| United States public speaking audiences are | | | | might all turn around and come back to sit down. |
| becoming more and more diverse. It is your | | | | To them the wave means, 'Hey! Come back.' In |
| responsibility as a public speaker to be aware of | | | | other parts of Latin American and in Europe the |
| and acknowledge significant portions of the | | | | same wave means 'no.'The book I previously |
| audience that come from differing backgrounds. If | | | | mentioned has hundreds of tips that will help keep |
| you are speaking in a different country, again, it is | | | | the audience on your side when you present |
| up to you to find out about local customs and | | | | outside the U. S. Another good and inexpensive |
| types of humor that are appreciated in that locale. | | | | source of international background information is |
| The response to humor is quite different for | | | | the 'Culturgram' published by the David M. |
| different cultures. Paying close attention to this | | | | Kennedy Center for International Studies, which is |
| fact will give you a greater chance of connecting | | | | part of Brigham Young University, located in |
| with international audiences in and out of the U.S. | | | | Provo, Utah.Each 'Culturgram' is a four page |
| You will also be more aware of etiquette and | | | | newsletter that gives you an easy to understand |
| customs that will make you a welcome speaker | | | | overview of the country of your choice. It |
| anywhere you go.If you are not familiar with your | | | | includes customs and common courtesies, along |
| intended audience, in your pre- program research | | | | with information about the people and their |
| you might ask, 'How diverse is your group? Or do | | | | lifestyle. References point you toward additional |
| you have members from other countries?' The | | | | study resources. Currently 'Culturgrams' are |
| answers to these questions will help you plan your | | | | available for 118 countries.VisualRegardless of |
| strategy for connecting with a particular audience.I | | | | one's nationality and culture, cartoons and comic |
| was doing my planning for a speech in Baltimore, | | | | strips are the most universally accepted format |
| Maryland and found out that twenty-five percent | | | | for humor. A good resource is Witty World |
| of the audience was Asian Indian. I knew nothing | | | | International Cartoon Magazine by Creators |
| about the Indian culture and didn't have long to | | | | Syndicate 310-337-7003. If you are speaking to a |
| plan. What I did know was the Dunkin' Donut | | | | small group you can hold up the magazine or pass |
| store near my home was owned and run by | | | | it around. If you want to use the cartoon or |
| Indians. That was a good excuse to stop in, down | | | | comic strip in a visual, you may need permission |
| a few eclairs, and do some research. I told the | | | | from the copyright holder. Always read the |
| proprietor what I was trying to accomplish and he | | | | caption for a foreign audience and give them time |
| was glad to help. Out of all the information he | | | | to mentally translate what you say. It may take |
| gave me about humor in India, I only used one | | | | what seems to be forever (4-6 seconds) for the |
| line. That was all it took to connect. The line was, | | | | idea to sink in.Cartoons and comic strips are seen |
| 'I want to tell all my new Indian friends I'm sorry | | | | in newspapers and magazines in most areas of |
| Johnny Lever couldn't make it.' Johnny Lever was | | | | the world. Newsstands in large cities usually have |
| one of the top comedians in India. They lit up and | | | | foreign periodicals, or you may find them in large |
| I went on with the program.If your local donut | | | | libraries. It might be fun to collect cartoons and |
| shop isn't run by the appropriate nationality for | | | | comic strips when you travel so you have a |
| your next speaking engagement, don't worry. | | | | ready supply when you need one for a speech.Be |
| There are other sure-fire methods to get the | | | | careful about your selection of cartoons. Many |
| information you need. If you are speaking outside | | | | American cartoons would totally bomb if used |
| the US, get the opinion of local people before you | | | | outside the U.S. Much of our humor is based on |
| attempt to use humor. If you are speaking in the | | | | making fun of someone else. This type of humor |
| U.S., seek out members of the nationality to | | | | is not understood in most areas of the world and |
| whom you are speaking. If you don't happen to | | | | is considered disrespectful.Other forms of visual |
| know any, you can always call their embassy. I've | | | | humor that transcend most cultural barriers are |
| called our State Department, The World Bank, | | | | juggling and magic. I don't do either, but good |
| Voice of America and many other public agencies | | | | resources are available. Speaking With Magic is a |
| for information. Just tell the receptionist you want | | | | book by Michael Jeffreys that not only teaches |
| to speak to someone from the country of | | | | you simple tricks, but gives you the points you |
| interest. Don't forget to tell them you want to | | | | can relate to the trick. I got my copy from Royal |
| converse in English.In Hong Kong you would never | | | | Publishing, Box 1120, Glendora, CA 91740 Phone |
| beckon someone by putting your hand out and | | | | (626) 335-8069. For juggling and other magic |
| curling your index finger back and forth. Why? | | | | books call or write for Morris Costume's Catalog, |
| Read on.When speaking to foreign audiences you | | | | 3108 Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC 28205 Phone |
| must check your humor carefully so you don't | | | | (704) 332-3304. There is a charge for the catalog, |
| accidentally offend someone. In some countries | | | | but it's worth it.WordsTerminology is different in |
| you may hear people openly joking on television | | | | most areas of the world even if the country is |
| or in public about subjects that would be taboo in | | | | English based. Highly tested humor that would |
| the U.S. That doesn't mean you can attempt to | | | | work anywhere in the U.S. may fall flat in another |
| joke about the same subjects in your | | | | country simply because the audience doesn't |
| presentation.Even if your speaking humor is OK, | | | | understand one of the words. For example, in |
| you need to become familiar with other customs | | | | Australia, public speaking break out sessions are |
| in the country in which you are speaking. Customs | | | | called syndicates. If you were making a joke that |
| are quite different around the world. It is easy to | | | | used the word syndicate, you may totally |
