Ethical Issues in Intercultural Communication
Those seriously involved in becoming multiculturally competent will often need to face ethnical dilemmas involved in cross-cultural situations.  Failure to consider and reflect on these issues may cause personal difficulties and tensions unless an ethical stance is carefully prepared


Dilemma One: (Adjustment)
Questions:  How much should one change your behaviors to fit with the beliefs, values and norms of those you are interacting with?  Whose responsibility is it to change?  Visitor, sojourner, newcomer, or host?   Simple example:  What about the language one speaks?  Should a person who comes to the US be required to speak English, only English?
Remember:  Not all immigrants, visitors, or even students are in a new culture because of choice.  Or it was a choice of leave or die/starve/censorship!

Consider the adage: When in Rome, do as the Romans do.  Often a wise recommendation — shows sensitivity, respect.  Conformity allows a genuine relationship with fewer barriers.  But, whole sale adoption may be seen as disrespectful.  (i.e. Americans and Europeans in India in the 60's and 70's who lived dressed and acted as if they were poor Indians.

Sometimes, one sees the other behavior of the other cultures as “wrong.”  Should American women wear a veil, refuse to drive a car and insist on a male chaperone when in Saudi Arabia?  To do so goes against the American values of freedom, male/female equality.

Issues:  At what point does one give up one’s cultural identity and moral integrity?  At what point does adoption of another culture offend or insult?  Necessary to be aware of one’s own moral stance and at the same time of the need to display respect for others.


Dilemma Two: (Right and Wrong)
Question:  Are Cultural Values Relative or Universal?


The “relativistic” argue that it is not acceptable to judge another culture because it is based on its own set of values.  The problem with this is that this suggests there are no firm beliefs or values on which to base identity and worth.  Yet, it must be recognized that there are culturally specific values that do change.

“Universalists” have argued from two universal values:

  • Preservation of worth and dignity
  • Peace
  • Thus, a cultural value that does not maintain human dignity or peaceful relations may be considered as wrong.  Examples:  slavery,  mutilation


    Dilemma Three: (Encouragement)
    Questions:  Are all intercultural contacts beneficial?  Do the ends justify the means?
    An illustration is tourism.  It provides economic benefits and allows people from one culture to learn about another.  But, it often has serious negative consequences: consumption of natural resources to the detriment of the local population, overwhelming of local population by numbers and by concepts that eventually destroy their culture.

    Related questions:

  • Should intercultural contacts be allowed by the naive and unprepared?
  • Should intercultural contacts be allowed by those who don’t speak the language of those they contact?
  • Should those who are prejudiced or racist be allowed intercultural contacts?
  • Is it ethical to send missionaries who intend to change another culture?

  • Basic Solutions  to Ethical Dilemmas
  • The Golden Rule — Treat people of other cultures with the same respect and dignity that they would like to receive.
  • Empathy — Try to describe and understand another culture as accurately as possible
  • Tolerance — Encourage people from other cultures to express themselves their natures
  • Identification — Strive to identify with people of other cultures (look for commonality, universality, rather than separateness)

  • BSAD 560, Intercultural Business Relations