Profession Comm. 8

Unit VIII

Lesson 2: Cultural Barriers

Introduction

When communicating across cultures, there are always multiple opportunities to demonstrate a

professional image. However, cultural barriers can easily prevent an employee from doing his or

her best job. One must understand that many issues might arise as two cultures interact that

potentially block progress, and employees must know how to avoid or overcome such barriers.

There are multiple communication barriers arising from gender, age, and social distance. As we

communicate with people of other cultures, we must learn about these barriers and how to handle

situations when these barriers arise.

This lesson focuses on some of those barriers that often arise because of gender, age, and social

distance.

Gender Roles

Society generally sets norms for how men and women should behave and dress. Every co-culture

determines very specific gender roles that are acceptable among its members. Barriers arise when

these roles are violated.

Removing gender barriers in the workplace will ensure equal participation by women in our

work environments and eliminate discrimination based on gender.

Men and women think differently and act differently according to many researchers. In his book,

Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, John Gray (1992) acknowledges the differences

between how men and women think and handle situations. By understanding these differences,

we can avoid difficult situations that inevitably arise in the workplace.

Men and women are also treated differently in the workplace. Women have to overcome subtle

barriers that often prevent them from reaching their goals. A study shared in the Harvard

Business Review in 2013 stated that while women held 53% of entry level jobs, only 19% were

included in executive management (“Women in the Workplace,” 2013).

In April 2015, the Institute for Women’s Policy Research published a study by Hegewisch and

Ellis that provided data showing 116 occupations in which women generally earned less than

men. Additionally, the study showed that female-heavy jobs tend to pay less than male-heavy

jobs which were at the same skill level. Salary issues still remain a major barrier for women in

the workplace today.

In a study published by the Harvard Business Review, Ibarra, Carter, and Silva (2010) noted that

men and women are mentored differently. Men tend to receive mentors from senior management

while women have mentors from lower in the organization. Thus, according to the study, men

benefit from their mentoring relationships much more than women do in the way of promotions.

Age Barriers

The following age barriers can prevent older and younger professionals from producing to the

best of their abilities:

Older professionals can have a difficult time maintaining and finding employment because of

their lack of technological skills. Many of their coworkers between the ages of 25 and 45 may be

promoted over them because of this common lack of the adaptation of aspects of modern

technology.

Another barrier that affects older professionals occurs when employers believe it is not

worthwhile to retrain them, especially in new technologies. While some people do not respond

well to retraining, there are a substantial number of older employees who welcome the

opportunity to learn new ways of working.

Alternatively, professionals below the age of 25 may have a difficult time obtaining leadership

positions because they are perceived as not having sufficient experience. Their ideas might be

given little consideration by their supervisors because their vision of a product or a service may

not be obvious to a supervisor who does not have the same access to new technologies.

Social distance

Proxemics makes reference to the space or distance between people (Hall, 1966). In general,

people do not think of their distance from another person unless they come into contact with

someone who uses distance differently. Barriers arise when cultural rules regarding social

distance are violated.

There are differing rules among cultures and co-cultures globally regarding social distance.

Understanding these differences can help employees avoid barriers to communicating with

others when they attend meetings, meet in social business settings, or move to a new country.

Hall (1966) proposed four ways that we regard social distance in Western cultures. His theory

supports the way we approach each other as we interact in those Western cultures.

When we are out walking or jogging, we tend to ensure there is some distance between us and

other people. Hall (1966) called this the public zone and believed that a distance of 12 feet

was considered nonthreatening in most Western cultures. In particular cultures, people expect

you to stay at some distance from them. One can easily observe how people are interacting in

public and the workplace. While out for a stroll, notice that some people step aside if another

person gets too close to them while, in some cultures, people tend to walk elbow to elbow

with others and seem oblivious to those jostling them, even coming in contact with their

shoulders and arms.

In a social setting, we will often find ourselves conversing in groups or to an audience.

