ABSTRACT
Seldom, very seldom, does complete truth belong to any human disclosure; seldom can it happen that something is not a little disguised, or a little mistaken.
—Jane Austen, Emma
Chapter 3 made it clear that it is no easy task to communicate well. Messages get distorted, confused, or missed altogether when transmitted across cultures, making good communication more illusion than reality. This puts a measurable value on cross-cultural communication skills. Yet, in the heat of the international business battle, development (and sometimes appreciation) of these skills can take a backseat to more pressing business needs. All in all, therefore, we have got a breeding ground for conflict. Conflict occurs when disagreements and friction arise in the course of social interaction because of opposing interests, cultural differences in communication styles, and misunderstandings.
