When you speak face-to-face with other human beings, their senses are taking in what you look like and how you sound. You don’t really know what the other person is feeling, his/her pasts or values. You can only guest unless you check out the facts.
- Pre-judgement can be a useful skill which helps you to categorize the many people you meet. Sometimes it can be accurate but it can also be very wrong.
Here are the tips on how to improve your understanding of others:
- When meeting someone for the first time, resist making your mind up about him/her too soon
- Listen to the person actively and be interested in what he or she has to say
- Don’t be too influenced by first impressions, avoid stereotyping people based on their accent and physical appearance
- Be aware that people behave differently in different situations, just as you do
- Avoid looking favorably on people just because they come from the same town, social class, ethnic as you do
- Try to make more on the positive rather than the negative points
- Judge others after you have heard what they say
In cross culture communications, it is better to be regarded as formal and more polite, rather than be regarded as unmannered.
Special tip : If you are not getting the responses you want from others, change your approach. Mind you that communication is more than words.
(Source : Interpersonal Skills, Astrid French)