Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
One idea that caught my attention after watching this video was “the impact that cultural misunderstandings can have on our relationships with others”. I have personally experienced this in my school, where my classmate was from a different culture and direct communication was not valued as much as it is in my own culture. He tended to be more indirect in his communication style, and would often use hints rather than giving clear instructions. At first, I found this communication style frustrating and confusing. I didn’t understand why he wasn’t being more direct, and I felt like I was constantly trying to read between the lines to figure out what he wanted. However, as I learned more about his cultural background, I began to understand why he communicated in the way that he did. I realized that in his culture, it was considered impolite to be too direct and that using hints and suggestions was a way of showing respect. Once I understood this, I was able to adjust my communication style and adapt to his communication style. Our working relationship improved significantly, and we were able to interact more effectively as a result. This experience taught me the importance of recognizing and respecting cultural differences, even when they may be frustrating or difficult to understand at first. By taking the time to learn about and appreciate different cultural perspectives, people can build stronger relationships with others.
Elakadi's Mechanical Mind 