"Of course, there are some cultural differences and it's important to be sensitive and pay attention to them. An example is learning to interpret the indirect communication style of Vietnamese. But now I'm familiar with it and I can read the tea leaves just fine. [I've even learned a bit about the subtle art of how things left unsaid speak volumes.]"
I wish I was familiar with indirect communication, and I wish I could read tea leaves. Problem is I only drink coffee, and that's pretty direct. The caffeine in Vietnamese coffee goes straight into the veins. But back to the reason for my post.
I used to think things left unsaid were the sign of someone lacking confidence or the ability to effectively express themselves. OK, now I can re-evaluate certain things in a new light. It's a subtle art, eh? I've never thought of myself as an artist, which is probably why I missed it. Knowing these things now doesn't make it any easier to address day to day conflict or even minor disagreements. But it does help me understand why things are the way they are, and THAT is all I need to find the solution. Understanding is the key to everything. Is there a course I can take on all this?
Steve McGrath
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
rockportrait@gmail.com
www.channelsteve.com
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I wish there was a course to take ,to understand people etc… If understanding is the key to everything, and finding that key is the answer, then once you have it pass it on to me.I could do with unlocking a few things in this world, instead of pointlessly banging my head against the wall most of the time, and still getting no further than i was.