Introduction
Perceptions of a nation are often influenced by stereotypes and predictable aspects that belong to one or another country. Depending on them, a basic idea of the culture of a people and its influence on global trends is constructed. The same applies to members of the Spanish ethnic group. It is one of the most important in the history of all ethnic groups, and in many ways, its influence is underestimated. Thus, despite the equality of people worldwide, some occupy a more popular and advanced place in the hierarchy. This paper will focus on showing the importance of the Spanish ethnic group and talking about it, referring to different aspects of culture and tradition.
How The Spanish Culture Views and Practices Communication
First of all, when writing this paper, it is necessary to consider also the views of this culture on certain things. Each country sees the same life events or religious opinions differently. The most famous cultural difference is the Feast of Death, which is traditionally held at the beginning of November. Unlike other countries and cultures where the death of a person is the saddest and most morally overwhelming event, for members of this ethnic group, the commemoration of the deceased is a holiday. This is mainly due to religious beliefs and a specific belief in the afterlife. There are a vast number of such aspects, and the Feast of Death is only one of the most striking examples. In addition, it is essential to take into account the fact that despite the ignorance of such aspects, they play a considerable part in communication with the representative of the ethnic group.
In order to create a dialogue that would benefit both parties, every feature, and cultural specificity must be taken into account, since above all, when creating a new conversation, the co-participants are guided by them and create an image of the person based on their understanding of the cultural context (Fuller, 2017). Thus, one can conclude that ignorance of a person’s ethnic specificities makes it impossible to establish contact and, consequently, to communicate in a productive or friendly way. Spanish culture uses active gesticulation and active discussion in its communication. It is important to keep this in mind when communicating with this culture, as it may seem like an unusual method of communication to a modest person. Therefore, the primary strategy, in this case, is to study the cultural characteristics of the representative of the Spanish ethnic group and to impose interest in this aspect. In addition to this, it is also essential to clarify specific points that may seem to be moot or controversial from the point of view of cultural exchange. Other communication strategies include indifference and pretense.
Strategies for Communication with the Spanish Cultural Group
The main assumptions in communication can be the active conditioning of any of the topics. This also results in the prejudice that all Spaniards are too active and focus on details rather than on the story or the discussion of the problem. Both are inappropriate for many reasons, one of which is that they are ineffective. As a nurse, it is necessary to adhere to such characteristics and to support the patient in any way (Fuller, 2017). Even a casual conversation can cheer a person up and give them the strength to continue their treatment. This cultural characteristic is still actively used and is considered to be effective not only when dealing with the Spanish ethnic group but also with others.
Barriers to Communication with the Spanish Cultural Group
The main barrier to fruitful and necessary communication can be the use of the wrong strategy. This method is one of the most common and only allows the cultural layer of a person of another ethnicity to be fully revealed. In many ways, he feels oppressed and depressed, negatively affecting even a healthy person, not to mention patients in a hospital who need special attention and understanding of their needs (Donovan, 2022). Remember, one of the problems in communication can be misunderstandings based on different languages and gestures. Many countries use a variety of verbal and nonverbal expressions to show their emotions or to emphasize the importance of what is being said. In this regard, it is also essential to keep in mind that a nurse’s job requires her to act quickly and provide first aid in any emergency. If there is poor communication or misunderstanding with the patient, this can lead to significant health and life problems for the patient (Bernardo et al., 2018). Speaking specifically about the Spanish group, it has the same roots as other countries in terms of cultural exchange and gestural apparatus. Therefore, having knowledge of the cultures of other nations is as important as the treatment and care itself. Nurses have to find common ground in unresolved situations and intervene even though there are significant differences in culture and ethnicity. The main obstacle for the nurse in this case is prejudice and stereotypes against members of this ethnic group. To overcome this, it is necessary to pay more attention to communication practices and act professionally rather than on the basis of personal thoughts.
Conclusion
In sum, despite the significant number of peoples and countries with specific knowledge and characteristics, knowing each is essential in nursing. Hispanic culture is multilayered and requires special attention because this nation is very expressive and respects the culture of its people, and knows how to stand up for them. There are also significant cultural differences between American and European cultures, which is vital to keep in mind when treating patients. Showing interest and empathy for the culture of the Spanish ethnic group has a positive effect on the development of relationships and adaptation to the new system of life and treatment, which positively impacts on the end result.
References
Bernardo, A. B. I., Levy, S. R., & Lytle, A. E. (2018). Culturally relevant meanings of the protestant work ethic and attitudes towards poor Ppersons. The Spanish Journal of Psychology, 21. Web.
Donovan, S. (2022). The Hispanic American experience. Twenty-First Century Books.
Fuller, J. M. (2017). Spanish speakers in the USA. Multilingual Matters.