Three strategies

Three strategies

By

Anita L. Coles

 

Before I moved to New Mexico I think that I would have to think long and hard about this particular assignment. However, since living in New Mexico I have had to make many adjustments some hard and some not so hard. Because I love meeting people and because I love learning about other cultures, so starting up a conversation with people I don’t know is really part of who I am.

 In fact, my children as they got older would refuse to go to anyway with me such as Wal-Mart because while standing in line if a person smiles or appears to be friendly, or have a baby sitting in their cart I will (if the stranger does not first) strike up a conversation that would many times continue even after our going through checkout.

I have also met many individuals because of my career and or having young children involved in certain activities such as church functions and school sports/activities. I think that I have always assumed that most of the people in which I approach and or came in contact with could see that I am a “nice, friendly, and caring person,” and would they would therefore welcome me with open arms.  however, after reading certain articles such as, “Interpersonal Communication and Diversity Adapting to Others,” (Allyn & Bacon, 2011), I cannot help but to wonder if I could have or should have handle how I have approach a person for the very first time in a different or better manner.

In thinking back on certain situations, and depending on certain individual’s culture I could have come on as being a pushy and or arrogant individual instead of as a friendly individual. The three strategies I could use to help you communicate more effectively with the people or groups:

1.   To begin communication with light talk nothing real serious like politics or religion (Allyn & Bacon, 2011, p. 14).

2.  Instead of trying to find something to talk about in the other person’s culture which I am guilty of and or  trying to avoid talking about my own, culture which I am also guilty of, practice “other oriented  ” (Allyn & Bacon, 2011, p. 15).

3.   Although I believe that it is always a good idea to learn about different cultures I have learn that it is never a smart idea to  assume that what one person practice in a culture that  appears to be the same is the same. That is to say, never assume similarities in fact I think for me it would be much better if I am to assume, to assume that no one person is the same. (Allyn & Bacon, 2011, p. 18).

 

 

Reference

Allyn & Bacon, Inc. (2011). "Interpersonal

     communication and diversity: adapting to others

     85–114. Clearance Center.