There are many countries and nations in the world, and each has its traditions and norms. Due to the unprecedented level of globalization, people frequently interact with individuals from different cultures at work or in other social settings. Therefore, understanding the customs and culture of the people you engage with is crucial for effective communication.
Firstly, misunderstandings and conflicts may occur between people if they are unfamiliar with each other’s cultures. For instance, whereas being late by an hour and a half is standard in Saudi Arabia, it is considered disrespectful in the US. As a result, in such circumstances, Americans may mistakenly interpret being late as being impolite and get offended. Hence why understanding the nuances of foreign ethics is necessary.
Secondly, recognizing others’ cultural norms is essential in comprehending the context of communication. Context is the meaning of the actions taking place between the sides. It is widespread to divide cultures into low context and high context. The American society, where precision is highly valued, is an example of a low-context culture. Saudi Arabia is an example of a high-context society, where communication focuses more on deep context than clarity. Therefore, American citizens could find many Saudi Arabian communication patterns meaningless. For instance, Saudi Arabian people like discussing various subjects unrelated to the issue to develop a strong relationship with a companion, while many Americans may consider this irrelevant.
In conclusion, it is vital to learn the customs of other nations because it ensures effective communication.