跨文化交际结课论文

跨文化交际结课论文

The difference of humor in business

院校：国际教育学院

专业：英语

姓名：李春果

学号： 201220323

The difference of humor in business

摘要

随着世界经济的发展，各国之间的交流愈来愈频繁。跨文化交际成为一种社会趋势，交际的深入，不同文化之间的差异也日益凸显。因此，必须了解不同文化的差异，熟悉彼此礼仪上的区别，对促进彼此的友好关系至关重要。在跨文化交际中，幽默作为一种重要的商务礼仪，在国际谈判中发挥着日益重要的作用。由于中西方在文化上的不同, 使得各自的幽默点也存在很大的分歧。本文将重点讨论中西方在幽默方面的差异以及在跨文化交际中幽默的使用技巧，为今后跨文化商务交际提供更加有利的条件。

Abstract

With the development of economy in the world, the communications between countries become more and more frequent. Gradually, due to countries communicate deeply, intercultural communication becomes a social tendency. But the difference of various cultures is also growing. Thus, we should recognize the difference in different cultures，distinguish the characteristics of culture in communication. It’s very important to prove the relationships of each other. Humor as an important etiquette, play an important role in intercultural business communication. Because of the different culture in Chinese and Western, it leads to different humor. This paper will discuss the difference of humor and techniques of employing humor in

international business, the purpose is to create a more positive condition for later.

Key words: humor；difference；techniques; culture; business communication

Humor, a word comes from the Latin word “humor”, it in ancient Greece is a physiological terms, it is to point to “fluid”. The Greek doctor Hippocrates thinks, the person’s health and different type of temperament depends on the human body four fluid mixing proportions. Temperament theory in ancient Greece, the middle ages and Renaissance come out great influence. Therefore, the original meaning of “humor” in the human body is the proportion of four kinds of fluids to the people’s minds, constitution, and the tendency of the habit, temperament, temperament, or the heart, mood.

In business communication, humor as etiquette, is very important. Because people all love to be entertained; they love to laugh. Fun attracts people.

The importance of humor in business communication

Humor is very important in business, and foreigners from many countries are humorists by nature. They are used to employing humor to cope with stress, build relationship, break the ice in negotiations, and lift morale so on. According to the famous American humorist Roger E. Axtell, laughter has no accent. And no matter where you travel in our

world, there is one form of communication that is understood — the smile. Humor can create this effect.

Humor is also an indispensable factor in the recruitment of staff, the choosing of negotiation member or selecting expatriates by multi-national companies.

The cultural differences in humor

Humor is a culture component. Humor is an integral part of the garden of human communication and springs from cultural roots. The rules of humor are to a large extent culturally determined. Communication with humor is a linguistic ability that has to be acquired. Sometimes humor taken out of its cultural content does not translate well. Here are some situations in different cultures.

 While Americans are fond of injecting humor into business dealings, it is the British almost always insist on including some type of humor in negotiations and presentations.

 While Germans are willing to joke in bars and restaurants with business colleagues after hours, they find that humor has no place in formal business negotiations.

 The Japanese, as well as Chinese, see no need to inject humor into their business affairs as well. They fear that there is too much at stake. In business dealing in any country, a sense of humor can get you through even the roughest moments of a strained negotiation. So we should

recognize the difference, understand the differences.

Techniques of employing humor in international business

Every culture, every town, every individual has his or her own sense of humor. Therefore, it’s of great help to have an idea of humor around the world the world in intercultural business communication.

Remember these two cardinal rules for proper etiquette, behavior, and protocol. 1) Try to learn as much as you can, in advance, about the customs and practices of the culture your are visiting. 2) Never do or say anything that will bring unfavorable attention or embarrassment to another person.

Avoid any and all ethnic jokes. Your international associates will ensure that if you’ll assume that if you’ll tell an unflattering story about another ethnic group, you’ll also tell one about them.

If and when you commit some goof or gaffe, be certain to laugh it off. This demonstrates that you can laugh at yourself, which is usually an admired quality in almost any culture.

Humor is a specialized form of communication. Which is a good joke and which is bad? Nobody can tell you that except the listeners, so don’t give them stories they don’t want to hear.

Remember, you are using humor to enhance your message. If your humor offends, it interferes with what you have to say. It is not worth it. If in doubt, drop it.

Of course, there are many techniques of employing humor in international business, we can learn them and use them. In short, using humorous anecdotes is a way of breaking the ice and establishing a relaxed atmosphere prior to getting down to business.

Regardless of the culture, proper etiquette and protocol means maintaining your own values while respecting those of others. It does not mean slavishly following the rituals and practices of others to please your host. If you make an effort at the language, at understanding the basics of common courtesy, and avoid any flagrantly offensive or rude acts, you need to be overly concerned about the subtleties.

No one culture is right or wrong; cultures are different and approach business differently. They develop different norms and expectations. Businesspeople should learn how the other side approaches business and what the principles of etiquette and protocol are. Then they can make the necessary adjustments or openly the difference and come to a mutual understanding.

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