Cross-cultural marketer and international sales specialist

Music In Cultural Differences

by User ImageCindy on February 1, 2008

Cross-Cultural Communication Differences

When you travel it is easy to notice a lot of differences in the places you travel through compared to what you are used to back at home. All of your senses are involved. Even music sounds different.

You may not notice it immediately. From the taxi, to the hotel, you may have heard a more international “pop” music. It might not be your favorite kind of music. But it might not sound “foreign”.

If you have the time to turn the television in your hotel room onto the local channels, that’s where it starts to sound different. And if you happen to turn the television on when the older local generation are watching for entertainment, any music will definitely give you a cultural shock.

That shock makes you realize that the background noises to the other local shows sounds different too. If you leave the television on while putting your suitcase away, you realize this foreign television station has a different sound to it. It has a sound that may be totally unfamiliar to you. It might even make you feel physically uncomfortable.

You may even feel so uncomfortable you get homesick for sounds that are familiar to you. Too much and you get up to change television channels. You might even be lucky to find your own familiar shows dubbed into the local language. Even with the translation, you can hear that the familiar television shows have a distinctive rhythm. The local television shows will have a different overall sound to them.

People listen to different music in different countries. The language sung may have a different sound. Favorite musical instruments may be different. People have different musical tastes.

We all get used to the music and sounds in our environments. If you live in a foreign country long enough, you may well come to appreciate the local music that first made you feel uncomfortable. That is when you realize you have adapted to your host country.

With the increase in use of audio online, small business should pay attention to their choice of jingles and how any audio or sales presentations may come across in each specific foreign market targeted.

Don’t miss this guide on Get International Clients:
- The Secret Of Successful Intercultural Communication

Here are some articles on Mindset In Cross-Cultural Communication:
- Cross Cultural Vision Is More Important Than Learning International Habits
- Communication Across Cultures Is Better With A Whole Brain Approach
- How To Acquire The Right Mindset For International Sales
- The Right Mindset For International Negotiations
- Boost Your Company Way Out Of Your Local Recession Field

Here are some articles on Cross-Cultural Communication Differences:
- Free Courses, Content And Culture Scams
- Different Countries = Different Rules
- Different Eye Tracking For Different Cultures
- Music In Cultural Differences

Read more on Cross-Cultural Communication Challenges in this article:
- Small Businesses Learn From Intercultural Communication Difficulties To Grow Their International Business

And read even more in the…
Get International Clients International Sales Road Map

Connect with your international markets

Guide 5 - Connect With Your International Markets

How can you connect with your international clients?What communication do you need to connect with international markets?

Read about how to create your international marketing strategy.

Cultural web tools

Guide To Cultural Web Tools

How can you tweak your web site to improve your cross-cultural communication?

Lots of tools here.

Rate this:
2.5

Older post: International Marketing Strategy For Small Businesses - The Right Mindset

Newer post: Is Your Website Sabotaging Your International Business Development?


Cross-Cultural Marketing
Répertoire d'articles
pour plus de ventes à l'international

Music In Cultural Differences