CROSS CULTURE COMMUNICATION

Where am I at in my study?

This week has been centred on gathering all my notes, research and thoughts and understanding which areas I need to focus on.

Since starting the module I have read and re-read the handbook SO many times, but after doing it again the past few days I'm honing in on details I perhaps missed the times before!

I've prioritised re-reading exerts from books and journals from the Reading List and Bibliography in the Handbook and highlighting more quotes from theorists to add depth to my essay.

I'm exploring how 'being adaptable' has existed and still exists in my practise. Adapting to Ship Life was an experience which I had to suddenly adapt to multiple circumstances; a new routine, confined living space, less freedom, resilience to having long distance relationships with my support network. Most importantly I adjusted to all these personal changes whilst travelling. I am going to focus on cross cultural communication and how I adapted my communication skills within in a multicultural workplace. How to cross the language barrier, learn values, beliefs and traditions. The importance of having cross cultural competence; "cross cultural sensitivity, cross cultural awareness and cross-cultural ability". (Jenifer, R.D and Raman, G.P 2015).

language barriers may make it difficult to communicate effectively or cultural difference may inhibit internal and external customers from being comfortable enough to open up, socialise or bond. (J. Whitemore, 2016)

Onboard, the vast majority of crew and officers onboard were multicultural. I felt confused how to approach someone and engage in conversation with the language barrier. We immediately became aware of the etiquette in saying "Bon Appetite" before a meal. Engaging in this tacit assumption and tradition established a mutual respect. Respect, etiquette and manners. Appreciating the value of another culture's tradition and adapting to accommodate sparks trust for further communication, progressing into expanding my professional network onboard the ship. Cross Cultural Sensitivity. A cast member gave us the concrete knowledge of what greetings to use and how to be culturally aware. (Kolb, D.A, 1984). Reflecting on this by visually watching how crew members greeted each other, conceptualising that I have the ability and confidence to do this and actively experimenting by entering a crew area and making that initial engagement.

 "You don't need to change your culture or convince others to change theirs, but rather, find common ground where everyone can understand each other and respect and embrace cultural differences" (J. Whitemore, 2016).

Whilst teaching the shows I used my tacit knowledge by demonstrating the movement rather than explaining the choreography. (Polanyi, M and Sen, A 2009) "we know more than we can tell". By not verbally describing the technicalities of a move are the learners prone to an injury due to miscommunication? By teaching through movement and music could this silence portray ignorance to learning their language? Adapting my communication style meant that we were on mutual ground, we both felt comfortable and not out of control. 

By having a multicultural cast member, an affiliate and network of support I could use him to translate questions, notes and feedback (Crisp, R.J. and Turner, R.N., 2020) "humans have a basic desire to affiliate with others and psychologically benefit from such affiliations". 

Web 2.0 and the ability to connect and stay connected with new, and old affiliates internationally contributes to the growth of cross culture communication; learning values, traditions and disciplines in seconds. I aspire to work overseas again and one day perform in a Cabaret in Europe, furthering my knowledge in cross culture communication through Collective Intelligence will aid this adaption; having a network of cultural diversity online. (Feenberg, A. and Barney, D. 2004).

Discussion on ethical considerations for this would be appreciated!

References:

Crisp, R.J. and Turner, R.N., 2020. Essential social psychology. Sage.

Feenberg, A and Barney, D. (2004) Community in the Digital Age: Philosophy and Practise. United States: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Inc 

Jenifer, R.D. and Raman, G.P., (2015). Cross-cultural communication barriers in the workplace. International Journal of Management, 6(1), pp.348-351. Available at: https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/40875757/CROSS_CULTURAL_COMMUNICATION_BARRIERS_IN_WORKPLACE-2.pdf?1451180204=&response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename%3DCROSS_CULTURAL_COMMUNICATION_BARRIERS_IN.pdf&Expires=1615200718&Signature=fEb0o2kneA7j8irCc1BFtoOPUZMMlcN-NEOoo-13I8SJ77XBJhaL97yVng~3oXxuRNMVZADF~KutQlmsBoQ4QGomovqBEiiwFdrc0stmYLheW8eGg1MklzoJAUKmw30I~rE2dWUDDG5hviKP1KOux5A~F-CLLKqenaLJ0sUODc5gY3zapMbw3EtmhYGY2GCmW0TTN0WgeP4Ar38klA255q3ChLoD0hfAWVijCFA1hI8odWk4basC8oLb5JHUsCmg8Iv1v49fzsIrVIEjjWfV3iIac86PBEZziuAzjqZK0rHQ71aAP8WBafLiJcVyrIJDVknOuiv-BAZuWJCo2B-Z-A__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA [Accessed on 05 March 201]

Kolb, D.A (1984) Experimental Learning, Experience As The Source of Learning and Development. NJ: Prentice Hall 

Mensil, D.B and Naschberger, C. (2013) The Survivors Guide To Cross Cultural Communication [video] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa2LX6l31rg [Accessed on 07 March 2021]

Polanyi, M. and Sen, A. (2009) The Tacit Dimension, Chicago |||. ;London, The University of Chicago Press Whitemore, J. (2016) 5 Ways To Overcome Cultural Barriers At Work [online] Available at: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/276998 [Acessed on 05 March 2021]

Ellie x