We do, however, feel it important that in intercultural matters you view compro-
mise as a positive course of action, rather than a negative choice. In the U.S. domi-
nant culture, compromise is frequently associated with losing or giving up. But in
other cultures, compromise is a normal approach to conflict. A good example of
this was provided by a Japanese friend who told us that the best solution to a
disagreement is when“both sides have to cry a little.”We are not saying that you
always have to“cry a little,”but we do suggest that you approach intercultural
conflict with an open mind rather than a win–lose perspective. Take the time to
consider the other party’s perception of the situation, the importance of the issue,
and the possible reaction to your response. In other words, try to develop sensitivity
to cultural differences and how they may affect interaction. In some cases, finding a
middle ground or even accepting the situation may be the best way. However, situa-
tions will likely arise where personal feel-
ings, attitudes, beliefs, and values will
place you in an uncompromising position.
When those situations arise, we suggest
that you make your position clear to the
other participants in a clear and sincere
manner.Communication Is Not the Universal Solution
Personal experience has no doubt already taught you that there are many situations in
life where no amount of talk can assuage bruised emotions, clarify mistakes, or erase
hard feelings. Yet there exists an overabundance of self-help videos, celebrity motiva-
tional experts, and books on interpersonal relations that expound the virtues of com-
munication as a solution to and panacea for what plagues the individual and society.
Although we readily grant that communication is a valuable tool for resolving numer-
ous interpersonal difficulties, we need to make it clear early in our book that commu-
nication cannot solve all problems. In fact, there are even occasions when
communication may actually worsen the situation. Wood, in the following paragraph,
joins us in warning you about the false hope often granted to communication:
Yet it would be a mistake to think communication is a cure-all. Many problems can’tbe
solved by talk alone. Communication by itself won’t end hunger, abuses of human rights
around the globe, racism, intimate partner violations, or physical diseases.^48
You have probably already realized that it is not unusual to encounter situations
where the participants have irreconcilable differences. And this occurs not only at
the interpersonal level but also through all strata of society, including relations
between nations. These unfortunate situations can lead to alienation and even armed
conflict.
Our intent in offering these five warnings about the study of intercultural commu-
nication is not to dampen your enthusiasm for the topic. Rather, our objective is to
alert you to some of the potential problems facing anyone who takes on a topic as
large and complex as intercultural communication. However, now that we have
offered these admonitions, we are ready to begin the process of helping you improve
interactions with people of cultures different from your own.REMEMBER THIS
“All government, indeed every human benefit and enjoyment,
every virtue, and every prudent act, is founded on compromise
and barter.”Edmund Burke22 CHAPTER 1•Intercultural Communication: A Requirement for the Interdependent Global Society
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