What is on offer at cultural supermarket? Dr. Sandra Kraže Banking Institution of Higher Education October 14, 2005

From Stereotypes and prejudices to identity cards and culture as a dynamic and interactive process  Stereotype (imposed, presumed) - leading to otherization  The trap of over- generalization and reduction when interacting with others  A priori assumption - someone is intelligent, lazy, always late – generate serious obstacles to effective communication  View your communication partners as an individual not as a representative of a kind  Identity card (Two sides)  Multiplicity of identities (age group, nationality, a social class, professional group)  Doing the culture in order to communicate( creation)  Establish the territory  Cultural change

Otherization  Stereotyping- ideal characterization of being foreign  Prejudice-judgements made on the basis of interest rather than real evidence  Cultural labelling- culturalism (imagination defines the person)

The concept of identity  Understand how people are creating and negotiating their cultural identity  Appreciate that you are creating and negotiating your cultural identity in the communication process  Appreciate that the creation and negotiation of cultural and personal identity is the same thing

Cultural negotiation  Cultural values and beliefs originate from a country’s history, religion, physical environment and language  They impose themselves on our behavior  Our minds are conditioned at an early age  Values and beliefs are extremely stable over time

Cultural categories by R.Lewis

Linear-active  Money, career challenge, word-deed correlation, punctuality, reliability, results-orientation, speed  Multi-active Words, persuasion, warmth, compassion, feelings, personal approach, development of relationships  Reactive Protection of “face”, building of trust, modesty, patience, respect, courtesy, avoidance of confrontation

Cultural supermarket-what is it? How does it link with intercultural communication?  Influence of movies  Music  Sports  Internet  Grocery store  Choice of home decor

Explanation of intercultural communication Focus on :  Miscommunication  Behavious patterns  Fixed values Culture is seen as creating and maintaining unfavourable climate

Possible solution Build knowledge on  settings- work, study,leisure  Actors- the people involved  Social and linguistic angle  Cultural circumstances  Observations and strategies  Identity  Otherization issues Involve in the process of intercultural communication rather then into how to do with different cultures