Trevor Craig

Comm-283
TPs Chapter 2
1/10/13
Talking Points:
Most important points:
1. The different ways culture plays an effect on communication can make communication
with other cultures a bit confusing. It is interesting to think how different cultures have different
ways of communication, for example, how people use eye contact. Also, I liked how they said
that cultural differences in how people speak is sort of like an accent, you always think only
other people have them.
2. I found the idea of high and low power distance cultures interesting. In low power
distance cultures you tell people exactly what you mean, but in highs power distance cultures,
you have to be more careful what you say as not to offend anyone. It was interesting to see how
those two cultures had an effect on government ideas.
3. The way that gender roles defines our communication, and the different ways that
societies around the world view men and women was intriguing. There were a lot of things I
wished to know more about.
Discussion Questions:
1. Have you ever seen an example where two different cultures did not understand each
other, due to idioms or gestures, and explain how?
2. When thinking about gender, do you think there should be set roles that men and women
should follow?
3. How might miscommunication happen in a conversation between two people of the
opposite sex?