ABSTRACT
This chapter examines safer sex negotiation in East-West romantic dyads using Ting-Toomey's theory of face negotiation. It explores intimate communication in intercultural romantic couples. More specifically, it examined safer sex negotiation processes in East-West romantic dyads. Eight theoretical propositions are derived from the theory and relevant dimensions of cultural variability, namely, low-high context and individualism-collectivism, to predict intimate communication behaviors between women and men in East-West romantic dyads. Communication about sexual intimacy is crucial in romantic relationships. Because of the potential vulnerability and emotional volatility of sexual interaction, talking about sex and persuading a partner to practice safer sex are different from other compliance-gaining situations. At the theoretical and research levels, future work needs to: examine how culture and gender come together to influence face needs and facework behavior in intimate relationships; and test the above predictions in research to assess the potential utility of this intercultural theory in the intimate communication context.
