Intercultural Communication: Assumptions, Culture, and Behavior

This essay delves into the realm of intercultural communication, exploring how personal assumptions and cultural backgrounds shape interactions and behaviors. The author, a North American, reflects on their own cultural lens and how it influences their perceptions of individuals from diverse b...Read More

Intercultural communication is the discipline that basically understands the
communication that happens across varied cultures (Martin and Nakayama, 2013). I basically
belong to North America, the United States. In this regard, it can be said that my culture has
imposed a strong influence on my personality as well as the way I interact or communicate the
things to others. In my group, I include the friends who belong to the varied culture. Thus, I have
knowledge about cultures of different type of people.
Besides this, I have my own assumption regarding the people and the society. For
example, if I see any Indian men at that time I use to assume that he must be the very intelligent
guy. This is because I have read in many articles as well as newspaper about the Indian people
intelligence. In addition to this, if I see any girl wearing the stall on her head then I got to assume
that she must belong to Muslim culture and I should not go near to her. This is because, since she
is Muslim so she could be terrorist. Furthermore, I have many things from my Asian friends also.
For example, I have learned that whenever I am communicating with the Asian people at that
time I should not see in their eyes. This is because; making an eye contact during communication
is the sign of disrespect in Asian culture.
On the other hand, I also have the assumption that people who look like Africans are very
rude while speaking. This might be because of their black look. Thus, it can be said that these are
my assumptions regarding different type of people. These assumptions tend to cause a significant
impact on the way I behave or interact with the other individuals who are living in society.
However, the deep structure roots of my own cultural lens are my family and the people
of my own community. In this regard, it can be said that I have learned many things from the
family as well as my friends. My family is the typical American family and we all love to travel.
Herein, with an aim to shape my own behavior my mother has played a very significant role.
Here, she has taught me all the major antiques of our culture. For example, she has taught me
whenever I am communicating with some other individual I should look into their eyes. This is
because the given thing showcase my confidence. In addition to this, it also gives an indication to
other individual that I am listing him/her with full concentration. Thus, the given thing will lead
to cause a positive impact on the other individual. Furthermore, my mother has also told that
whenever I meet with any individual I should hug them and kiss them on their cheeks. This is the
part of our culture and we should follow all these things. Besides this, in my community, many
1

people belong to vary other cultures also. Thus, their culture has also caused a significant impact
on my own value as well as behavior towards the other individual in an effectual manner.
Herein, it can be said that my assumptions regarding the people of different groups came
from my own peer group only. The peer group includes my friends and family members. I used
to spend my majority of the time with them only. Here, I use to listen to each and everything
which is being communicated to them carefully. Thus, these people are playing a very significant
role in my life in an effectual manner.
The assumptions which I have in my mind regarding the people who belong to varied
culture cause a significant impact on my thinking. For example, I have made the assumption that
all Indian people are intelligent. Thus, while talking with any Indian people I used to perform
lots and lots of work on the things like what I am going to say to them. For example, if I am
giving some presentation in any topic then in the given situation I will identify all the facts and
figures in relation to the things which I am going to communicate with them. On the other hand,
I always used to keep one arm distance with the people who look like a Muslim. This is because;
I have made the assumption in my mind that all people who belong to Muslim culture are
terrorists. Thus, the given thing will shape my behavior towards them also. For example,
whenever any Muslim tries to communicate with me or ask for any help then in the given
situation I just ignore them. From the given this, it is correct to say that the assumptions that an
individual build in their mind causes a significant impact on his/her behavior in an efficient way.
Besides this, in the process of shaping my assumptions regarding people, my culture also
plays a very significant role. For example, my culture resists giving hugs to the Muslin women.
This is because; this thing is the kind of disrespect in Muslim culture. From the all these
activities I can say that the way I react and meet with other people is effectively influenced by
my own culture. Thus, for an individual, it is very essential that it should effectively judge the
situation while performing any kind of activity. This is because; if it is not done then the given
thing could be considered as disrespectful in some other culture.
The assumptions which I have made in my own mind regarding the culture of people
have led me to a different type of stereotypes also. For example, my assumptions about Indian
and African people are totally stereotyped (Leonardi and Rodriguez-Lluesma, 2013). This is
because; it is not necessary that all Indian people are intelligent. This is due to the fact that I have
seen many Indian people who are not intelligent. Thus, on the basis of one individual, I cannot
2

draw a conclusion regarding whole Indian people (Hua, 2013). In accordance with the given
context, I have examined that there are some Indian people who are not that much intelligent.
Thus, my assumption about Indian people is the kind of stereotype. In the similar way, I have
also made an assumption about African people on the basis of their look and color. Here, I have
assumed that these people must be very rude. But, this is completely wrong. It is due to the fact
that there are some African people who are very helpful. Thus, it can be said that there are many
assumptions which I have made in my own mind is completely wrong and ineffective. I just need
to change it.
The assumption caused a necessary impact on my knowledge and learning about the
intercultural communication. For example, it is because of my assumptions only my interest is
more aroused about the things that are different in my culture as well as Asian culture. For
example, with an aim to assess the same I have purchased the book on an Asian people culture.
Herein, I have made the notes regarding different between their and my culture. It is by
complying with given type of activity only I got to know about their culture in an effectual
manner. Moreover, because of assumptions I have improved my understating regarding the
African people behavior. Thus, it is correct to say that my own assumptions have directed me for
getting the information about other people’s culture.
3

REFERENCES
Hua, Z. (2013). Exploring intercultural communication: Language in action. London:
Routledge.
Leonardi, P. M. and Rodriguez-Lluesma, C. (2013). Occupational stereotypes, perceived status
differences, and intercultural communication in global organizations. Communication
Monographs, 80(4), 478-502.
Martin, J. N. and Nakayama, T. K. (2013). Intercultural communication in contexts. New York:
NY: McGraw-Hill.
4