| make mistakes when you are in a totally new | | | | confuse the audience and they won't laugh. People |
| environment. You'll never get the audience to | | | | from most other countries will not relate easily if |
| laugh if you accidentally do something offensive. A | | | | you mention miles per gallon or miles per hour. |
| good resource that gives you a fun look at | | | | You should avoid speaking about seasons, sports |
| customs in other countries is the book 'Gestures: | | | | figures or celebrities that don't have world-wide |
| The Do's and Taboos of Body Language Around | | | | name recognition. Rethink all humor you normally |
| the World' by Roger Axtell. This book gives lots | | | | use and try to find problematic words. This is |
| of information on things to do and not to do in | | | | difficult to do by yourself. Try to find a person |
| public when in a foreign country. Here's just a few | | | | familiar with the local culture to help you.When |
| serious mistakes that could easily be made during | | | | using translators, humor is tougher because timing |
| a speaking engagement that would offend:1. In | | | | and word play don't translate well. You might have |
| Columbia if you wanted to show the height of an | | | | to slow down considerably because of |
| animal you would hold your arm out palm down | | | | interpretation. Some speakers use half sentences |
| and raise it to the appropriate height. If you are | | | | to keep up the pace. This is very difficult and |
| trying to show the height of a person, you do the | | | | requires practice.Speakers have been known to |
| same thing, but your palm is on edge. So, if you | | | | have fun with interpreters (of course, I would |
| meant to show the height of a person, but you | | | | never do this). An unnamed speaker I know |
| did it palm down as we normally would in the U.S., | | | | purposely mumbled to his interpreter to see what |
| you would have either insulted the person by | | | | would happen. The interpreter mumbled back. |
| treating he or she like an animal or you would | | | | Then the speaker mumbled again. It was |
| have confused your audience because they would | | | | hilarious.Even when the audience speaks English |
| now think that you were actually talking about an | | | | they may not be able to understand your accent. |
| animal that had the name of a person. See how | | | | Check with locals to see if you can be easily |
| crazy this can get.2. I've got another animal | | | | understood. You may have to adjust your normal |
| problem for you. In Hong Kong, Indonesia and | | | | delivery and rate of pitch slightly.Art Gliner, a long- |
| Australia you would never beckon someone by | | | | time humor trainer, gave me this tip: He learns |
| putting your hand out and curling your index finger | | | | how to say Happy New Year in the different |
| back and forth (like you might do to coax | | | | languages represented in his audience. That |
| someone on stage with you). This gesture is used | | | | technique always gets a laugh and the further |
| to call animals and/or ladies of the night and would | | | | away it is from New Years, the better. He also |
| be offensive to your audience.3. In Latin American | | | | tells me a word of welcome in the native |
| and the Middle East people stand much closer | | | | language works well too.A few additional tips from |
| while conversing. If you were interacting with a | | | | around the world:* In general, Asians tend not to |
| person from one of these cultures during a public | | | | show excitement. Thais are an exception. They |
| speaking engagement and you backed away to | | | | want to have fun while they learn. Be sure to |
| keep a normal U.S. personal space, you would be | | | | take lots of small gifts to give out and be |
| sending a very unfriendly message. Asians, | | | | prepared to receive some too.* Do not expect |
| however typically stand farther apart. Your | | | | standing ovations when speaking in public in |
| understanding of this will keep you from chasing | | | | Australia. It doesn't seem to be part of their |
| them all over the stage. Keep this in mind too if | | | | culture.* Remember -the U.S. is the foreign |
| you go into the audience to interact with them. | | | | country when you speak outside its borders. Lots |
| Since they are seated, you control the | | | | of things can be different and you should be |
| interpersonal space.Sometimes your mistakes are | | | | prepared. Many countries have different standard |
| funny. Hermine Hilton, the well known memory | | | | paper sizes and use two hole punches instead of |
| expert, tells of a speaking engagement in Nigeria | | | | three. Any video you plan to use must be |
| where she tried to pronounce the names of | | | | converted to PAL. You may need a converter to |
| members of the audience and innocently added | | | | operate equipment you bring with you.* South of |
| sexual innuendo. She said everyone was falling on | | | | the border people don't like us to refer to |
| the floor with laughter. Most foreign audiences do | | | | ourselves as Americans. We must remember that |
| appreciate your effort to speak their | | | | we are not the only ones. There are North |
| language.Here's a few more international public | | | | Americans, Central Americans and South |
| speaking tips I've run across:1. You might think | | | | Americans.* In Japan you should never use |
| you are putting your audience to sleep in Japan, | | | | self-effacing humor during your public speaking |
| but don't worry. In Japan it is common to show | | | | engagement which is well received in American |
| concentration and attentiveness in public by closing | | | | culture. Actually, the Japanese don't like humor in |
| the eyes and nodding the head up and down | | | | seminars at all. Conversely, Australians love |
| slightly. -- Then again, maybe you really are | | | | humor.The point is that every culture has its likes |
| boring.2. Applause is accepted as a form of | | | | and dislikes when it comes to humor. They also |
| approval in most areas of the world. In the United | | | | have customs that can be very different from |
| States the applause is sometimes accompanied | | | | our own. Your knowledge in this area will help you |
| by whistling. If you hear whistles in many parts of | | | | create a connection with your international |
| Europe, you better run because it is a signal of | | | | audience. You must do your homework, but it is |
| disapproval.3. If you were finishing a speaking | | | | worth it because a laugh sounds the same and |
| engagement in Argentina and you waved | | | | produces the same good feelings in any language. |
| goodbye, U.S. style, the members of the audience | | | | |