Cultural divide

A cultural divide is "a boundary in society that separates communities whose social economic structures, opportunities for success, conventions, styles, are so different that they have substantially different psychologies".[1] A cultural divide is the virtual barrier caused by cultural differences, that hinder interactions, and harmonious exchange between people of different cultures. For example, avoiding eye contact with a superior shows deference and respect in East Asian cultures, but can be interpreted as suspicious behavior in Western cultures.[2] Studies on cultural divide usually focus on identifying and bridging the cultural divide at different levels of society.

  1. ^ Prentice, Deborah A.; Dale T. Miller, eds. (2001). Cultural divides : understanding and overcoming group conflict. New York: Russell Sage Foundation. p. 395. ISBN 0871546892.
  2. ^ Martin, Jeanette S.; Chaney, Lillian H. (2008). Global business etiquette : a guide to international communication and customs. Westport, CT: Praeger. pp. 56. ISBN 978-0275988159.