Communicating with different cultures

On any given day, I can meet 2 to 3 families looking for childcare; my program is located in a very diverse area, ranging from low-income families, culturally diverse families and families with different gender preferences.

As I meet families of different cultures I find myself re-programming my brain.  Something in my thought process kicks in and I actively tell myself that I need to be thoughtful in my language usage, phrasing and tone.  This is especially true when I hear families speak with an accent.  I want to make sure that I am being understood and that the message I am relaying about my program is received effectively.  The hardest part of the process is remaining neutral and coming across as sincere, rather than someone who is trying too hard to impress a family so as to enroll in my program.  I really do believe in my program and that is the message I want families to come away with.  I do slow myself down a bit, and I ask more questions rather than putting all the information out there.  I also find myself pausing, giving families room to not only process what I am saying, but to be comfortable enough to ask questions. 

In addition to these techniques, I do engage the family in conversation asking about where they are from, do they have family nearby, is this the first time in childcare and if it is their first experience, I inquire about who has been caring for their child.” On some subtle way I am engaging in the platinum rule, trying to put myself in the place of the parents, trying to understand not only their needs, but trying to understand their perspective as it pertains to child care.  The entire process is more of building a trusting interactive relationship rather than focusing on the marketing and selling of the program.  I “use “small talk”…and other low-level disclosures to build a relationship” (Beebe, Beebe, & Redmond, 2011). 

Prior to this course, I did not have a definition for my communication actions, however I am able to say I am developing my skills as an intercultural communicator, adapting my behavior toward what is appropriate to the other person’s culture.  I seek to gain information about families I am meeting, trying to make connections to families.  I work hard to refine my interpersonal skills to overcome barriers that make us culturally different (Beebe, et al., 2011), focusing rather on finding common ground.  As this process evolves I am aware that my behavior has to change and modify for new situations as they arise so I therefore actively try to come up with additional skills to utilize in my communication repertoire, building an arsenal of resources and tools for the many different people I will come in contact with. 

I communicate differently in the following ways -

I slow myself down a bit, quieting my thoughts and allowing for parents to respond

I engage the family in questions as they pertain to their cultural background 

I keep myself motivated for the new situations I may encounter, having deep appreciation for all that is different. 

References

Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Redmond, M. V. (2011). Interpersonal communication: Relating to others (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.