Book Review Craig Storti 52718Revised

Virginia Baptist College Cross-Cultural Dialogues: 74 Brief Encounters with Cultural Difference Instructor: Professor Brian Wagner Student: Cynthia Williams Course: Cross-Cultural Communications Corrected version due: 6-3-18 and Anthropology Book Review: Cross-Cultural Dialogues: 74 Brief Encounters with Cultural Difference Author Background and Overview Born on November 24, 1947, our author, Craig Storti is an expert on cultural communication with over thirty years’ experience helping business people, diplomats, civil servants, and foreign aid workers engage effectively with people from other cultures and diverse backgrounds. He leads cross-cultural workshops for international agencies and organizations on four continents, and assists numerous corporations and government agencies to better manage global teams and culturally diverse workforces. He has lived nearly a quarter of his life abroad-with extended stays in Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist cultures. He speaks French, Arabic, and Nepali. Mr. Storti is the director of Communicating Across Cultures specializing in the design and delivery of seminars, books, newspaper and magazines articles which facilitate cross cultural communication in diverse cultures. His mission is to facilitate better communication between diverse backgrounds by bridging the communication gaps between diverse cultures. Mr. Storti is also the Vice President of Intercultural Programs for the Toronto-based Human Resources firm proLearning Innovations. He is also a consultant and trainer in intercultural communications, with clients such as the U.S. Department of State, Microsoft, Columbia University, Deloitte, and many other household names. He was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco (1970-1972) and later worked as Peace Corps staff in Washington, Nepal, Tunisia, and Sri Lanka. He resides in Westminster, Maryland. Other books written by Storti are: The Art of Crossing Cultures, 2nd Edition The Art of Coming Home Figuring Foreigners Out: A Practical Guide Why Travel Matters: A Guide to the Life-Changing Effects of Travel Speaking of India: Bridging the Communication Gap When Working With Indians The Art of Doing Business Across Cultures: 10 Countries, 50 Mistakes, and 5 Steps to Cultural Competence Americans At Work: A Guide to the Can-Do People With his diverse background and experience, it is evident in this book that Mr. Storti has offered us a wealth of knowledge and tested information on communicating with other cultures. This is an ideal textbook for introductory cultural communications courses and a refreshing resource for the seasoned intercultural communicator. These seventy-four dialogues covered a broad sampling of international backgrounds which one could easily encounter in a social, work and business settings on a daily basis. The dialogues were challenging because at first glance, the cultural miscommunication are not easily identified proving just how misguided Americans can be when it comes to bridging the cultural communication gap. Mr. Storti’s explanatory statements for each dialogue helped us to see our prejudices and misconceptions. He highlighted the problem then he offered a solution. After reading this book, you will be more sensitive to your choice of words with other cultures. Cultural sensitivity is important factor in building. relationship with other cultures. Our words are powerful. They can build bridges or burn them. Strengths of the book. The seven lessons at the conclusion of this book were seven strengths. They made a difference in my thought processes of other cultures. Lesson 1: I won’t assume we’re all the same because we aren’t. We have similarities but open communication with cross cultures starts with no preconceived notions. I must dismiss what I heard or what I think I know about another culture. Start with a clean slate. Lesson 2: Don’t judge others (Matthew 7:1) When we judge others, others are also judging us and both parties could be terribly wrong. We all have racial prejudices based on our preconceived notions of other races. It’s part of this world’s biggest problem. Cultural miscommunication is often a product of prejudice based on family upbringing, economic background and sometimes pure ignorance. That is why Christians must strive to break those chains. I’m not preaching Brother Brian Lesson 3: Don’t assume a behavior in one culture has the same meaning in another culture. What is polite in one culture can be quite offensive in another. The American greeting of shaking hands is not acceptable to most Asian cultures, i.e. Japanese and Thai. They clasp their hands in a praying position and bow. Lesson 4: Don’t assume that what you said was what was understood. You know what you meant to say, but somewhere in the translation, the meaning can be misunderstood by the receiver. Lesson 5: Understanding what was said is filtered through the experiences of the American and the foreigner. The outcome can be totally different for each party. It is important to learn the norm of the foreign culture in question. You cannot filter your words if you don’t know what is normal for the foreigner. Lesson 6: Neither culture must like what the other does but at least try to understand. We all can agree to disagree and remain civil. Respecting other’s differences is the first step in building a relationship with another culture. Lesson 7: We are products of our own cultural inheritances. Humanity can find a way to live with each other’s differences and be peaceful and respectful. Christianity is coated with humility. Loving kindness bridges the gap between cultures opening doors and windows to communication and sets the stage for evangelistic dialogues. Each dialogue was brief making it easier to read seventy-four conversations. The explanatory statements were excellent. I found myself totally off base in my initial perception of many dialogues. For instance, I thought Dialogue #6 was showed rudeness toward Miss Thomas when Roberto stopped to greet and help Octavio and Rosita. Yet from Roberto’s perspective, it would have been rude if he had continued to help Miss Thomas without acknowledging and helping the others. The ingredients for a successful dialogue were strong points such as: *the conversation must sound natural *the difference or mistake must not be obvious *the mistake must not be a result of some esoteric or small group of people with special knowledge the average reader would never have heard of, and *the conversation should contain clues to the difference When I read the explanatory statement for Dialogue #26, I was reminded of the mindset of most Americans