Intercultural Communication

Would Marco Polo have been able to survive the first year of travel if he had been as focused on cultural differences as many people today are? Would my best friends not only be Germans?

“Build a wall around Russia” an Irish consultant told me lately (2008) on LinkedIn when I asked a question on my research about a Russian province. Those are the proud but prejudiced idiots that make our world miserable. Full of hatred for things they do not understand.

Russian friend Olga wrote me about making friends in Russia:

1. Be honest and keep your promises, have and show out respect to the country and to the people. Show you trust the Russian side as much as all other countries.
2. Behave yourself to the Russian partners, colleges etc. same as from other countries.
3. Underline what is in common in life, business etc. - not what differs.

She closes: … Usually Russians are open-hearted and friendly people

But these are universal truths. Honesty. Respect. Faith. Reliability.

Xenia, the concept about hospitality is natural in most societies. It requires as much effort from guest as from host. Did Marco Polo not make friends across the barriers of culture or language during his travels?

» Jürgen