This web poster by Kartik brings forth some really important issues in cross cultural communication between the U.S. and India. The introduction was especially catchy as it showed a picture of a handshake and provided possible ways of interpreting a handshake. I never thought about and I had always thought a handshake was just a handshake - but as I learned from the web poster, it can mean much more. The discussion on the differences between individualist and collectivist cultures was especially interesting and useful. With all the jobs that are being outsourced to India, this web poster is especially relevant to the business world today. Kartik's web poster has increased my awareness of the differences between the American and Indian cultures. A successful manager must be able to understand and adapt as well as manage conflict in these cultures.
I thought Kartik's web poster also provided interesting suggestions for further research. The fact that Kartik already has experience in both cultures makes this web poster stronger. I really enjoyed reading this poster and I learned a lot from it.
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Nonverbal communication is often the area where intercultural exchanges go wrong. What a gesture or other nonverbal behavior means in one culture may carry a very different meaning in another. Successful organizations do extensive training in intercultural communication before sending their employees to other countries for business talks and negotiations. Intercultural communication is one area where the U.S. public schools could do better. Most school systems in other countries include courses and information about nations other then their own. U.S. educational content tends to be American-centric.
I am suddenly reminded of an Indian-Canadian comedian by the name of Russell Peters. He once did a stand up comedy commenting on the different cultural gestures that can be interpreted negatively by another culture. The first example was a hand that was pucked so that all the finger tips touched and face towards the sky. You would then bring this hand in an up and down motion. He joked that in India it meant "Do you want to eat" but in Italy it meant "What the F*?" The next example was that Indians might be offended by an American wedding because rice is seen as a diet staple and food is never to be wasted, so Indians may be appalled as to why everyone would throw food at the bride and groom.
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