Tips to follow in removing stains

Tip 1: Treat It Quickly - You are most likely to be able to successfully remove stains if you treat
them as quickly as possible. Every second counts. As soon as you see a spill blot it up immediately,
and take additional measures to make sure it does not set.
Tip 2: Blot It - Don't Rub It! - When treating stains your first instinct may be to rub the carpet,
clothing or upholstery fibers vigorously to scrub out the offending mark or spot, but resist the urge.
The best technique for removing stains is to blot at it with a clean white cloth so that the staining
material does not get pushed further into the fibers or other surface. Instead, when you blot your
goal is to transfer as much of the spill or drip into the white cloth you are blotting with.
Tip 3: Know What Type Of Stain It Is Before Treating It - It is always best to know what type
of spot or spill you are treating before you begin, such as ballpoint ink or barbecue sauce. This
allows you to plan how you will remove it, using the appropriate steps for that particular type. If
you can't figure out what the heck has caused your spot though, which sometimes happens, try
these techniques for how to remove mystery stains.
Tip 4: Make Sure Your Technique Is Appropriate For Your Surface - Not only do you need to
know what type of stain you have, but you also need to pay attention to what surface it is on, such
as washable clothing, carpet, the wall, wood, leather, etc. While removing stains with one
technique may be safe for one surface, it may ruin another. I've created a list of the top nine stain
removal techniques you should use in most situations, with explanations of how to do them, and
when they're most useful. That article should help you immensely in making sure you do it the
right way, the first time. In addition, this site makes a point of explaining what treatments work on
which types of spots and what surfaces, since I know how important this is, so use this information
to help you out when removing stains yourself.
Tip 5: Follow Care Label Instructions - Many items, including clothing, have care label
instructions for how they can be cleaned. In addition, upholstery generally have cleaning tags too.
Follow these instructions when removing stains and you are much less likely to ruin your item with
your efforts.
Tip 6: Start With The Most Conservative Method First, And Only Go To The Harsher
Treatments If Needed - You don't want to bring out the big guns first thing if simply rinsing the
item and presoaking will remove the mark, for example. That is because the more harsh the
treatment the more likely your item will get ruined in the process. Also, remember to be patient
during the process or removing stains. You may have to try a couple of things before you find the
one that works for your spot.
Tip 7: Do Not Combine Products & Solutions - Although you may need to try several different
methods for removing stains, as stated above, you should not be combining different stain
removers together in an attempt to do it. This can cause adverse chemical reactions, such as
formation of a toxic gas when you combine bleach and ammonia. To avoid this thoroughly rinse and
remove one treatment product before trying another one.
Tip 8: Check For Colorfastness - Especially when you start dealing with harsher treatments for
removing stains the products you are using may change the color of the fabric or fiber you are
trying to treat. There is nothing worse than a bright white spot on a red t-shirt where the stain
remover yes, removed the stain, but also the red dye in the shirt, for example. To avoid this
problem always follow these instructions for how to test for colorfastness in an inconspicuous area
of clothing, carpet or upholstery before using the product on the stained area.
Tip 9: Always Check To Make Sure The Stain Is Removed Before You Place It In The Dryer
- Nothing sets a stain worse than drying it in a dryer. If your method for removing stains does not
completely get rid of it after it has gone through the wash try another method right away, before
placing it in the dryer. Or, if that is not possible, such as if you don't have enough time to deal with