According to Hall (1966), most of us will feel comfortable standing or sitting approximately 4

to 10 feet from another person. This is known as the social zone. While addressing a group of

people, we often use a podium or stand behind a table to put some distance between a speaker

and the group. Most speakers want to be close enough so that they do not have to shout at

their audience.

When speaking with friends, most of the time, we will stand or sit much closer. Hall (1966)

sets this distance at approximately 1.5 to 4 feet and labels this distance the personal zone.

When conversing with friends or at work, speaking with coworkers or supervisors, we will

often be much closer, although, there must still be some space between us.

When very close to someone else, such as an intimate friend or family member, we may stand

very close and may even touch each other. This is called the intimate zone, and Hall (1966)

sets this zone at 0 to 1.5 feet. Most want to be close to family and friends as they

communicate verbally and nonverbally.

In Eastern cultures, social distance in the public zone is regarded differently. It is often necessary

to research specific cultures to know how close to stand next to another person and, if you are

male, whether or not you can even stand next to a woman in public.

In some South American and Central American cultures, it is normal to stand very close to

another person when speaking. The public zone and the social zone seem to be nonexistent, and

the personal zone is used most of the time.

Knowing about specific cultural attitudes toward social distance can help visitors or employees

as they interact professionally and socially among the different peoples of the world.

Check for Understanding

(Answer Key is found after Review.)

1. Which of the following is NOT identified in this unit as a cultural barrier? a) Knowledge of the culture’s history

b) Gender roles

c) Social distance

2. It has been proven a myth and prejudice that women and men think differently. a) True b) False

3. Which of the following is a common age barrier? a) The fact that someone dyes their hair to cover their grays. b) When an older worker cannot or does not have the technological skills required.

4. Which of the following is TRUE about proxemics—the study of the distance people prefer when in social settings?

a) The distance people prefer between themselves is learned and cultural, something that varies widely between cultures.

b) The distance people prefer between themselves is largely personal and a function of personality, whether a person is introverted or extroverted.

5. Based on the types of cultural barriers discussed in this lesson, which of the following would also be a potential social barrier?

a) Eye contact b) Favorite foods c) Pets

Review

1. When communicating across cultures, you must learn how to overcome communication barriers that might arise.

2. Communication barriers can arise because of cultural differences regarding gender in the workplace.

3. Older professionals can have a difficult time maintaining and finding employment because of their lack of technological skills.

4. Understanding cultural attitudes toward social distance can help you to interact professionally and socially among different cultures.

Answer Key

1. A - While a knowledge of any culture’s history will certainly help a visitor or resident worker fit in better in a variety of ways, specifically, this unit addresses gender roles and

social distance.

2. B – False - Many studies demonstrate conclusively that there are distinct differences between the way men and women think and communicate. Being aware of this fact is

essential to avoiding prejudice when dealing with a mixed sex workforce.

3. B - When an older worker cannot use the most up-to-date technology, he or she is very quickly judged negatively and seen not only as not fitting in but even as a handicap to the

workforce.

4. A - All cultures have established distances between people in social settings, and deviating from them can make people very upset.

5. A - Like social distance, eye contact varies between cultures with some cultures expecting eye contact and equating it with honesty while other cultures see eye contact as

offensive and aggressive.

References

Gray, J. (1992). Men are from Mars, women are from Venus. New York, NY: Harper Collins.

Hall, E.T. (1966). The hidden dimension. New York, NY: Doubleday.

Hegewisch, A., & Ellis, E. (2015, April). The gender wage gap by occupation 2014 and by race

and ethnicity. Retrieved from http://www.iwpr.org/publications/pubs/the-gender-wage-gap- by-occupation-2014-and-by-race-and-ethnicity

Ibarra, H., Cater, N. M., & Silva, C. (2010, September). Why men still get more promotions than

women. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2010/09/why-men-still- get-more-promotions-than-women/ar/1

Women in the workplace: A research roundup. (2013, September). Harvard Business Review.

Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2013/09/women-in-the-workplace-a-research-roundup