The Salad Bowl Recipe - Hacking Intercultural Communication

Space speaks volumes

Social distancing - a word that has gained immense value this pandemic. But I was wondering how for some cultures it must have been easier than others to adopt this concept in their life. Communication experts have time and again emphasized the importance of non-verbal communication which actually set things straight about what the intention of the communicator actually is. Certain things are understood as they say - what it really means is that certain things are comprehended by means of non-verbal cues - subtle but way more impactful. Episode 5 looks at how space, an underestimated aspect of culture plays an important role in intercultural communication. Maintaining space in different cultures not only differs but also tells a lot about the relations in a particular culture. We also look at various cultural ways of apologising and saying goodbye.

Let's talk time

Episode 4 is going to explore chronemics. Chronemics or time is perceived differently in various cultures around the world. An interculturally competent person will not only value time but value the meaning of time in another culture which is not his own. Does culture play a role in the concept of multitasking too ? Tune into Episode 4 and you will get your answer !

What you thought you knew

When was the last time you wanted to refuse something and said No directly? Maybe never? Maybe all the time? Believe it or not your culture unconsciously seeps into how direct or indirect you are in your communication styles. Episode 3 dives into the contexts that define different cultures in the salad bowl coupled with an exciting series of revelations from different guests about all those things that you assumed you knew about different cultures. Tune into Episode 3 for more !

Culture Goals of the Salad Bowl

Every salad bowl is outlined by its own unique features. Some salads have more greens and some have only two veggies. Every bowl has certain goals in terms of its taste, look and ingredients. Episode 2 of the Salad Bowl Recipe looks at mainly two elements of culture - how attached are cultures to tradition and their past and how much gravity does competition, drive and success hold in their bowl !

What's in the culture bowl?

Welcome to the Salad Bowl class folks! In this episode we begin with understanding what is culture in the first place. Every recipe has a secret ingredient and in this one you will be introduced to the secret ingredient of the culture bowl. Shocks and differences are a part and parcel of cultural integration but with the right attitude you can easily feel like one in that salad bowl - check out how, as a guest shares her conversation with a cultural exchange student! And remember that you have to make the Salad to hack it !