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Intercultural Communication: Generalized Knowledge vs. Fine-Tuning on the Spot

This talk explores the pitfalls of generalized knowledge and the importance of fine-tuning on the spot in intercultural communication. It discusses case histories from Indonesia and examines the risks of typecasting and clichés. The talk also highlights the significance of intuition and the challenges of understanding cultural mingling. Overall, it encourages a second chance and a more flexible approach to knowledge and intuition.

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Intercultural Communication: Generalized Knowledge vs. Fine-Tuning on the Spot

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  1. Intercultural Communication Generalized knowledge vs fine tuning on the spot drs.Geert van de Ven Wageningen University Studium Generale 5th of March 2014

  2. 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?

  3. Knowledge: Top Down

  4. Pitfall of satellite views Edward Said: Orientalism Ian Buruma: Occidentalism

  5. Orientals in Orientalism Risk 1 Typecasting and cliché for a whole hemisphere Westerners in Occidentalism • Mystical • Mysterious • Subservient • Elusive • Rational • Scientific • Dominant, direct • Rude

  6. Risk 2 Not seeing the cultural mingling • Our Western classical knowledge? • Kamikaze = typical for Japanese culture? • Silicon Valley: All white male American trademark?

  7. At firstsight? Details?

  8. Dutch Icons

  9. ‘Subcultural’ Icons

  10. 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.

  11. Knowledge or getting to know So./st.? • Dynamics • Subcultures • Notoverestimating: differences / similarities • Flexibleassessments(in meetings) • Subtleties

  12. Intuition: Bottom Up

  13. 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

  14. 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!’

  15. 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?'

  16. It’s in the eye of the beholder

  17. 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

  18. 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

  19. Conclusion: what if…? • Epochè: • 1 ‘Suspension of judgement’ aboutsomeoneorsomething (secondchance)  • uestioningtheacceptance of your view on the world as being ‘natural’

  20. Paradise Lost

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