Recently I had to interview some candidates for openings in a large mission field in Asia. Some of these candidates had undergone cross-cultural training in Bible schools and in other formal programs, and others had not. After this experience, I feel led to share my opinions on “cross-cultural” communications.
I found that some of the candidates who had gone through formal cross-cultural training tended to be overly concerned with what they had learned in their classes rather than with me (their interviewer!). It was as if they were trying so hard to recall what they had learned about “Muslims” that they forgot me! They were so focussed on recalling cross-cultural facts, that they forgot that the best cross-cultural tool is a smile and a warm greeting to their interviewer!
The best cross-cultural lesson I’ve learned is not from any book or course on missions but from what I’ve learned from God. And I’ve found that it has worked in every country and in almost every situation. It is simply to smile and say “Hello!” (it’s even better if you know the local word for hello). This may sound easy to do but in reality very few people seem to do it well!
In this hi-tech age, where people spend more time with machines rather than men, a really warm smile is getting rarer and rarer. In this hi-tech age when people type better than talk, a happy “Hello” or “Hi” is seldom heard. A smile and hello are universally understood and appreciated by all – irrespective of culture, language, social status, religion, etc.
Many missionaries spend years learning a new language but few spend minutes learning how to smile and say “Hello!” Though it may sound almost ridiculous and demeaning to tell intelligent, well-educated people that they need to practise smiling and saying “Hello!” I believe that this is the most powerful cross-cultural tool that we have.
First opinions count! And we only get one chance to create a first opinion! So please practise smiling in front of a mirror and saying a loud, happy “Hello!”
Whether we are missionaries reaching a hostile group or Christians meeting our neighbours, a smile and “hello” will glorify our Father in Heaven.
A smile and a warm “hello” will not only make you a better missionary but also a better, happier person.
“Whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1Co 10:31)
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I agree with you !. We have moved away from our God given natural abilities to smile, to be warm etc …..to be very bookish.
Even in our churches we are like that. Our Hello, How are you is mechanical. There is no warmth. We can feel the coldness. No time to really sit with one person. We are so busy with new methodologies to get more people.
Where as there are things like genuine simile, which comes from heart does mighty wonders ! Thanks for sharing ! Will remember it today !
RP
(After thought : We produce after our own kind ! It is true with Spiritual children.)
It also have to be sponataneous. It comes naturally to ppl who are service orinetated, humble and possess humility.