of their love of hierarchy. Most bosses want to keep you in your place. Title seem to be more important. I have noticed this when people meet me, they look at my name tag to determine what it is that I do and whether I am important enough to continue the conversation. Now this same mindset carried over into a conversation with another culture can be potential dynamite. Beware of class systems when communicating with other cultures. I found Dialogue #4 A Nuisance an example of the reflection of the American tongue gone wild. We talk too much! Our social media has developed a nation of talkers with fine lines between rudeness and tact. Our tempers are lost too easily and our tones and mannerisms during speech communications are not welcoming but debatable. List any weaknesses (inaccuracies, inconsistencies, omissions, exaggerations, etc.) This book chose a variety of cultures to highlight. They covered Arab/Middle Eastern, Russian, Mediterranean, Japanese, Indian Hispanic, German, French, English, and Chinese. Although the book covered many nationalities, I was surprised that there was not one dialogue between an American and an African. As an African American I have experienced cultural miscommunication between some African cultures. I encountered an African doctoral student m Ghana who would not discuss his concerns with me because I was a woman. He would only address my boss who was a male. I was initially offended but after the meeting, my boss explained the cultural dynamics for most women in some African cultures. They were not expected to hold certain positions of authority. My boss also explained the cultural difference to the student so that he too would learn that he would have to adapt to our culture to some extent while attending the university in America. On page 115, Storti stated that there are no great American philosophers other than William James. That’s an exaggeration! Is this the same William James that introduced psychology to the United States who is also a Harvard graduate? What about Cornel West. A Princeton graduate and a renown philosopher, author, social activist? What about Thomas Nagel, a Cornell and Harvard graduate and a Professor of Philosophy and Law Emeritus at NYU Law? These men are still alive and have made incredible contributions to American philosophy. Quotes which especially impacted me. “Insensitivity is little more than sensitivity out of its element” (p. 33). You must be able to show compassion and humility to avoid and or reduce insensitivity. As a Christian, humility is a powerful characteristic that combats insensitivity. It fine tunes your compassion radar. I believe that sin has desensitized mankind. Only the love of God can change this fault. Where there is love, there is compassion. Where there is compassion, there is sensitivity to the feelings of others. That is what the Christian missionary is bringing to another culture. Rudyard Kipling’s quote on page 87 states, “What I say is this, and this I do not say to all Englishmen, God made us different – you and I, and your fathers and my fathers. For one thing we have different standards of honesty and speaking the truth. That is not our fault, because we are made so…And look now what you do? You come and judge us by your own standards.” Matthew 7:1 tells us to judge not less we be judged. I take issue with this quote because God made us first in his own image, which was honest. But sin made us dishonest and twist the truth. Neither side can claim purity. We all have sinned and come short so in all fairness, both sides should keep an open mind and attempt to set aside our cultural standards long enough to hear both sides and come to an honorable compromise that encompasses truth. On page 113 Stuart Miller made the statement “No European I have ever met could fully understand or accept the fact that in the United States even an actor can be elected President.” I have to admit that being an actor doesn’t do justice to the former presidents whose credentials were more prestigious. But acting was only one part of his life. He had humble beginnings but he was all American. People could identify with his humble beginnings. He was considered a great communicator On page 129 I appreciate the quote from Cardinal deRetz which stated: “We learn from experience that not everything which is incredible is untrue.” This quote reminds of another quote, “It’s too good to be true.” In Christianity we call something that is so good a blessing! But from a secular worldview, one is automatically suspicious of goodness. Sin breeds distrust. As Christians, we must turn the other cheek while seeking the best attributes of the parties in the cultural dialogue. In conclusion, I would recommend that everyone read this book because it will help you to understand the language of communication in other cultures. It’s a great starter. We live in a diverse world and we should take the time to make sure our daily interactions with the human race are truthful, compassionate and engage others in a matter which facilitates an atmosphere of interest in getting to know one another. We have to exercise our verbal filters so that we do not alienate one another but engage one another so that the dialogue will set the stage for evangelistic conversations. It is important to dismiss your preconceived concepts of others. These are the barriers that hinder positive communications. It won’t be easy because our perceptions of others have been inherited and nurtured by our life experiences, most of the time to the detriment of our own well-being. Sad to say, we in American have trouble dealing with each other. So it will be a challenge to cross over to another culture and see things differently. As Christians, my prayer is that through our continual communication with our heavenly father and the help of the Holy Spirit, we will be able to shift our minds to open, honest communication with others without the baggage of preconceived prejudices. I commend Mr. Storti for his excellent insight into the minds and mouths of a few American and other cultures. I know it may appear that he portrayed Americans as boors. To a certain extent he is right. But let’s not forget that there are boors worldwide! The key is admitting that we have communication issues and persevere until we find adequate solutions. Bibliography Nagel Thomas https://its.law.nyu.edu/facultyprofiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=profile.biography&personid=20156 Storti, Craig https://www.amazon.com/Craig-Storti/e/B001K7PYOY/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1528069981&sr=1-2-ent http://craigstorti.com./index.html West, Cornel http://www.cornelwest.com/ 8