Working Across Cultures: Understanding, Challenges, and Cultural Values

In the given data, the author discusses the importance of working across cultures and the need to understand different cultures in today's interconnected world. They share their personal experiences growing up in Nepal and their fascination with Western culture. The author also highlights the challenges of intercultural communication, including ethnocentrism, behavioral differences, and prejudices. They emphasize the significance of cultural values and how they influence decision-making and relationships. Overall, the author aims to enhance their knowledge of diverse cultures and develop effective approaches for working in cross-cultural environments.

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Title: Working Across Culture
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Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Working with Culture................................................................................................................3
References..............................................................................................................................4
The Nature of International Communication & Universal Systems..........................................5
References..............................................................................................................................6
Contrasting Cultural Values.......................................................................................................7
References..............................................................................................................................8
Cultural Shock............................................................................................................................9
References............................................................................................................................10
Language & Written Communication Patterns........................................................................11
References............................................................................................................................12

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Introduction
According to me, “Working across Cultures” is an effective unit as it helps in
understanding the different people belonging to various cultures. In the current times, it has
become a necessity to have knowledge and understanding about the different cultures, due to
the emergence of cross-cultural management. Also, the world is getting smaller as it is
connected through different mediums. Due to the increasing success rate of the cross-cultural
working environment, organizations are more focused on developing a diverse working
environment. Thus, this unit “Working across Cultures”, will help in enhancing my
knowledge about different cultures and nations, along with facilitating me with different
tactics that will help in elaborating my approaches to deal with people from diverse cultures.

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Working with Culture
I am from Nepal and have spent most of my life there. It is a place which is close to
my heart, as it has instilled strong beliefs in me which have helped me in growing in life.
Firstly, let me tell you that Nepal can be considered as the perfect example of the cross-
cultural country as there is a huge influence of the Indian and Tibetan culture on it. While
growing up in this country, I was very fascinated by western culture and always wanted to
experience it. Thus, I quickly grabbed the opportunity of studying in Australia, as their
culture is different from ours and also their culture has a huge influence from the west.
The influence of the multi-dimensional culture in Nepal can be witnessed in their
ethics, social groups, art and craft, tribal, dance, food and music. Even in the language too. I
originally belong to Nepal but I can speak languages like Hindi, English, Tibetan, and
obviously Nepali and Maithili. When I came to Australia, I had a perception that this place
was majorly influenced by western culture, but to my surprise, it was a bit different. The
Australian culture looks like western culture, but it is mainly influenced by the culture of
Britain. The people of this place give huge importance to their values and principles, but at
the same time, they have an irreverent attitude towards many important issues (Bargiela-
Chiappini & Nickerson, 2010). It is due to the fact that they want to exhibit a calm demeanor.
Now, people in Nepal are mostly calm, but when it comes to serious matter, they are a force
to be reckoned with.
As I have said above that I have always been fascinated by the Australian culture,
thus, one place where I want to stay in, is the United States of America. I could say that it is
my dream place due to their open culture, their success rate in the world, and the different
ways through which they are improving themselves with the changing time. The country has
some of the top organizations of the world and they have people belonging to different
cultures, thus, all these things fascinate me, to experience the different cultures of this place.

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For similar reasons, I would like to visit Japan too, as they have created an excellent mark for
themselves on the work map. I want to live in both these places.
I have taken this class to attain the quality of understanding different culture people
and attaining the tricks to easily mingle with them, as it will help me in understanding
different working styles of people depending on their culture. Through this class I want to
master all the six imperatives of the intercultural communications, as it will help me in
strengthening the different imperatives like technological, peace, economic, demographic,
self-awareness, and ethical, which are crucial for developing a smooth cross-cultural working
environment (Chaney & Martin, 2013). All these different imperative improve
communication, helps in analyzing different situations and also helps in facing various
uncertainties associated with the cross-cultural working environment (Ostendorf, 2012).
References
Bargiela-Chiappini, F., & Nickerson, C. (2010). Intercultural Business Communication: A
rich field of studies. Journal of Intercultural Studies, 24(1), 3-15.
Chaney, L., & Martin, J. (2013). Intercultural business communication (6th ed.). Upper
Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall.
Ostendorf, A. (2012). Book Review: Intercultural Business Communication. Business
Communication Quarterly, 75(2), 221-224.

