Peace Corps | World Wise Schools | Teaching About Culture | Culture Matters Workbook

Paul D. Coverdell World Wise Schools - Culture Matters

Dialogues

Each of the dialogues presented here contains an example of a misunderstanding due to differences in communication styles--indirect in one culture, direct in the other.

Your task is to note in the space below each dialogue the difference between what was said or done and how the PCV interpreted it.

Quick Trip

HCN: How did the visit to the co-op go?
PCV: Quite well, I think they're interested in using my expertise.
HCN: Did they show you around?
PCV: Yes. I saw the whole co-op.
HCN: The whole thing! That must have taken hours.
PCV: Actually, we were in and out in less than 30 minutes. They said another guy was coming at noon.

Committee Meeting

1ST PCV: How did it go with the committee members?
2ND PCV: A lot easier than I was expecting.
1ST PCV: Really? Did you ask about buying the new equipment?
2ND PCV: Yes. I explained we had to have it and told them how much it would cost.
1ST PCV: And?
2ND PCV: There was no discussion. They said fine and asked me to move on to the next item.

We'll Get Back To You

HCN: How did it go at the clinic?
PCV: Very well, I think, for the first meeting.
HCN: When will you see the director again?
PCV: In the end, I didn't meet with the director. I met with his assistant.
HCN: Did she ask you a lot of questions about your proposal?
PCV: A few.
HCN: When are you going back?
PCV: Probably next week.
HCN: You're not sure?
PCV: I asked for another appointment and she said she would get back to me.

Explanations

PCV: Miss Chung. What can I do for you?
HCN: Excuse me. I need some help with this new machine.
PCV: Of course. Let me explain it again.
HCN: I asked Li, but she couldn't help me.
PCV: No, she hasn't tried it yet.
HCN: It's a little bit complicated.
PCV: It's very complicated, but after I explained it to you and asked you if you understood, you said yes.
HCN: Yes. Please excuse me.

Transfer

1ST PCV: I asked the director for a transfer yesterday.
2ND PCV: What did she say?
1ST PCV: Not much. She asked me how I was getting along with Radu these days.
2ND PCV: What did you say?
1ST PCV: I told her nothing had changed, that I wanted out because of him.
2ND PCV: Then what?
1ST PCV: She said she understood my problem, that she knows Radu isn't easy.
2ND PCV: Do you think she'll transfer you?
1ST PCV: Oh, I'm sure. She said she'd had a lot of complaints about Radu over the years.

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