As a freelancer, how can you effectively communicate with others from different cultures?

sipho Level 1

July 28, 2016, 9:44 am

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As a freelancer, how can you effectively communicate with others from different cultures?

We all have grown up differently, from different cultures, backgrounds religions and societies.

And, with all that in mind, every difference in our background or upbringing causes a difference in how we speak and communicate - not just in the variation of language but also in what specific words or situations mean to each of us.

As a freelancer you will have the chance to talk to people from around the world. How do you bridge not only the language but also communication gap so there are no misunderstandings?

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anwebservices

anwebservices

Well, we all have to know that all cultures are different and all people feeling different. So when you speak to person who understand that, it's easier. For some western people is something normal, and some eastern people take it as very annoying or even inappropriate, and we have to respect each others feelings and understandings, because we grow up with differences. Forcing anyone else to accept your opinion is not very good idea, but i always respect other and different opinions just because of knowing this facts.
For example haggling about prices here at Seoclerks is very annoying to me, but i know it's big part of trading in many countries around the world. It's not even uncommon in my country, but to me personally sometime sound like disrespect of my work. Anyway, i never said anything bad to people who want to haggle, but i am just not going for it. If there is some discount coupon, i offer it and that's it. So it's same with everything else i guess

8 years ago

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sipho

sipho

Do you mind telling your mother tongue at home?

8 years ago

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anwebservices

anwebservices

My language at home is Bosnian and i realy speak at home and outside with all my friends. I also speak English and i can communicate on German as well, while i can use little bit of Italian and Greek too

There is no shame in using any language at home or outside nowadays. I also love to learn and use other languages for fun or for better understanding some people who have difficulties with English and it's really nice even when you speak just few words with people on they mother language, somehow it brings you closer and respectfull

8 years ago

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sipho

sipho

Do mind telling me what is your mother tongue?

8 years ago

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CryptoGuru

CryptoGuru

yea i agree when it comes to dealing with people from other cultures it can be a bit challenging depending on the person it really can but you speak to a person with more under standing some one who is more down too earth so to speak well it helps things run a lot smoother and as long as both of you two can maintain that same amount of respect at all times and every thing is you know mutual i believe communication would run real smoothly it should not be difficult, good people work well with good people regardless of back round

8 years ago

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EliteWriter

EliteWriter

As freelancers we meet clients from all over the world. That is just awesome in my opinion, but it also has its pitfalls.As you said there are differences in the way people think, there are also age differences, various languages which pose a communication barrier, and also certain ways to do things, such as expecting to haggle with prices, or understanding certain beliefs and traditions they might have. I do not think that these are problems as over time you learn to get used to them. The key is to always be polite and courteous and do your best to understand them well.

8 years ago

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CryptoGuru

CryptoGuru

i can see some of the points you are trying to make Elite writer i really can , it does make complete sense what you had said a bout some of its pit falls i think the thing that stood out to me the most out of every thing you mentioned was really what you said about the communication barrier but as you also go in to mention with time you learn to deal and handle these type of situations in the correct way at all times for any occasion it comes with just learning to understand people in general

8 years ago

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ajlancer

ajlancer

Hi sipho thanks for your interesting question. As a freelancer I am sure culture is no barrier generally. but sometimes you will face few worst situation from worst buyer or seller, if they do not try to understand of some religious vacation or cultural facts. And that is very rare case. Besides, if you purely thinking as freelancer need to communicate with service related only. And I am sure all are try to communicate by English languages. So, I think as the way of communication by English, sometimes make problem who really not familiar with this language.
How effective I communicate? It is very simple, for communication by the way of English language, I always try to use very simple word who really belongs from non English country. So, buyer can easily understand what I tried to say.

Regards by Ajlancer

8 years ago

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CryptoGuru

CryptoGuru

oh wow you have some really good points i took to noticing that you had went on to mention some thing about cultural vacations and things similar to that then i noticed as you said it might bring up problems on the buyer seller level of things and that is when it all started to click for me to be honest now i can see what you meant to say, and it is true some people wont understand the way certain people operate , things like that are just things you have to adapt too and learn and live with at the end of the day

8 years ago

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anwebservices

anwebservices

You know, there is some people with HIGH EGO and no matter how good is your English they will always try to make you feel like "third class". I had this situations, but i never made them satisfied with that as i keep respecting their opinions but keep my pride too, while i was consistently improving my English speaking and writing

8 years ago

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Lynne

Lynne

I think everyone here understands that this is an international market place

One tip I have is don't call everyone Sir. I don't like being called Sir and it happens all the time.

If you are unsure just use Sir/Madam instead.

8 years ago

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EliteWriter

EliteWriter

It seems to be something really common, and that's unfortunate as there are many female sellers online, but I guess most seem to be fixated with male domination, which is a real pity. A simple sir/madam every time would definitely be so much better so as to be on the safe side always

8 years ago

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CryptoGuru

CryptoGuru

yea of course we do you have to , in general terms it is known fact that the internet is used by almost every race on the planet, every culture surfaces the world wide web , so that comes with the free lance territory having to under stand this an international market place and you are going to deal with others from other places , and i agree try to stay away from the sir name lol honestly no really you do not want to offend your buyer or any thing like that so out of respect to keep courtesy it is best to go with your method

8 years ago

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Lynne

Lynne

I suppose I don't get offended too much but it is something that annoys me all the time and it is just happening way too often for my liking. I think that is the part that bothers me most, that so many people do it.

I guess it is common courtesy.

8 years ago

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CryptoGuru

CryptoGuru

You do have to keep in mind how things work though you know there are so many people that all ready have a system or a way things should work or run in place that suits them and there way of being in life and when it comes to things like that you have no control of and that goes with this sir or madam thing most people just assume out of common gestures that saying sir is the right thing to do it can be a force of habit or second nature if you would people would have to really focus themselves on wording different

8 years ago

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CryptoGuru

CryptoGuru

I once use to work in this restaurant it was a barbecue spot any who, there were times not a lot but I did have moments were I would deal with customers that could not really understand me or I could not understand them, there was communication barrier definitely one time I dealt with this lady she was deaf and I do not know a single piece of sign language so I'm amusing you see my problem lol well point is after a while of taking the time to understand the customer in front of me I was able to take care of what I need to and things went smooth

8 years ago

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Barida

Barida

It is all about having respect for others and doing all we could to communicate on a business level with them. One thing I've also come to realize is that with adequate communication, we can get to understand their culture better.

7 years ago

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vinaya

vinaya

Language skills is the most important aspect of working with clients from different cultures. Both of you should have a common tongue. Sometime back I worked with a Polish client, his English was so poor that I did not understand his instruction. I assumed what he wanted and worked on this project. When I delivered the work, he was satisfied.

7 years ago

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Corzhens

Corzhens

This reminds me of some forums that do not accept members from non-English speaking countries. There was one forum that did not explicitly say that in the rules so I joined. But after 5 posts, I was informed that my membership had been canceled because my English is not American English. Of course, I was dismayed that’s why I am now careful and discerning when joining forums. It is insulting to read that my English does not meet their standard. Oh well, he owns the forum so I cannot quarrel with his decision.

7 years ago

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