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The Nature of International Communication & Universal Systems
In my opinion, intercultural communication is the key to fostering a better
relationship with people. Intercultural communication involves a deep understanding of
different cultures, their people, the way they communicate, and their perception about the
world. It is through the knowledge of intercultural communication that in an organization,
people are able to formulate a better decision-making standard as the opinion of every person
belonging to a different culture is taken into consideration. Some of the challenges of
intercultural communications are ethnocentrism, behavior, and the various different
prejudices associated with certain cultures and regions (Compoint, 2018). In my opinion, all
these three factors are a huge barrier to intercultural communication.
The aspect of ethnocentrism is present in almost every human being belonging to any
culture. Ethnocentrism can be defined as the quality of putting one’s own culture ahead of
everyone and using it as the reference to view and measure other cultures. In simple words,
due to the inbuilt quality of ethnocentrism, we have the tendency to judge other cultures
through our culture, believing that our way is the only right way. Thus, this process of
analyzing other cultures is illogical and most people believe that the other culture is inferior,
which generates problems in communication (Jackson, 2014). I have personally experienced
an ethnocentric attitude. I belong to Nepal, where we have the habit of eating with hands.
During my initial days in Australia, people looked down upon me because of this habit,
considering it inferior and unhealthy. But for me, it was my culture and something which I
have been brought up with. This created problems for me, as people judged me for it and
also, many restrained themselves from talking to me.
The other barrier to communication is the mere behavior of the people which is
different depending upon the culture they belong to. Now, body language plays a very
important role in communication (Preeti, 2016). In Australia, people greet each other with a

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hug or a kiss, and thus, there lies a huge cultural gap between Nepal and Australia. I still
struggle to communicate with female gender, as I do not greet them with a hug or kiss, so
many consider it as an arrogant attitude. Thus, for me, it becomes very difficult to develop a
good communication bond with any female. In Nepal, men and women have strict boundaries
and it is due to the various rules and customs that are followed in our society or the
community. Thus, I also have this quality of maintaining extra distance with women, which is
perceived wrongly by many people.
The other barrier to intercultural communication is the prejudices attached to different
cultures. These prejudices may be due to the world’s opinion about that culture, may be due
to some personal experience, and many more. After moving to Australia for studies, I have
made friends with a different culture, like I have friends from France, India, Mexico, China,
and many more. But, I have issues with people belonging from Pakistan. It is due to the
world’s opinion that it is a terrorist nation and also, every person in Pakistan supports the
heinous acts of terrorism. Thus, this has built a blockage in my mind for people belonging to
Pakistan.
Thus, all these different factors create issues in intercultural communication, which is
the main aspect for developing a smooth cross-cultural relationship.
References
Compoint, T. (2018). 6 barriers to cross cultural communications - Déclic International.
Retrieved from https://declicinternational.com/6-barriers-to-cross-cultural-
communications/
Jackson, T. (2014). Is cross-cultural management studies morally mute? Cross-cultural
management and ethics. International Journal Of Cross Cultural Management, 14(3),
267-269.

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Preeti. (2016). Barriers to cross-cultural communication. Retrieved from
http://www.simplynotes.in/mbabba/barriers-to-cross-cultural-communication.
Contrasting Cultural Values
The majority of the people have the habit of using the terms values, culture, and
customs interchangeably. All these terms have distinctive meaning. In developing an
effective cross-cultural working environment the most crucial aspect amongst these three is
cultural values. We learn and attain the values of our culture which govern our decisions as
they build our core norms, goals, and principles (Holmberg, 2014). It is due to the values that
people are able to differentiate between right and wrong, normal and abnormal, proper and
improper. For me, the top five cultural values which I have earned from my Nepali culture is
collectivism, socialization, gender roles, humanity, and etiquettes (Jaeger-Fine, 2016).
All these different values govern my day to day activities. Through my Nepali culture,
I understand and know the power of collectivism. I believe in working together and for the
benefit of every person who is involved with me in that work. Thus, it impacts my work, as
when I am working in a team, I encourage everyone to work for the group. Though I believe
in collectivism, I have to confess that when I initially came to Australia, I was a male
chauvinist person, especially when it comes to physical or powerful work. This is due to the
values I have received about gender roles from my culture. I believed that the female sex is
weak and does not possess enough physical strength. But my bubble was burst, when I saw
women working out with huge weight in the gym and many of the construction sites in
Australia. Due to this male chauvinistic attitude, I mostly have male friends in college as the
region I belong to is mostly run by men.
In Nepal, during my spare time, I use to socialize with people, especially during
afternoon time. I do the same thing in Australia too, I do not like spending time alone during

