Cross-cultural Communication Skills in River Town

From the Perspective of Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions Theory

Abstract

According to Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory, the Sino-American cultural conflict depicted in American writer Peter Hessler's documentary book River Town focuses on four aspects: Individualism versus Collectivism, Power Distance, Long-term versus Short-term, Indulgence versus Restraint. Hessler experienced inevitable cultural conflicts in physical and mental aspects. Finally good things wear out. He fitted into Chinese life and fell in love with this Chinese town. Through the textual analysis of the cases in the book, the cultural conflicts between China and the United States and the intercultural communication skills used by the cross-boundary communicators can be clarified. Under the background of reform and opening up, Chinese society has undergone great changes, the stereotype of traditional China has been broken in River Town. Thus, it is very important to use intercultural communication skills in different places according to local conditions and times.