Hhmmm, so maybe you’re not paranoid to feel vulnerable or anxious when interacting in another culture!  And while you don’t want to be overly self-conscious, it is sometimes good to get a ‘double check’ if you are using a phrase book to get around in another country.
Case in point:  my parent’s first trip to Brazil [...]

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 Talking about racial identity and multiculturalism is trendy, and what good marketer doesn’t immediately exploit a trend to make a buck?  Take a look at these three ads that incorporate interracial themes in the creative development of the ad for their client:
Starburst-Multiculturalism is the “punch-line” (by TBWA\Chiat\Day New York)

This ad builds an analogy of multiculturalism [...]

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 I found this “Hu’s on First” exchange between Condoleezza Rice and George W. Bush on cross cultural marketer and international sales strategist Cindy King’s website.  She was using it as an example of why it’s important to “ask follow up questions to confirm mutual understanding.”
The video is funny in and of itself, and some (most-giving [...]

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Visit msnbc.com [...]

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 Take look at this delightful ad for Heineken created by TBWA\Neboko, Amstelveen.  The ad does play on stereotypic “likes” of the sexes-shoes for her and beer for him, but it does it in a light, non-judgmental way that works.  What is particularly nice in this day of globalization is that while there is a minimal [...]

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 While today’s economy might prevent international travel for a spell, there are plenty of inexpensive things to do to share cultural traditions, inspire curiosity and empathy and improve your intercultural communication skills.  Here are just a few:

1) Hang a map of the world on your wall! Ignorance breeds indifference. Point out locations of world events [...]

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The first time I went to Brazil to meet my in-laws, over 20 years ago now, everyone was walking around saying “Oy.”  In the yiddish of my Jewish culture, “Oy” is what all of the old people say every time they get up….”Oy, my aching back…”  Oy, my sciatica…”  I associated it with people in [...]

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 As I was getting onto the Kennedy in downtown Chicago this week a billboard caught my attention.  It was a 10+ story high image of a tall, presumably icy cold, glass of Hoegaarden beer.  Sure, it caught my attention because it was really hot and the beer promised to be very refreshing.  But mostly because [...]

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 Thanks to Intercultural Talk reader Cara for sending this Survey opportunity on language and identity (actually, it’s a forwarded email from my sister, but it sounds more important the other way, not to ‘dis’ my sister…speaking of which, where does the word ‘dis’ originate?…enough already, here’s the survey)
Subject: FW: Survey on Language and Identity
You are [...]

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MySpace today launched a Korean language version in Seoul, South Korea according to an Associated Press story by Hyung-Jin Kim that was featured in papers and websites around the world.
“MySpace will be the one and only platform that provides an opportunity for Korean users to easily meet friends around the globe, surpassing the hindrance of [...]

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