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the afternoon, so I mostly like to visit my college friends during my spare time. I live in a
single room apartment, which has Australian architecture. I really like this place as it is made
of wood and is very cozy. I relate to this place because in Nepal my house is also made of
wood and has similar coziness like this apartment. I scanned a number of the different
apartment before finalizing it, as I wanted a connection with my homeland.
In the case of Priya and Nigel, if I was Nigel boss, then I would have proposed him to
find an alternative venue, so Priya could also join us. If I followed my Nepali cultural values,
then I would have definitely accepted the proposal to go to the men’s club to celebrate. But
after moving to Australia, I now understand the true meaning of equality. So, I know that
both of them, Nigel and Priya has equally worked hard on the project and thus, they should
be celebrating together. The Australian culture exhibits a culture that gives equal preference
to people belonging to different genders (Kamp, Alam, Blair & Dunn, 2017). Thus, it taught
me the importance of equality at the workplace and in life.
References
Holmberg, D. (2014). Ethnographic agency, field assistants and the rise of cultural activism
in Nepal. Ethnography, 15(3), 311-330.
Jaeger-Fine, D. (2016). Five cultural values that will enhance your study & job search in the
U.S. | the National Jurist. Retrieved from http://www.nationaljurist.com/international-
jurist/five-cultural-values-will-enhance-your-study-job-search-us
Kamp, A., Alam, O., Blair, K., & Dunn, K. (2017). Australians’ Views on Cultural Diversity,
Nation and Migration, 2015-16. Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: An Interdisciplinary
Journal, 9(3), 61-84.

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Cultural Shock
Though there is huge excitement and enthusiasm, which is associated with entering a
new land, in the initial days, it feels like you are lost in a new world. The changes that a
person experience when entering a new land, will give many cultural shocks. But, the best
part about these shocks is that they are temporary (Cupsa, 2018). When I moved to Australia,
it was the first time, I was going to stay without my family and for all my native Australian
classmates, it was a normal thing. Also, they got a cultural shock when I informed them that I
still stay with my parents. The biggest cultural shock which I received was the attitude of
people towards homosexuals. In Nepal, though homosexuality was legalized in 2007 still
people do not accept homosexuals and in most of the communities, it is prohibited. I was
amazed by the sheer openness of people in Australia towards homosexuals.
Another cultural shock which I receive was the attitude of people towards strangers.
Now, in Nepal people hardly talk with strangers and even advice their kids to do the same.
But in Australia, talking to strangers is a normal thing (Moufakkir, 2013). I myself
experienced it. One day, I was shopping in the supermarket, when a man started talking to me
at the checkout counter. Both of us were standing in the queue and he noticed some Asian
ingredients in my shopping basket and he started talking to me. Initially, I kept listening to
him, but later I also educated him about the different Asian ingredients I had in my basket.
Later, he offered me a ride, which I politely denied. For me it was a cultural shock as talking
to a stranger was huge and then, offering me a ride back home was even a bigger shock.

