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Intercultural Communication Generalized knowledge vs fine tuning on the spot. drs. Geert van de Ven. Wageningen University Studium Generale 5th of March 2014. 1 Introduction 2 Case history Indonesia 3 Knowledge and its pitfalls 4 Intuition and its pitfalls
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Intercultural Communication Generalized knowledge vs fine tuning on the spot drs.Geert van de Ven Wageningen University Studium Generale 5th of March 2014
1 Introduction 2 Case history Indonesia 3 Knowledge and its pitfalls 4 Intuition and its pitfalls 5 Conclusion: What if neither intuition nor knowledge works?
Pitfall of satellite views Edward Said: Orientalism Ian Buruma: Occidentalism
Orientals in Orientalism Risk 1 Typecasting and cliché for a whole hemisphere Westerners in Occidentalism • Mystical • Mysterious • Subservient • Elusive • Rational • Scientific • Dominant, direct • Rude
Risk 2 Not seeing the cultural mingling • Our Western classical knowledge? • Kamikaze = typical for Japanese culture? • Silicon Valley: All white male American trademark?
At firstsight? Details?
A second chance Although there are pitfalls to knowledge it seems that we are desperately looking for a top down overview and control. And there is nothing wrong with that. As long as we give our first sight a second chance.
Knowledge or getting to know So./st.? • Dynamics • Subcultures • Notoverestimating: differences / similarities • Flexibleassessments(in meetings) • Subtleties
Intuition: a chance in meeting • Gut feeling vs intuition • Passiveness vs alertness: • - The ‘sound of silence’ • - The ‘tone and rhythm’ of language and the body • - Eye contact
The Sound of silence You: ‘I'd like to talk about my job application. I already figured out a few possibilities. Te.: ‘That's good that you're already thinking about it! Where are you going to apply though?’ Silence You: ‘I have to apply before the 30th of March’ Te.: ‘Well then you are certainly on time!’ Long silence You: ‘How much longer do you have to work today?’ Te.: ‘Oh. It's very busy. Good luck with your job application!’
Is it polite? Pakistan customer: ‘ I WANT10 stamps, please' Employee: ' I BEG your pardon?' P. Customer <talking louder>: ' I WANT 10 stamps, now, please.' Employee: ' I'm sorry, Sir, do you mind asking it politely?' P.Customer: ‘I WANT 10 stamps now, PLEASE’ Employee <irritated>: ' Well, all right then, here they are. Next, please' P. Customer: 'Enough for Pakistan?' Employee: 'Could you queue up, Sir, please?'
Conclusion on knowledge • Static knowledge vs a diverse and • dynamic getting to know (better) • A satellite view vs a helicopter view • Holding on to clichés: indolence vs • the need for a temporary grip
Conclusion on intuition • Gut feeling vs fine tuning and spontaneity on the spot? • Only verbal vs synchronicity of verbal and non verbal • Subtlety is prone to misunderstanding. But repairs are possible
Conclusion: what if…? • Epochè: • 1 ‘Suspension of judgement’ aboutsomeoneorsomething (secondchance) • uestioningtheacceptance of your view on the world as being ‘natural’