Cross-Cultural Stereotypes and Communication

Cross-Cultural Stereotypes and Communication
Wendy Kinsey Kaplan University

CJ 246 (section-01)
Stacie Haen-Darden
July 28, 2011

Scenario 1: Asian/Pacific American Using Coining to Heal
Seng Chang and Kaying Lor had the couple’s Children taken on April 30 when some employee’s At Sherman Elementary School noticed marks on the children’s bodies. After the family had been in court on Monday, the couple been notified that there would be no charges and they would receive their children back in their home. In this scenario, the parents thought to be abusing the children taken because of an employee of the school. The parents labeled as abusive and harmful to their children because of the marks seen on the children’s bodies that came from a cultural practice. Many people do not understand other cultures beliefs and think it is wrong because it is different from their belief. Coining begins with a massage using warm oil, which mixed with warming essential oils. A coin repeatedly rubbed against an area of the skin in long flowing movements that always move away from the heart. The blood begins coming to the surface of the skin and will cause a bruise on the skin. Coining believed to be design to bring balance to the body (Wise Geek, 2003-2011).
Scenario 2: African American in Upper Class Suburban
A 19-year-old African American living in the upper – middle class suburb in Fremont, California, reported he was continually stopped and questioned, in four separate times in two weeks, by different officers. The officer saw the African American jogging and stopped him to ask where he lives. The officer asked if the young boy could prove he lived in the house on the hill and asked for his I.D. On another occasion when the young man was jogging, he been stopped for his shoe’s he was wearing. Due to his color, officers may have believed he did not belong is this neighborhood. This is due to cultural beliefs and stereotyping of individuals.

Common Stereotypes and Communication Styles
Negative stereotyping can affect the communication by preventing us from actually getting to know a person on an individual basis, and increases communication errors, and can make us shy away from people of particular culture groups. In America, where it is believed that all cultures are equal, every culture communicates differently and in their own way. The mannerism, the way we talk and gesture can be particular to our background and the environment we been raised into. Previous experiences may remind a person of what is appropriate and inappropriate in trying to approach another person of a different culture. Sometimes previous interaction will make a person not want to interact with someone else or a different culture. Some cross cultures may have had a bad experience with a police officer before and because of this would avoid a police officer at all cost. In some situations, the person will be afraid or refuse to do what an officer wants because of an experience. In the workplace, an experience of people making fun of a person can cause that person, in their next job, not want to associate with fellow employees. In any situation, a person has to be careful what they do and say to a person of another culture.

Importance of Cross Cultural Knowledge
Having the knowledge of different cultural backgrounds can help in the communication process. The cultural diversity and sensitivity can be good in the work place especially when promoting cross-cultural communication. The businesses today are becoming more diverse in our society. The Hudson Institute reported “the American workforce would be reshaped by issues around race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, and that the proper management of this diverse workforce would be a key priority, not because enterprises would become kinder or gentler but because their very survival would depend on it” ( Dr. Pikay Richardson, 2010). There has to be an understanding that cross-cultures communicate differently to be able to understand one another and the culture that the individual has come from. In having this knowledge, one would be able to communicate with many cultures without any confusion or language barrier, which would prevent mistaken words or actions.

REFFERENCES: (2011), What Is Stereotyping? , QandAs, and Received from website http://www.wisegeek.com/in-traditional-chinese-medicine-what-is-coining.htm

Hawkins. D, (2010), Cross-Cultural Communication: How different Cultures Communicate and Effects on the Workplace, Ashford University, and Received by website: http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Cross-Cultural-Communication/426570