Where We Live: Cross-Cultural "Oops"
Improving Cultural Understanding for A Global Society
By Where We Live - WNPR
Published: Apr 11, 2011
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Mark Hehl
Photo:Chion Wolf
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Where We Live: Cross-Cultural "Oops"
So we keep hearing that we’re a “global society.” But that can lead to some big gaps in cultural understanding.
Today we talk to international businesspeople, consultants, and bi-lingual Americans who have learned how to negotiate across cultures…a necessity in a world where we’re all connected, but all communicate very differently.
But even the most seasoned multi-cultural travelers can tell of laughable faux-pas and huge business deals gone sour, over mere misunderstandings.
We want to hear from you. Share your stories about the cultural “oops” - the misunderstandings of language, lingo and custom that have gotten you in trouble.
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Email from Mary
Thank you for the most recent episode of "Where we Live" that focused on the need for cross-cultural awareness. As your guests pointed out, unintended cultural gaffs can be embarrassing and quite costly when doing business in other countries. International Education Services, LLC is a Connecticut based business that provides training in cultures and languages designed to facilitate global business relationships. The IES web-site includes episodes from the video series "Fortune Cookies", designed to introduce Chinese language and culture to American business travelers using short humorous sketches. Your listeners who are interested in using the web to learn about cultural do's and taboos may find the web-site useful. See: www.FortuneCookiesLearn.com.
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