Tips for Better Intercultural Communication Kenji Kitao

Getting to Know Canadians and Others n Make the first move yourself. u start conversations with strangers u ask questions u talk about yourself and about Japan

n Talk about classes, work, hobbies, family, leisure time activities, sports, current events, etc. u What classes are you taking? u What is your major? u Where do you work? u What are you going to do this weekend?

n You need to be prepared to answer similar questions. u major u future plans u student life u Doshisha u Kyoto u Japan u etc.

n How to keep the conversation going u listen carefully. u follow up on the topic F talk about the same topic for a while ask questions give related information about yourself, your own experiences and opinions, etc. F dont skip around from one topic to another

n give a little more information than you are asked for n ask an open-ended rather than closed-ended questions u open-ended F what, when, how, why u closed-ended F yes, no questions n You should make your conversation two-way.

n avoid certain topics u monetary matters u religion u politics u very personal information u the body, health, etc.

Introductions n self introduction u name, where from, student, major, hobbies, family, etc. n introduce two friends u name, relationship, some other information n impolite not to introduce people n if you are not sure, Mary, do you know Jim?

Invitations n issue an invitation u what u when u Im having some people over for dinner on Friday night. Would you like to come?

n Indefinite invitation u We should have lunch together sometime. u Lets get together sometime. u Like See you later.

n Accepting invitations u express pleasure over invitation F Lets do that. F Id love to. F That sounds great.

n Refusing invitations u soften a refusal F expression of regret F expression of appreciation F both u give a reason u show an interest in accepting another time

Gifts n not necessary to bring gifts to visit people n nice gesture n birthday, Christmas, wedding, baby shower, etc. n monetary value is not very important n more personal u what they like, what would suit them, etc.

n dont belittle the gift n make the reason for giving a gift clear -- Happy birthday. n say I hope you like it. n something from Japan u explain what it is

n when you receive a gift u open the gift and say something nice about it F This is a beautiful ring. F I wanted to get a pair of gloves since it is getting cold here. u Show appreciation clearly, at least say Thank you. u response, Im glad you like it.

Compliments n I like your dress. n Your shirt looks nice. u tastes, sounds, is, n Thats a nice bag. u nice, good, great, wonderful, beautiful, lovely, terrific, pretty, delicious n response u Thank you. + something about it u Dont reject it.

Complaints n talk directly to the person involved n do not ask another person to talk to that person for you n in business, talk to the person who can do something about the problem

n make the problem clear, but try to avoid hurting the other persons feelings n express the assumtion that the other person acted in good faith n try to solve the problem before it gets too big n make it clear how to solve the problem

Apologizing n If you have done something wrong, you are expected to apologize. u how big is offense u the relationship with the person

u small offensive and close relationship F Sorry about that. Sorry. u small and not close F Im sorry. Im so sorry. u large and not close F Im terribly sorry. I really must apologize. Please accept my apology.

n specifying what you are appologizing for u Sorry to be late. Im sorry that I misunderstood you. u I really must apologize, but I lost your book. n offering a repair u Can I buy you a new one?

n You should sometimes express regret over the situation, even if it was not your fault. u Im sorry we had a misunderstanding.

n differences between Canadians and Japanese u Japanese appologize even if they are not wrong but to smooth out social relations u dont apologize if you are not responsible F no ones fault, you are partially responsible for, difficult to determine whose fault F Insurance may not pay if you admit your fault

n important issues u be clear about what you are apologizing for u apologizing means that you admit your fault

n responding to an apology u if you accept it F Thats OK. No problem. Thats all right. These things happen. etc.

n giving feedback and requesting clarification n expressing opinions, agreeing and disagreeing n making requests and asking favors n responding to requests n making offers n asking preferences and specifying choices

n giving advice and making suggestions n correcting n expressing appreciations n congratulating and expressing sympathy

Communicating with Americans: Functions in English n S. Kathleen Kitao and Kenji Kitao

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