Haitian Communication Culture and the Diverse Patterns Influencing Relationships With Others
This is a formal paper that requires correct grammar, punctuation, and APA format. This paper will also be used to post for a Group Discussion to the Cultural Communication Discussion. You do not need to do a running head for this paper, nor do you need an abstract. Use the following headings as a template and answer all questions. This paper is worth 20 points (20%) of your course grade. Eighteen of the points (18%) are for thorough content in the paper. The other 2 points (2%) are allotted for the correct use of APA format for at least three references and three citations in the body of the paper. One citation must come from a refereed journal article, one from a textbook, and one from an Internet source.
This paper has no page limit, but most students complete it in 5 to 7 pages excluding the reference list.
Discuss your own culture’s pattern of communication using Purnell’s Domains of Culture as a guide. When your personal communication practices differ from what is in the scholarly literature, posit why. See the variant cultural characteristics as a guide. Speak to each one of the following points:
Identify your cultural ancestry. If you have more than one cultural ancestry, chose the one with which you most closely associate.
Explore the willingness of individuals in your culture to share thoughts, feelings, and ideas. Identify any area of discussion that would be considered taboo?
Explore the practice and meaning of touch in your culture. Include information regarding touch between family members, friends, members of the opposite sex, and health-care providers.
Identify personal spatial and distancing strategies used when communicating with others in your culture. Discuss differences between friends and families versus strangers.
Discuss your culture’s use of eye contact. Include information regarding practices between family members, friends, strangers, and persons of different age groups.
Explore the meaning of gestures and facial expressions in your culture. Do specific gestures or facial expressions have special meanings? How are emotions displayed?
Are there acceptable ways of standing and greeting people in your culture?
Discuss the prevailing temporal relation of your culture. Is the culture’s worldview past, present, or future-oriented? Temporality also includes punctuality.
Discuss the impact of your culture on your nursing and/or health care. Be specific, not something that is very general.
Please follow the instructions
Haitian Culture
Student’s Name
Professor’s Name
Institutional Affiliations
Course Name and Number
Due Date
Haitian Culture
The concept of cultural competence has prompted healthcare providers to develop a deep understanding of subtle cultural sensitivity to provide appropriate care to diverse populations based on their needs. In this context, communication is a fundamental component that these professionals use to gain awareness of ethnographic beliefs. Purnell and Fenkl (2021) indicate that Purnell’s Domain of Culture offers a detailed framework for assisting these experts with the diverse cultural characteristics and components of communities, including communication. It demonstrates the various elements influencing people’s interaction with locals and outsiders, their ease of sharing feelings, and other elements (Purnell, 2018). In this context, this paper will explore Haitian communication culture and the diverse patterns or nuances that influence relationships with others.
Although my ancestry is mixed race, I identify more with African descent. Since my early days as a child, I have recognized the notable inclination of my family towards this origin. Diverse practices of my community also associate with and acknowledge this relationship, including a considerable pride to have descended from these immigrants. For instance, Haitian Creole is the dominant language in my family. It is rich in African grammar, and we often consider it a primary link to our forefathers. Even the family traditions, such as the ultimate respect for the elders, the importance of family structures, and closeness reflect our descent. As a result, this association has significantly impacted my growth, life perspectives, and expectations.
Interaction with Purnell’s Domain of culture has enabled me to thoroughly introspect my people’s ways of communication and the impact this element has on the care services in the region (Purnell, 2018). Surprisingly, I was unaware of most aspects because they were standard practices. For instance, this model has enabled me to understand the delicate communication patterns I initially overlooked as a norm (Purnell & Fenkl, 2021). For instance, Haitians are expressive and demonstrate an unmatched willingness to share information with others. Their interactive nature makes sharing their feelings, thoughts, and ideas a seamless aspect that rarely faces significant barriers other than when one encounters uneducated individuals who can only use Creole. Cook Ross (2010) agrees with this observation by confirming that Haitians are ever cheerful and excited about learning while assisting others to learn from them. However, considering their deep Christian linkage, discussing sensitive sexuality issues, especially the increasing homosexuality, is taboo in this culture (The Conversation, 2019). Thus, this understanding illustrates the ease of healthcare providers communicating with Haitians and identifies sensitive areas they require extra care while exploring.
Touch in Haiti is one of the most common gestures of respect. Purnell and Fenkl (2021) acknowledge that this is a traditional technique of demonstrating respect and affection between different communicating individuals. The common understanding is that Haitians consider touching a form of expression dominant in their culture. Despite its widespread use, the level of familiarity between different people determines the type of touch used. For instance, Purnell and Fenkl (2021) indicate that Haitians are fond of using handshakes while establishing conversations with strangers and professionals like healthcare providers. However, kissing remains the dominant style among friends in informal environments. The main exception is that men refrain from kissing women, but children show their respect to their seniors through a cheek kiss (Purnell & Fenkl, 2021). In everyday conversations, these individuals maintain frequent touches like patting on the shoulder to emphasize conversation points. In other scenarios, women even walk while holding each other’s hands as a sign of their close friendship. However, Purnell and Fenkl (2021) indicate that the suspicion of homosexuality gradually fades this rich touch culture in the community.
Since touch is an acceptable practice among Haitians, including in formal and informal conversations, Haitians often stay close to the person they are communicating with, irrespective of their position. This spatial and distancing tactic closely reflects the African heritage integrated into this community that identifies closeness as a sign of respect and trust. Cook Ross (2010) indicates that personal space does not attract much attention in Haitian culture like in America. As a result, interactions between family members and friends are often close, as demonstrated by holding hands, patting, and kissing (Purnell & Fenkl, 2021). However, the distance may be a bit visible when interacting with strangers as a sign of respect for their space. Despite this aspect, Haitians appreciate the closeness of their healthcare providers but maintain notable respect in ot...