Intercultural competence as an aspect of the communicative ...
Intercultural competence as an aspect of the communicative ...
Intercultural competence as an aspect of the communicative ...
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irritated by <strong>the</strong> kids’ behaviour <strong>an</strong>d says to Kate “Why are you <strong>as</strong>king <strong>the</strong>m<br />
so politely to finish something <strong>the</strong>y know <strong>the</strong>y have to do? Just order <strong>the</strong>m,<br />
<strong>an</strong>d that’s it”.<br />
Why is <strong>the</strong>re a misunderst<strong>an</strong>ding between <strong>the</strong> parents?<br />
Critical incident 9. Veljko is <strong>an</strong> exch<strong>an</strong>ge student <strong>of</strong> electronics, who is<br />
spending a year in Chicago. He’s doing quite well, but since his test is<br />
coming in two weeks’ time, he w<strong>an</strong>ts to check few problems with his micro<br />
engineering teacher. At <strong>the</strong> beginning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> semester <strong>the</strong> teacher told <strong>the</strong><br />
cl<strong>as</strong>s that he would be in his <strong>of</strong>fice every Tuesday from 1 till 3 p.m. should<br />
<strong>the</strong>y need him. So, Veljko is in front <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fice a few minutes before 1 <strong>an</strong>d<br />
he knocks on <strong>the</strong> closed door <strong>an</strong>d enters. The pr<strong>of</strong>essor is surprised, <strong>an</strong>d not<br />
very willing to talk to Veljko – why might this be?<br />
Critical incident 14. An Americ<strong>an</strong> h<strong>as</strong> achieved a m<strong>an</strong>agerial position at <strong>an</strong><br />
international b<strong>an</strong>k’s <strong>of</strong>fice in Serbia. He is <strong>as</strong>ked to be on <strong>the</strong> selection<br />
committee for a new employee. The b<strong>an</strong>k president is a Serbi<strong>an</strong> citizen, <strong>an</strong>d<br />
one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> job applic<strong>an</strong>ts is his nephew. The Americ<strong>an</strong> does not place much<br />
weight on this fact <strong>an</strong>d, instead, he is impressed by <strong>the</strong> education <strong>an</strong>d<br />
previous job experience <strong>of</strong> <strong>an</strong>o<strong>the</strong>r c<strong>an</strong>didate. However, everyone else on <strong>the</strong><br />
selection committee prefers <strong>the</strong> boss’s nephew, despite his ra<strong>the</strong>r mediocre<br />
career accomplishments to date. Why would <strong>the</strong> Americ<strong>an</strong> be surprised?<br />
Critical incident 17. Mary<strong>an</strong>ne, <strong>an</strong> Americ<strong>an</strong>, h<strong>as</strong> been in Serbia for two<br />
months, she’s in her 30s <strong>an</strong>d h<strong>as</strong> been working with a local NGO. She met a<br />
lot <strong>of</strong> people <strong>of</strong> different ages, occupation <strong>an</strong>d social status. One thing that<br />
she finds str<strong>an</strong>ge is when people <strong>as</strong>k her about her parents <strong>an</strong>d family– how<br />
<strong>the</strong>y’re doing, whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>y’re missing her. How would you explain this?<br />
Critical incident 18. Ashley h<strong>as</strong> been in Serbia for a month – she is here to do<br />
conversation cl<strong>as</strong>ses with <strong>the</strong> Law students. She’s met a lot <strong>of</strong> people, her<br />
future colleagues from <strong>the</strong> Department, <strong>an</strong>d she const<strong>an</strong>tly gets invitations for<br />
dinners <strong>an</strong>d c<strong>of</strong>fees after work. Every time she goes out with her colleague<br />
she tries to pay, but usually <strong>the</strong> colleagues do not let her. There is always a<br />
conversation that goes like this:<br />
Ashley: Ok, so, let me pay.<br />
Colleague A: Oh, c’mon, no way! This is on me!<br />
Ashley: But it w<strong>as</strong> on you l<strong>as</strong>t time <strong>as</strong> well.<br />
Colleague A: No, no really, <strong>an</strong>d besides, it doesn’t matter – you’ll pay next<br />
time!<br />
Ashley: C<strong>an</strong>’t we at le<strong>as</strong>t split it?<br />
Colleague A: No, no, that’s OK! Let’s go!<br />
This happens every time <strong>an</strong>d Ashley is finding this situation quite irritating.<br />
Why might it be so?<br />
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