Watching Movies to Hone Your Cross-Cultural Skills

Usually I’m calling out films for perpetuating stereotypes about other cultures, but movies also can be a gift–a window offering deep insights into other cultures.  In fact, in studying Comparative Literature as an undergrad at Indiana University, the arts (literature, visual arts, film, music, dance, etc.) were all evaluated via the lens of the society…

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Swapping Races to Reveal Unconscious Bias and Privilege

  I need to go take a shower. I just caught myself talking to my husband’s kindly Indian colleague over the phone like he was an idiot, plus I read this article by Tim Wise “Imagine if the Tea Party Was Black,” and realized I am guilty. (This is a must read!) One, because looking…

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Five Questions for @cmcilwain About Teaching Kids About Race

Intercultural Talk was delighted to catch up with Dr. Charlton McIlwain following his ‘appearance’ on DoctorRadio on Sirius/XM Radio earlier this week, talking about “Teaching Kids about Race.”  1.  What are the top three pointers you have for parents when teaching kids about race? 1. Be willing to talk to your kids about race. 2.…

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Intercultural Communications + Inclusion + Improvisation = Action

This may look like I accidentally posted a private e-mail to my blog. I won’t deny it, I really do want to introduce artist Chris Jordan, author of Running the Numbers to Brenda at Kinship Circle  (and to Janet at SHARK). But it’s really about Intercultural Communications. Intercultural communications looks at our similarities and differences, evaluating…

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Assume Good Intentions in Cross-Cultural Communications? Sometimes Impossible

My colleague was conducting a training during a “train the trainer” session this week on Intent and Impact, the idea being that in communications, sometimes our Intent does not equal the Impact we intended.  For example: “That sweater you’re wearing is really interesting” (intended as compliment).  Unexpected impact:  “You hate it don’t you?” (Spontaneous reaction: …

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3 Things Guaranteed to Alienate When Speaking Across a Langague Barrier

In today’s multicultural world (depending on where you live) it is common to engage with people for whom English is not their first language.  While sometimes the interaction may be casual, with not much at stake, other times business deals, potential sales or enduring relationships may be at stake. Here are three tips to spoil the…

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Australia Meets Tokyo in English Language Ad for Lipton Ice Tea in France

  It’s Hugh Jackman, who’s Australian.   It takes place at a hotel in Tokyo.   The voice over at the end is in English.  But apparently it’s made for…France?  That’s the only part I don’t get about this delightful Lipton Ice Tea spot, “Tokyo Dancing Hotel” by DDB Paris. In the world of multicultural marketing and global…

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