Culture's Influencs on Communication Style

Whether we realize it or not, the way that we communicate with others has been a total of all that we have learned and the way that we perceive it. People's cultural upbringing conjures up different images, attitudes, and behaviors. Cultural beliefs, values, norms, and practices all influence communication. This analysis will describe examples of how culture’s can influence communication styles and patterns.

Of all the world's living cultures, Greece's is among the most ancient with 98 percent of its population sharing an ethnic identity, as well as a strong Greek Orthodox religious tradition. Cultural beliefs are the commonly held norms and moral standards of a culture, the standards of right and wrong that set expectations for behavior. These beliefs are usually rooted in the culture's symbolic inheritance and include the roles that are appropriate for particular persons. (Pearson Prentice Hall, 2010) Greece’s rich culture has developed through thousands of years. The earliest known belief in the “matiasma” also known as “the evil eye” began in Greece. In Greek theology, the evil eye is considered harmful for the one whose envy inflicts it on others as well as for the sufferer. “In addition to the use of evil eye amulets, the Greeks carry incense or the cross as protection against the evil eye.” (Jewish Gift Place, 2014) It is rather interesting that the concept of the evil eye still has such a powerful influence in modern life, jewelry design and even pop culture. Religion is essential to life in Greece and plays a role in the respect that the people have for hierarchy and their view of the family as a single unit of strength. Family is viewed as the basis for the Greek social structure and often carries over to business. Th...

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...g without any need for a handshake. (5 Chinese Culture Taboos List - Things to Avoid While in China, 2007-2011) These social practices can be quite confusing for the average American. There culture’s social practices influence communication style on a daily basis.

In conclusion in Greek theology, the evil eye is considered harmful, in Mexico machismo is still an ongoing problem, in Rwandan culture it is a norm for men to hold hands in public without necessarily being deemed homosexual and in Chinese culture it is taboo to hug a member of the opposite sex. This analysis described a few examples of how culture’s can influence communication styles and pattern beginning from the communities stand point all the way down to the individual. We should embrace diversity and strive to understand each other without losing our cultures all for hope of a more harmonious world.