Yes,
I do communicate differently with people from different groups and cultures.
Depending on who I am speaking, I tend to use different language, tones, and
content. If I am speaking with my family I can say I am myself, I speak fast
and loud and use humor all the time. My entire family is like this, we know
each other and humor is a big part of our culture. If I am speaking with
someone older than myself I tend to be more respectful, I try to be quieter and
I may not use as much humor. When I am speaking with someone here where I live
now, I tend to use words that I would not normally use. After being here for
almost 20 years I have found that people respond to me better if I use words
like y’all and ma’am. Even without a southern accent, they respond to me as if
I have lived here all my life. When I am working, I do use humor with the people
I have worked with for many years; they know me and know that humor is a huge
part of my personality. Sometimes when I don’t make a joke about something they
ask if everything is ok; it is just expected of me now which makes me feel good
because they know that about me. When speaking to others from other cultures, I
just try to listen and be understanding, I may not use humor often because I do
not want them to misunderstand or think I am not taking them seriously, unless
they get to know me, then I will joke with them. When I am talking with my children I will use humor with them also and I will use slang words that I hear them use. They laugh, especially if I did not use the word correctly, which is most of the time.
Hi Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteI too communicate differently depending on groups and culture. Like you, I talk loudly and use humor with family and friends. I think that it is important to be able to listen and adjust our language and nonverbal behaviors when communicating with people from different groups and cultures. Doing so shows that we appreciate and respect others and their efforts to communicate with us.
Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteI loved reading about how you communicate different across a wide range of groups and cultures. I am amazed how much communication can be adapted and modified to help fit the needs of the situation. However, one must know how to successful do this, otherwise communication may be ineffective. It sounds, however, that you have a good handle on what communication skills or styles fit specific contexts. I think it;s great that you can be flexible in how you communicate, which goes to show that you are an effective communicator. Thanks for sharing!
Erin
I agree the distention of language is an important part of relationships. Different forms of language are utilized with different individuals. I too find my self altering speech, verbal cues, tone, and pitch depending on the group and setting.
ReplyDeleteIt seems as if we are most comfortable communicating with those we've known the longest (with family being the very 1st on the list). This is me all day everyday....super shy when I first meet someone but as I get to know you, I open up more. It's amazing how the way in which we communicate varies depending on different factors such as, the person, time, culture, background, gender, age, etc. Maybe this is where our multiple personalities come from (lol). I can switch it up in a heartbeat! :)
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