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Though I like this friendly and humble behavior of the people of Australia, but from the land
I belong, I judged him a thousand times for having a bad hidden motive.
On the scale of 10, I sit on number 7 in acculturation. I have integrated and
assimilated, the Australian culture, but still, I feel like an outsider many times and I have
definitely not deculturated, though there are many modifications in my values, approaches,
and principles, which are influenced by the Australian culture (Presbitero, 2016).
According to me, Frank did not prepare for the meeting. He should have searched the
Mexican culture and the culture practiced in the organization. Mexican people perceive
everything with a calmer approach, thus, he should have attained appropriate knowledge
about the Mexican culture for the meeting. Juan was trying to know Frank and thus, he
enquired about his personal life and had a friendly approach towards Frank in the meeting.
Thus, if I was in place of Frank then I would have definitely researched the culture of Mexico
and the culture practiced in the organization. Along with it, I would have kept a patient
attitude towards Juan in the meeting.
References
Cupsa, I. (2018). Culture Shock and Identity. Transactional Analysis Journal, 48(2), 181-
191.
Moufakkir, O. (2013). Culture shock, what culture shock? Conceptualizing culture unrest in
intercultural tourism and assessing its effect on tourists' perceptions and travel
propensity. Tourist Studies, 13(3), 322-340.
Presbitero, A. (2016). Culture shock and reverse culture shock: The moderating role of
cultural intelligence in international students’ adaptation. International Journal Of
Intercultural Relations, 53, 28-38.

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Language & Written Communication Patterns
Though language is considered as one of the biggest barriers of cross-cultural
communication, if a person learns a few crucial words or aspects of a different language, then
it can help in building strong bonds (Shaffer, 2019). According to several studies, this has
been found that communicating with a person in their language, provides a person with a
sense of huge respect and pride. Thus, language plays a very important role in cross-cultural
management. Also, it is crucial for a person to understand the difference in the meaning of
commonly used words worldwide. A certain thing would mean something good in a
particular culture and contrast to this, it may also mean something very bad in another culture
(Xian, 2009). Thus, for entering in different regions and cultures, it is crucial to have basic
knowledge about their language and the written communication pattern practiced in that
place.
In the case of Rebecca, she is entering a region that is completely different from
Australia. Rebecca is going to a conservative land, Saudi Arabia. Being a girl, it will be even
more difficult for her, as Saudi Arabia has strict rules for their women from their clothing to
their freedom to roam around freely (Thompson, 2015). Every aspect associated with Saudi
Arabia has strict rules. Rebecca will get many cultural shocks, once she will encounter with
the Saudi Arabia culture. She will encounter a land that is mainly run by men and that women
are not provided with any power. Along with this, if she indulges in alcohol, then she has to
be very conscious about where she drinks as in most of the regions of Saudi Arabia, alcohol
is prohibited. The other thing which is prohibited is a public display of affection and thus, the

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Australian culture of greeting people with a kiss or hug will not be tolerated in Saudi Arabia.
Therefore, to handle this situation, Rebecca needs to conduct detailed research on the culture
and rules in Saudi Arabia and strictly abide by them. Also, she should learn a few customs
and trends like greeting people and others, to offer respect to the clients. If I would have been
in place of Rebecca, then I would have learned a few words of the Saudi Arabian language
like hello, thank you, and goodbye. Also, I would have learned the few Saudi Arabian trends
that would help in gaining the trust of the people.
References
Shaffer, M. (2019). Book review: Managing expatriates in China: A language and identity
perspective. Palgrave Studies in Chinese Management. International Journal Of Cross
Cultural Management, 1(1), 14-25.
Thompson, M. (2015). Saudi Women Leaders: Challenges and Opportunities. Journal Of
Arabian Studies, 5(1), 15-36.
Xian, H. (2009). Lost in translation? Language, culture and the roles of translator in cross‐
cultural management research. Qualitative Research In Organizations And
Management: An International Journal, 3(3), 231-245.

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Conclusion
Thus, finally after attaining knowledge about a different aspect of cross-cultural
management, this can be stated that as though there are values, principles, and customs which
are instilled in us from a very early age. But it is crucial that with time we bring certain
modifications in our attitude and behavior and alter the different aspects of our customs. It is
crucial that a specific culture should be influenced by different cultures. It is important as
attaining all the different positive attributes of various culture will help in building better
qualities in each and every individual, which will help in dealing with the different
uncertainties in a better way.

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