People from different ethnic groups have different manners, customs, and behavior. Transmitted from generation to generation, the language, a system of spiritual values, the modes of behavior, and the attitude towards the world determine the psychological portrait of a person. Self-identity gives an individual the awareness of belonging to the particular ethnic group, encouraging him/her to experience the identity with one ethnic community and separation from others. This paper aims to examine my cultural identity and communication style and their influence upon the communication with others.
My Communication Style
My dominant communication style was determined as systematic. Although I was not aware of this, it is a style that I use most often. The test helps me to realize that communication style involves not only a person’s ability to exchange information with others but also my body language and the ability to organize my personal space. Systematic people are objective and accurate, always trying to rely on facts, not emotions. I try to focus on the data that helps me to resolve different problems. I like to work in an organized team with the task-oriented people. However, I prefer independent work because I hate interruptions and like silence. My ethnic peculiarities impose me to have face-to-face meetings with people. I consider such meetings to be more efficient than the formal ones where people should adhere to the business rules and subordination. During informal discussions, people may share their ideas and thoughts more easily than during business meetings. In this concern, I remember an accident at my school when during my first exam on geography I could not say a word to the commission. However, when the teacher asked me several questions in the informal environment, I demonstrated excellent knowledge on the subject.
In China, men are engaged in housekeeping, and in some Chinese provinces, men babysit their children, while women work in the field at this time. Admittedly, I was raised by my father and have a more close relationship with him than with my mother. According to the Chinese traditions, women should not be confined to a narrow circle of “women’s affairs” and family responsibilities rather they can choose the activities that interest them. Consequently, I support these values and believe finding a reasonable place in society.
The Problem of Self-Identity
Self-identity is a kind of stability of an individual based on his or her social, cultural, and national parameters, which allows identifying who the person is. The problem of identity involves the formation of personal beliefs about himself as a member of society. Cultural identity induces a sense of self-identity which allows determining a person’s place in the transnational space. Many theorists emphasize that identity assumes awareness of a real place in the natural and social world, carrying out the boundaries between “their” and “foreign”. Self-identity determines the circle of persons with whom they are connected and opposed to. The highest value in the process of identity formation has the cultural and psychological factors.
My Cultural Background
I am a Chinese girl, born and raised in China who has been in America for a year. I was raised according to my national values based on the respect for elders, responsiveness, diligence, and others. I believe in the prevalence of personal and family-group interests over the public. Confucianism has established a strict hierarchy in my family and society. I realize the significance of the intragroup relations that are based not so much on the legal rules and regulations but rather on the national traditions, customs, habits, and feelings.
One of my most important features is the values orientation. Therefore, a strong inner discipline is an important category which in many respects has determined my character and the rules of conduct.
In general, the sense of duty to my family has always forced me to bridle my passions and desires. Therefore, in the relationships with my family and society I had to follow the Chinese stereotype of behavior, e. g. controlling my feelings, restraining my emotions and subordinating them to the established norms. According to my traditions, I have always maintained my reputation in the eyes of others by any means. Peculiarities of my cultural background involve the ability to be content with little, if necessary, to adapt quickly to the new conditions, entrepreneurship, perseverance, stoicism, and organization.
Rationale for My Cultural Identity and Communication Style
There are significant differences in the communication styles between the cultures. Representatives of the individualistic Western cultures pay more attention to the content of the message. Therefore, their communication style is characterized by the exchange of information in which considerable requirements are fluency, accuracy, use concepts, and propositional logic. Representatives of such cultures tend to develop their language skills. This type of communication is characteristic of the American culture. On the contrary, during the transmission of information in the Chinese culture, people tend to pay more attention to the form of communication rather than what is said. My arrival to the USA has encouraged me to develop the ways to enhance the relationship and interdependence with American people and culture. As a result, becoming more and more interconnected does not mean to lose my cultural diversity. In the context of these trends, it becomes increasingly important to me to be able to determine the cultural characteristics of American people to understand each other and achieve mutual recognition.
In my life, the process of communication plays a vital role. Therefore, I try to create relationships with other people regardless of their ethnicity. In the literature, the term “communication” is understood as the exchange of ideas and information in the form of written or verbal signals. In turn, the word “communication” refers to the process of exchange of ideas, information, and emotional experiences between people. Thus, in the process of communication, I tend to allocate a contact with others as well as to influence others in a certain way. Since communication is a social process due to the exchange of thoughts and feelings between people in different areas of their life, I try to develop contacts with other people in various environments such as school, work, community, and so on. Admittedly, the effectiveness of my communication depends on my communication style.
The reflection of my cultural background and unique constitution as a communicator, help me better understand myself and others. My Chinese origin allows me to communicate with two cultures empowering myself with the new experience. Self-identity gives me the sense of belonging to a particular ethnic group, encouraging to experience the identity with one ethnic community and separation from others. However, due to my systematic communication style, I am accurate and objective in the interaction with others that allows me to develop perfect relationships.
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Lack of appropriate communication makes your message weakened or obscure and generates the reverse idea about you on others which can change your business very negatively.
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You can also use it to send attachments such as documents, spreadsheets or images.
It is usually less helpful if an important response is required, although a follow-up email as a written record of a phone conversation is usually desirable.
Email is usually a reliable method to ask a question or deliver a message quickly while remaining formal and keeping an accurate record.
