Friday, January 14, 2011

“Cross-Cultural Apologizing is Critical to Peace and Diplomacy - Associated Content” plus 1 more

“Cross-Cultural Apologizing is Critical to Peace and Diplomacy - Associated Content” plus 1 more


Cross-Cultural Apologizing is Critical to Peace and Diplomacy - Associated Content

Posted: 14 Jan 2011 12:52 PM PST

The Challenge

In international diplomacy and in stability operations, American entities are apologizing with the wrong forms. They are assuming that because the function of apology is universal the forms for it are universal as well,

 but they are mistaken. Using culturally inappropriate forms for apology undermines reconciliation, intensifies resentment, and prolongs hostility. No single function for communication involves more tragic cross-cultural misunderstanding with more negative consequences for modern global stability than misunderstood apologizing.

Some Cross-Cultural Communication Theory

Meaning to tell the audience his embarrassment was great for being late, the foreign missionary actually ended up telling the congregation that his private parts were very large. This misunderstanding turned out to be humorous, but the misunderstandings resulting from wrongly communicated apologies are exponentially more significant and disruptive.

Different cultures have different meanings for forms that accomplish universal functions. All societies have ways to apologize. Apologizing is a universal function. Words, grammar, and gestures, however, differ. They are forms. They have different meanings in different cultures. In the above example, the foreign guest chose the wrong word (form) to accomplish his intended apology (function) resulting in misunderstanding (missed meaning).

The "Languages" of Apology

Anthropologist Gary Chapman, whose writing and speaking popularized the five love-languages, has written with clinical psychologist Jennifer Thomas about five forms of apology. These forms that he calls "languages of apology," are:1

1. Expressing Regret - Saying, "I am sorry."
2. Accepting Responsibility - Admitting, "I was wrong."
3. Making Restitution - Committing, "I will make it right."
4. Genuinely Repenting - Promising, "I will not do that again."
5. Requesting Forgiveness - Asking, "Will you forgive me?"

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Global Food Authorities Convene in San Francisco to Address Food Fraud, Explore International and Cultural ... - YAHOO!

Posted: 14 Jan 2011 11:55 AM PST

Top North American food authorities will gather in San Francisco January 17 – 19 to discuss and debate the notion of authenticity and "truth in food."

San Francisco, CA (Vocus/PRWEB) January 14, 2011

Top North American food authorities will gather in San Francisco January 17 – 19 to discuss and debate the notion of authenticity and "truth in food" – from challenging the local food movement for an expanded definition to countering the harmful effects of misleading product labeling – on behalf of the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Buonitalia SpA and the True Italian initiative.

True Italian is a consumer awareness campaign designed to highlight the unique flavors and unsurpassed quality of authentic Italian food and wine products, protect the reputation of the Italian brand and support the farmers, vintners and artisans who have built Italy's reputation for excellence. The campaign aims to improve understanding at a global level regarding the specific, unique characteristics of authentic Italian products.

Restaurant consultant, author and James Beard Foundation award-winner Clark Wolf will moderate an impressive culinary think tank comprised of leading chefs, authors, food writers, retailers, producers and buyers. San Francisco's acclaimed Foreign Cinema will provide the backdrop for a dialogue that will focus on "international and cultural sustainability" and the role of authentic foods in a culinary culture that increasingly values locally sourced products – balancing the environmental imperative of relying on local, sustainable production with the cultural demand for authentic regional products.

The summit will also consider global counterfeiting and the epidemic of faux Italian food products on the market – as many as 7 out of 10 foods sold in the U.S. as authentic Italian are imposters, according to the Italian Farmers Union – with offenses ranging from Italian "look-alike" or "sound-alike" packaging, misleading product claims and clever substitutions to outright fraud. Often of inferior quality or flavor, these imitation products not only cheapen the Italian brand, they cause significant harm to the Italian economy, agriculture and livelihood of the small producers and family farmers that make up a majority of Italy's food delivery system.

In addition to Wolf, panelists and participants in the San Francisco True Italian Summit include Ari Weinzweig of Zingerman's; Mitchell Davis, Ph.D., Author/Historian and VP of the James Beard Foundation; Darrell Corti of Corti Brothers; Daphne Zepos of Essex Street Cheese Company; Dan Scherotter, Executive Chef and Owner of Palio d'Asti; David Lynch of Quince Restaurant and Nancy Radke, CCP who serves as the director of the U.S. Information Office for the Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano-Reggiano. Plus, Presidents and product representatives from more than 15 Italian consorzios will be present to discuss and sample their products along with a handful of nationally-prominent specialty food retailers, chefs and Rodrigo Cipriani, President of Buonitalia SpA. Cipriani is the head director of all Italian food and wine exports to the U.S. for the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.

Events surrounding the San Francisco True Italian Summit will take place at Foreign Cinema located at 2534 Mission Street, San Francisco, California.

For interviews or more information about the True Italian Summit, please contact Karen MacKenzie at MacKenzie Agency Public Relations, (707) 545-3280.

For more information, contact:
Karen MacKenzie, MacKenzie Agency, (707) 545-3280
mackenzie(at)mackenzieagency(dot)com

# # #

Karen MacKenzie
MacKenzie Agency
(707) 545-3280
Email Information

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