CrossCultural Communication Conversation Style Pacing Activity PAUSING STYLE

Cross-Cultural Communication Conversation Style & Pacing Activity

PAUSING STYLE: Used by people from more reflective or slower-paced communication cultures. When PERSON A is speaking, PERSON B listens attentively. When PERSON A is finished talking, only then does PERSON B begin to reflect on what he or she said. Person B will maintain silence until reflection concludes. Value idea/statement: “How can I start to respond when I haven’t had time to think about what you said. ” Person A ……. . . Person B ……. . . Person A

TURN-TAKING STYLE: Often used by more fast-paced communicators; Could also be called “take turns” talking When PERSON A is speaking, PERSON B waits until PERSON A completes sentence, and then speaks. Often PERSON B is simultaneously listening and thinking of a response while other person talks. Value idea/statement: “ It wouldn’t be polite to interrupt while you’re speaking. ” Person A Person B

OVERLAPPING STYLE: Overlapping- Interruptive- PERSON A jumps into the middle of PERSON B’s sentence to agree, support what he or she said, or show enthusiasm & vice versa PERSON A jumps into the middle of PERSON B’S sentence to change the subject or move it in a new direction & vice versa. Often used by very fast-paced communicators Sometimes people are talking at same time. Value idea/statement: “How can I resist making the conversation more interesting? ! I have to say something!” Person B Person A

Activity! Groups of 3 or 4 Identify the pattern that YOU most identify with or that you prefer and silently write it down on the post-it.

Objectives & Takeaways Activity designed to (1) introduce three primary patterns of communication pacing that can vary in different cultural groups, (2) identify how people using different styles may perceive one another. Takeaways or considerations: When people are using different patterns of communicating, misperceptions can happen. Recognizing our own cultural patterns and learning about other patterns can help in communicating and suspending judgement. Different approaches to conversations and communication exist and not one is better than another. . Although, cultural groups have preferred behavior/norms/style. Skills & Strategies that can improve cross-cultural communication include: slowing down, developing intercultural empathy (or practicing considering another’s perspective), suspending judgement when encountering difference.