Chapter 4: Intercultural Communication
1. Introduction to Intercultural Communication
Experience of an international student in Germany
I asked Felipe, a Chilean exchange student, what he noticed most about German culture and where he saw the biggest differences between his own and German culture.
He answered me that, so far, he was least able to get used to the way people greet each other in Germany.
In Chile, men and women generally greeted each other with a kiss on the cheek, and men greeted each other with a handshake or an implied hug.
Here it does not play a role whether one knows itself or not.
A more formal greeting with a handshake or without any physical contact exists in Chile, especially on official occasions, such as a visit to the doctor or to an authority.
The greeting is also more formal between people of different social classes.
On private occasions, celebrations and among friends, on the other hand, everyone greets each other in the above-mentioned manner.
Under certain circumstances, this could lead to a situation where, if you arrive at a party a little later, you have to greet the many other guests individually with kisses. It is irrelevant whether or not you ever speak to the person again later.
I asked Felipe, a Chilean exchange student, what he noticed most about German culture and where he saw the biggest differences between his own and German culture.
He answered me that, so far, he was least able to get used to the way people greet each other in Germany.
In Chile, men and women generally greeted each other with a kiss on the cheek, and men greeted each other with a handshake or an implied hug.
Here it does not play a role whether one knows itself or not.
A more formal greeting with a handshake or without any physical contact exists in Chile, especially on official occasions, such as a visit to the doctor or to an authority.
The greeting is also more formal between people of different social classes.
On private occasions, celebrations and among friends, on the other hand, everyone greets each other in the above-mentioned manner.
Under certain circumstances, this could lead to a situation where, if you arrive at a party a little later, you have to greet the many other guests individually with kisses. It is irrelevant whether or not you ever speak to the person again later.
Source of information: (Berninghausen 2012)