Intercultural communication can best be defined as the exchange of messages between cultural groups. Ethnocentrism and ethnorelativism are aspects of intercultural communication. Ethnocentrism can best be defined as an individual believing their cultural group is superior to other groups. Ethnorelativism can best be defined as understanding cultural group differences but approaching other groups with an open mind. For instance, in the cartoon image above, the rhino has a collection of images from only their viewpoint. This shows how the rhino only care about their viewpoint and other rhinos and is not showing willingness to others viewpoint because of the collection of paintings in the image. The phrase “Having a hard time seeing past your nose,” in the image further correlates with the rhinos ethnocentrism because he only cares about his cultural views. In this case he only cared about his point of view that included his long horn above his nose.

I can relate this cartoon image to my experiences. I always try to be very open minded and understanding towards other cultural groups. As a bilingual individual, I speak both Spanish and English. I usually translate for my parents to help communication become easier for them. Once I went to the bank and was taking a long time at the window based on our needs and was also translating for my mother in Spanish at the same time. A customer behind us began to complain in English that I should learn to speak English and maybe that would help speed up the process. I turned around and told the woman that I spoke English which left her embarrassed. This experience showcased how the rude customer that was standing in line behind me was showcasing ethnocentrism and was only able to view English as her dominant language instead of understanding that English is not everyone’s primary language.

Interpersonal Communication can best be defined as sharing emotions, ideas, and information through a conversation with either a small group or one to one. As opposed to other forms of communications, interpersonal communication soles focus is not only to exchange information but to understand an individual. Self disclosure is very important to interpersonal communication. The Johari window model demonstrates four areas. The first area is “the open arena” which is information about yourself that you and others are already aware of. The second area is “the blind area” which consists of information only others know about you and you are not aware of. The third area, “the hidden area,” is information you are aware of but is kept away from others. The final area is the “the unknown area,” that consists of information about yourself unknown to everyone including yourself. The image above showcases “the hidden area” because this is information that only the man holding the coffee cup will know but decides to keep from others except has decide to tell the other person. Now this information has moved to “the open area” that allows the two individuals in the image to be aware of.

This cartoon image can relate back to anytime I begin a new job. For instance, I have recently made a year at my job. Throughout the year I have gained and reciprocated trust with my colleagues. While I kept lots of my personal feelings, ideas and information about myself hidden. I have begun to move to the open area with others individuals by sharing my personal information. This has allowed me to get closer to others at work and for all of us to get to know each other better.

Nonverbal communication can best be defined as communication between individuals and groups of people to send and receive messages. There are different forms of nonverbal communication such as sounds, behaviors and items. For instance, we can see in the cartoon image how the person at the front of the classroom has chosen not to speak but instead communicate through his facial gestures such as smiling for his discussion. Smiles tend to always be related to happiness. The rest of the classroom has received the presenter’s non verbal communication with enthusiasm and displaying support. The teacher is smiling showing she is happy with the presentation and the student in the blue shirt has a thumbs showing how he believes the presenter did a good job.

This image reminds me of how I use non verbal communication in school. When I attended Borough of Manhattan Community College I took a speech class. We would present every week on a new topic and while we would use verbal communication to carry out the speech, nonverbal communication also helps to read people you are presenting to0. For instance, I would speak about my favorite interest such as trying new cafes and going out with friends during a presentation but, I started to get nervous the class was not enjoying the presentation. I began to look at every one’s face to pick up on facial gestures demonstrating they were enjoying it. Some of my classmates were smiling and leaning forward demonstrating their interest in my speech. Facial gestures are a form of non verbal communication that help send and receive messages between people.

Verbal communication can best be defined as spoken and written languages used to exchange messages with one another. Sign language is also a form of verbal communication because language is being used to interchange messages. In the cartoon image we can see asynchronous conversation happening through email and then switching to synchronous conversation in person. This is a distinct difference between spoken and written forms of verbal communication. Asynchronous conversation in the cartoon can create confusion especially because you have to read between the lines and the conversation develops throughout a longer time period. Through synchronous conversation, this can be seen taking place in person when the employee in the blue communicates how all capitals in an email sound like yelling and the employee in pink responds immediately with her response concluding the conversation. This is a major difference between asynchronous and synchronous forms of verbal communication being depicted in the cartoon image.

This cartoon image can relate to situations that have happened to me at work. As an admin assistant I am constantly sending and receiving emails. However, conversations that take place through email occur asynchronously which can lead to miscommunications. For instance, I received an email back a couple of days ago from the ID department and all of the contents in the email were in capitals and while I believe it was a mistake it felt like I was being yelled at for sending my ID picture in the wrong format. If this conversation were to happen through a synchronous conversation taking place through in person conversation, it would be easier to pick up on the verbal messages being communicated more faster and clearer.