7.2 Emotional Problems--Assuming Similarity数字时代的商务英语写作.pdf

Intercultural CommunicationBarriers Intercultural CommunicationBarriers 7.2EmotionalProblems--Assuming Similarity Inthispart,wewillcontinuetalkingabout another emotionalproblem. First,let’sreviewWangXin’strouble.LearningaboutWangXin’sfeeling, He Lin recommended the effective strategies he used to reduce anxiety anduncertainty when he first encountered hisroommate Jerry.That is,to talk abouthisown lifeon campusandaskJerry abouthislife. Taking He Lin’s advice, Wang Xin became confident of the interaction with Jerry. Harboring some common questions, Wang Xin invited Jerry to a welcome dinner. This time, the dinner went very well with them asking and answering questions a lot. So at the end of the dinner,WangXintook theinitiativeto show Jerry aroundHouhai.During this trip, Wang Xin bought Beijing snacks and beers for Jerry and even paid the taxi to the hotel for Jerry.But when Wang Xin relayed all thisto He Lin in a tone of excitement later, He Lin told him that his warmheartednessdiscomforted Jerry andmadehim very frustrated.Wang Xinwastotally confused. CanyouhelpWangXintofigureoutwhy? In this case,Wang Xin thought he was the host in Beijing and should try every means to extend warm welcome to Jerry, which is a traditional custom ofChinesenation.ButWangXin assumedthat Jerry from another culturewasmore similar tohim andwould feellikeathomereceivingthe intense respect from his Chinese friend. However, Wang Xin neglected thefactthat each cultureisdifferent andunique. The puzzle Wang Xin encountered shows that assuming similarity instead of difference turns out to be another barrier to intercultural interactions,forifapersonassumesthattheemotionsdisplayedbythe peoplefromotherculturesaresimilartothosedisplayedbyhim,hemight think they are lacking emotions or displaying emotions inappropriately whenheseesthosepeoplebehavedifferentlyfromhiminsomesituations. On the other hand, assuming difference instead of similarity can also