when others don’t accept or find others relevant. It makes them narrow minded, and gives others the perception that they think their way is the only way.

Another thing that   learned this week was about the Platinum Rule. Yes, we should treat others the way we would like to be treated, however not everyone wants the same thing you do in life or period. So, in retrospect this theory cannot be applied to everyone. However, according to the Platinum rule, treating others how they want to be treated sounds better for the other person. Now, this skill requires a little more insight and investigation on the other person to know how to treat them. I see this applying more to people you know as oppose to strangers. For example, I know friends who want flowers, where I do not want flowers. So, to give them flowers knowing I don’t like them caters to their wants as opposed to mine. It did require me to get to know them but it will have great rewards in the end.

        Finally, the last thing I gained insight on this week was the information on the “Generational Characteristics” (Beebe, Beebe, & Redmond, 2011, p. 92). I did not know that my generation has great insight to my interpersonal communication skills. I kinda of agree with what my generations says about me, however, I do not always do what the majority of people do. I see that the values for each generation seem to be right and very interesting to see people I know who fit into those generations and make some sense of them. In all honesty I like to see things like this, it always gives me more insight to myself, friends, family and others I know.

References:

Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Redmond, M. V. (2011). Interpersonal communication: Relating to others (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon