Historically, communication between people from different cultures has been difficult. However, this has changed in recent times thanks to trade and immigration. As a result, multicultural communication has become an integral part of business and society.

Whether you're talking to your family or colleagues, it's important to remember that people are individuals with their values and opinions. Trying to understand someone's beliefs and customs can be challenging, but it's essential for effective communication.

An excellent way to start is by looking at the different types of cultures around the world. It will give you a sense of what you need to know and consider before travelling abroad or interacting with someone from another culture.

1. Acceptance of Cultural Difference: Individuals highly accepting of a different culture are generally comfortable and confident when interacting with others from that culture. They don't try to minimize the differences but try to adapt their behaviour to reflect these differences.

2. Adaptation to Cultural Difference: Individuals less accepting of a different culture are often more hesitant or cautious in their interactions with others from that culture. They may also need help communicating effectively with those from that culture because they cannot decode and interpret their interactions as accurately as they would like.

3. Intercultural Conflicts: Despite the best efforts of people from different cultures to be friendly and respectful, cross-cultural interactions will always conflict. As a result, it's essential to keep an open mind and remain calm when encountering conflict, even when you have strong emotions about it.

4. Respect: People from all cultures have their values and customs, but you should not be rude to them in any way. Be polite and respectful by giving them your regards when addressing them and showing that you care about their concerns.

5. Humour: When communicating in a business context, be aware of how you use humour and how the audience will receive it. Some cultures may find humour unacceptably sarcastic or inappropriate in their workplace.

6. Etiquette: In many cultures, courtesy and good manners are vital for business success. It includes being polite when meeting new people, asking for the same level of attention as you would your friends, and following proper protocol when discussing a project.

7. Avoid Slang: Some slang words are specific to particular cultures, so they should not be used when a non-native speaker is present.

8. Maintain Confidence: Confidence in your ability to communicate effectively is essential to cross-cultural communication. It's a positive sign that you're prepared to work with people from other cultures, and it can be a great asset when working in an international environment.

9. Be Authentic: It's not enough to be polite and respectful; you must show that you're genuinely interested in what your peers say.