KSR Diplomacy Diary: 18. Working across Cultures скачать в хорошем качестве

KSR Diplomacy Diary: 18. Working across Cultures

18. Working across cultures Anyone engaged in international contacts, like businessmen and scholars, works across cultures; as with diplomats, they need to master this skill. 1. A precondition is to understand oneself, via one’s own perspective, but how we are seen by others. That helps in comparative study. Culture theory gives us instruments or concepts to examine cultures. The Dutch scholar Gert Hofstede gives six indicators: power distance, (equality or inequalities in society); handling of uncertainty (ability to deal with the unexpected); individualist or collective; masculine or feminine; gratification cycle (seeks immediate reward, or willing to postpone these); self-indulgence or restraint. Richard Lewis categorizes societies into three boxes, the ‘linear active’ (like Scandinavian or Germans, with high value to punctuality and orderly behavior, upholding rules and seeking no favors); the ‘multi-active’ (good at handling chaos, view time as flexible, can juggle different tasks at the same time); and the ‘reactive’ or autonomous (Japan is a classic example, strong focus on collective values). But the distinctions need more work; China reflects Confucian values, with collective behavior and values, but in practice the Chinese are also individualist. A third major theorist is Edward Hall, who gives us the concept of polychromatic or monochromatic view of time; ‘proxemics’ (i.e. how close or distant people stand in social interactions); and most important of all, the notion of ‘high’ or ‘low’ context. Example, a Dutch or the Danes considers only what is said, not the manner of communication or other indirect signals. In contrast, in Japan (and in much of Asia) one listens to the words, plus the manner in which the outspoken, i.e. the non-verbal signals. If in a negotiation, a Japanese businessman says the proposal of the other side is ‘interesting’, it is in fact being rejected, but said indirectly, to save ‘face’. 2. In applying cultural theory, one should understand that within the same country or society there will exist many subcategories; not everyone in that society will show the same features. Learning a foreign language is a fine means of accessing a culture and understanding its nuances. No one can master all cultures; a key requirement is to observe and learn continually, taking a non-judgmental position. Cultures are different from one another, but not superior or inferior. 3. Diplomatic signals are a form of non-verbal communication, where either a verbal or written message is reinforced through that signal; or it is sometimes contradicted indirectly. The purpose: to communicate something not included in the surface communication. Further, a diplomatic signal always needs interpretation; sometimes an element of ambiguity is built into the signal. Examples: visiting Israel, an Egyptian President wore a tie that suggested a ‘swastika’ symbol, but not clearly; this left the other side in doubt. Sometimes the signal is not understood. In 1971, China wanted to signal to the US its willingness to transform their mutual relationship; at the 1971 May Day Parade in Beijing, visiting US author Edgar Snow was received at the public rostrum and stood alongside Chairman Mao. But the US did not pick up the signals, as Snow was seen to be a longtime supporter of Mao. China then had to tell the US through its bilateral ambassador dialogue channel that it wanted to receive a high representative in Beijing – that is how Kissinger made his ‘secret’ visit in July 1971, starting a major reconciliation.