For example, people from Latin American cultures often stand closer together and touch each other frequently. However, if you do this when you’ve just met someone, they might feel uncomfortable.
Maintain eye contact as you talk so you can tell if they’re understanding what you say. If they appear confused, stop and ask them to tell you what they don’t understand so you can make it clearer for them.
Some slang becomes so ingrained in your speech that you might not even recognize it as slang. For example, suppose you said, “I would’ve bombed that test if I hadn’t hit the books, so I had to pull an all-nighter to ace it. " In that seemingly simple sentence, words like “bombed,” “hit,” “all-nighter,” and “ace” are slang terms that might confuse a non-native speaker. Avoid sarcasm, which doesn’t translate well. It’s hard to understand and can be even harder to explain—especially if you’re talking to someone whose culture doesn’t really use sarcasm or dry humor.
Some gestures that are fine in your culture might be rude in another culture. For example, pointing at someone is rude in many cultures. Even a subtle nod of the head doesn’t always mean “yes”—if you’re talking to a Bulgarian or a Greek, it means the opposite. [5] X Research source Often you’ll be fine if you simply mirror the other person’s stance. For example, if they’re standing with their hands clasped behind their back and you stand in the same way, you’ll be unlikely to offend them or miscommunicate your intent. If you’re sitting, keep your feet flat on the floor or cross them at the ankles and try not to fidget too much. Showing the soles of your feet or pointing them toward another person is offensive to people from certain parts of the Middle East and India. [6] X Research source
Generally, refer to strangers by their surname and “Mr. " or “Ms. " In many cultures, it’s a big deal to be on a first-name basis with someone. If they prefer that you call them by their first name, or by something else, they’ll let you know. Remember your manners! Regularly use words such as “please,” “thank you,” “excuse me,” “pardon me,” and “I’m sorry. " If you know some of these words and phrases in the person’s native language, they’ll appreciate it all the more.
In more hierarchal cultures, such as many Asian cultures, avoid eye contact if you’re speaking to someone older than you or in a position of authority. This communicates respect for their position. In Middle Eastern cultures, prolonged eye contact is common if you’re speaking to someone of the same gender, but if you’re speaking to someone of another sex, eye contact should generally be avoided.
For example, if you’re talking about baking a cake, you might mime the act of stirring, using a spoon in an empty bowl. You could also wave your hands over the cake to demonstrate how to spread the icing on the cake after it cools. If you’re showing someone how to use something, walk them through the steps while using it yourself. Physical demonstrations are also helpful if you’re trying to communicate in a non-native language and don’t remember the word for something. If you can show the other person what you mean, they’ll usually catch on pretty quick.
Likewise, if you want to make sure the person understood you, ask them to repeat what you said rather than simply asking them if they understood. You can also simply repeat an ambiguous word or phrase as a way to seek clarification. [12] X Research source For example, if the person keeps mentioning your assistant and you don’t have an assistant, you might say “Assistant?” They’ll fill in information about the person they’re talking about, and then you can clarify that person’s role.
Take the time to get to know your coworker so you can understand how they like to communicate. [14] X Expert Source Jeffrey FerminMarketing Manager, AllVoices Expert Interview. 11 July 2022. Keep in mind that cultures can be extremely varied, so be as specific as possible. For example, while you’ll get some information by searching for “Asian culture,” you’ll get better information if you look specifically for “Chinese culture,” “Korean culture,” or “Japanese culture. " For example, if you’re meeting someone as a business representative to negotiate a contract, look up cultural norms both for business and for contract negotiation. Picking up some common words and phrases in someone’s native language also helps a lot! For example, polite words and phrases such as “I’m sorry,” “please,” and “thank you” can help smooth out any missteps.
