The Do’s and Don’ts of Multicultural Communication: Part 2 – The Do’s

Over the past 2 months, I have described the behaviors you should avoid if you want to improve cross-cultural interaction. These 7 Don’ts of multicultural communication include:

1. DON’T talk to anyone in a patronizing manner. 
2. DON’T make assumptions about people. 
3. DON’T assume a culturally different person is an expert about his or her cultural group. 
4. DON’T assume a culturally different person is typical of all of the members of his or her cultural group.
5. DON’T engage in behaviors that single out a culturally different person. 
6. DON’T ask inappropriate questions or engage in inappropriate behaviors. 
7. DON’T try to speak or act like a culturally different person.

Over the next 2 months, I will describe the 7 Do’s of multicultural communication. These are the actions you want to take to improve your ability to communicate across cultural differences. They include:

1. DO demonstrate empathy in all of your interactions.
2. DO be accepting of cultural differences.  
3. DO suspend your judgment.  
4. DO step outside of your comfort zone.  
5. DO seek common ground between yourself and others.
6. DO acknowledge the impact of stereotyping.  
7. DO speak inclusively.  

​Next Post: November 10, 2015 - The 7 Do’s of Multicultural Communication #1