it right away, at the least let it air dry instead of placing it in the dryer. That way you will have a
better shot at removing the spot later, with another method.
Tip 10: Some Stains Just Won't Come Out - Try as you might some spots and spills just won't
come out, for reasons beyond your control. They are permanent. You must be patient when working
through the removing stains process, but also accept that some items are just a lost cause, and
there's nothing you can do about it. Instead, toss it or make it into a rag for your cleaning, and just
enjoy the rest of your day.
Intercultural education promotes the understanding of different people and cultures. It includes
teachings that accept and respect the normality of diversity in all areas of life. It makes every effort
to sensitize the learner to the notion that we have naturally developed in different ways. It seeks to
explore, examine and challenge all forms of "isms" and xenophobia, while promoting equal
opportunity for all. Intercultural education works to transform not only the individual but the
institution as a metaphor and mechanism for the transformation of society.
Intercultural communication is a form of communication that aims to share information across
different cultures and social groups. It is used to describe the wide range of communication
processes and problems that naturally appear within an organization or social context made up of
individuals from different religious, social, ethnic, and educational backgrounds. Intercultural
communication is sometimes used synonymously with cross-cultural communication. In this sense
it seeks to understand how people from different countries and cultures act, communicate and
perceive the world around them. Many people in intercultural business communication argue that
culture determines how individuals encode messages, what medium they choose for transmitting
them, and the way messages are interpreted.With regard to intercultural communication proper, it
studies situations where people from different cultural backgrounds interact. Aside from language,
intercultural communication focuses on social attributes, thought patterns, and the cultures of
different groups of people. It also involves understanding the different cultures, languages and
customs of people from other countries. Intercultural communication plays a role in social sciences
such as anthropology, cultural studies, linguistics, psychology and communication studies.
Intercultural communication is also referred to as the base for international businesses. There are
several cross-cultural service providers around who can assist with the development of intercultural
communication skills. Research is a major part of the development of intercultural communication
skills.
Dimensions of Intercultural Communication
1. Value-orientation
According to value-orientation (Kluckhohn & Strodtbeck) the dominant attitude towards basic
things in life are reflected in communication. The key value-dimensions are collected in the
following table.
2. Cultural values in work-life
Power distance index (PDI): The power distance index is defined as the extent to which the
less powerful members of organizations and institutions (like the family) accept and expect that
power is distributed unequally. In this dimension, inequality and power is perceived from the
followers, or the lower level. A higher degree of the Index indicates that hierarchy is clearly
established and executed in society, without doubt or reason. A lower degree of the Index
signifies that people question authority and attempt to distribute power.
Individualism vs. collectivism (IDV): This index explores the degree to which people in a
society are integrated into groups. Individualistic societies have loose ties that often only
relates an individual to his/her immediate family. They emphasize the I versus the we. Its
counterpart, collectivism, describes a society in which tightly-integrated relationships tie
extended families and others into in-groups. These in-groups are laced with undoubted loyalty
and support each other when a conflict arises with another in-group.

Uncertainty avoidance index (UAI): The uncertainty avoidance index is defined as a

society's tolerance for ambiguity, in which people embrace or avert an event of something
unexpected, unknown, or away from the status quo. Societies that score a high degree in this
index opt for stiff codes of behavior, guidelines, laws, and generally rely on absolute Truth, or
the belief that one lone Truth dictates everything and people know what it is. A lower degree in
this index shows more acceptance of differing thoughts/ideas. Society tends to impose fewer
regulations, ambiguity is more accustomed to, and the environment is more free-flowing.
Masculinity vs. femininity (MAS): In this dimension, masculinity is defined as a preference
in society for achievement, heroism, assertiveness and material rewards for success. Its
counterpart represents a preference for cooperation, modesty, caring for the weak and quality of
life. Women in the respective societies tend to display different values. In feminine societies, they
share modest and caring views equally with men. In more masculine societies, women are more
emphatic and competitive, but notably less emphatic than the men. In other words, they still
recognize a gap between male and female values. This dimension is frequently viewed as taboo in
highly masculine societies.
Long-term orientation vs. short-term orientation (LTO): This dimension associates the
connection of the past with the current and future actions/challenges. A lower degree of this index
(short-term) indicates that traditions are honored and kept, while steadfastness is valued. Societies
with a high degree in this index (long-term) views adaptation and circumstantial, pragmatic
problem-solving as a necessity. A poor country that is short-term oriented usually has little to no
economic development, while long-term oriented countries continue to develop to a point.
Indulgence vs. restraint (IND): This dimension is essentially a measure of happiness;
whether or not simple joys are fulfilled. Indulgence is defined as a society that allows relatively
free gratification of basic and natural human desires related to enjoying life and having fun. Its
counterpart is defined as a society that controls gratification of needs and regulates it by means
of strict social norms. Indulgent societies believe themselves to be in control of their own life and
emotions; restrained societies believe other factors dictate their life and emotions.
3. High and low context communication
Read the following story.
An international tourist group arrives in the hotel after a sightseeing tour in an Asian metropolis.
The group is very happy with sightseeing and shows its gratitude to the guide. The members of the
group ask the guide if she could come with them the next day again to make another tour, since a
lot is still to be seen in the city. The guide smiles and says that they forecasted rains for the next
day. In the morning the group gathers in the hotel lobby and sees that there is a beautiful sunny
day outside. Despite the nice weather, the guide does not show up.
High and low context dimension refers to the extent that communication is seen to be connected to
the situation and environment in which it takes place.
In low-context cultures verbal communication is emphasised, direct communication is preferred
and meaning is expressed explicitly. Word = meaning. Low-context communication is often
connected to individual cultures, e.g. the United States, Germany, Switzerland and Nordic
countries.
4. Time orientation
Cultures can also be examined according to how their members experience time and how time and
doing are interrelated. Orientation to time is also reflected to communication.
In different cultures past, present and future monochronic cultures people do one thing at a
time, orientate to one person at a time and exceptions to the script are not welcome. Time is
fragmented, timetables and punctuality are important. Time is considered very concretely: it can be
saved, used, spent and lost. Time can move slow or fast or even end.

In polychronic cultures the orientation is towards many things and persons at the same time. A
pre-set agenda is not necessary, exceptions and spontaneous situations are allowed.
Here are some countries/geographical areas grouped according to time orientation:
Very

monochronic:

Germany
Switzerland
North-America
Northern
Europe
- Japan

Somewhat

monochronic:

Australia
- Southern / Eastern Europe
China
Hong
Kong
Singapore
Taiwan
- South Korea

Polychronic:
Africa
Arab
world
- South / SouthEast
Asia
- Latin Americ

5. Other dimensions
Many dimensions of intercultural communication are interconnected.
Task vs. relationship orientation reflects whether a person emphasises doing and achieving or
maintaining relationships. Task oriented communication is goal oriented, communication forms a
means for accomplishing a certain task. Relationship oriented communication emphasises keeping
up the relationship, and talking serves this purpose.
Intercultural competence is the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with people
of other cultures. Intercultural competence is the ability to develop targeted knowledge, skills and
attitudes that lead to visible behaviour and communication that are both effective and appropriate
in intercultural interactions
8 basic behaviors
1. The most important mark of cultural competence is the display of respect. Respecting
cultural values and beliefs is imperative in intercultural interaction.
2. Orientation of knowledge means determining the context or where the individual comes
from that shapes his way of thinking and behavior. In other words, it describes an
individuals ability to recognize and acknowledge that people explain the world around them
in different ways with differing views of what is right and true.
3. Empathy is the capacity to feel how others feel. It is a conscious effort to know the reality of
others, rather than physically sharing their sadness or happiness.
4. Interaction management means taking initiative, taking turns during conversation and
knowing how to talk to others appropriately and effectively. It includes respecting the local
communication formalities and styles and watching for any change in the body language to
discern attentiveness, responsiveness, and perceptiveness in the interaction.
5. Understanding task role behavior is important during intercultural communication,
because it leads to group harmony, teamwork and productivity.
6. In intercultural communication, relational role behavior is vey essential. Relational
behavior refers to the serious attempt of a person to participate in establishing and
preserving a personal relationship that is trusting, harmonious, and supportive to each other.
7. Tolerance for Ambiguity- In intercultural communication , it is an accepted fact that
communication and working with people from different countries and cultures are always
difficult. Some may be reserved to communicate, while others are open for communication.
8. Emotional Expression and interaction Posture- For effective intercultural
communication to be ensured , understanding emotional expression and interaction is very
indispensible. Expression of emotions like joy, anger, sadness, shame, fear, etc. in social
behavior develops from culture to culture.