When people think about communication they usually focus on the ability to send the message. It is important to note that the ability to listen or to receive the message is just as important. Listening is a skill that needs to be developed; it does not just happen without effort. Listening accounts for half of the entire communication process.

When listening to another person or reading another person’s message, it is important to evaluate where it is coming from. Is the subject matter important to this person, or is it a casual message? Does the sender have any background experience that would shape their beliefs and expectations? You should be able to draw some conclusions in the beginning, but do not let them overshadow the information that you are collecting.

When being a good listener, pay attention to all the cues that are given to you. These are the same cues that you focus on when you are sending a message to another person. Some examples are voice intonation, message length, emotion, and body language. A common mistake that most listeners make is that they start thinking about a reply before they fully take in the message that is sent to them. This is what occurs anytime an interruption occurs. You obviously can’t listen and interpret meaning if you are busy worrying what your next word will be.

In addition to making sure that you receive the entire message, there are different steps you can take to make sure that the other person knows that you are listening or that you understand the words that they have sent to you. When you reply to what was said, the sender knows that you got the message. This feedback you reply allows the speaker to add to the meaning and make sure that you do indeed understand. If you are able to have a visible meeting with the person, you can use body language such as nodding and other gestures to show that you are eagerly listening. If you are having trouble understanding fully, try paraphrasing what has been said back to the speaker to clarify any points. Additionally, ask specific questions and tell the speaker to elaborate.

Difference Between Americans and French
1. Americans are highly explicit whereas French people are highly implicit.

2. Americans are optimst and positive whereas French people are pessimist and negative.

3. Ameicans are binary : "it is true or false" whereas French peolpe are contextual : "it depends".

4. Americans are like what is simple whereas Frech people like what is complex.

5. Americans do not lie whereas for French People lying is no beag deal.

6. Americans want to be loved whereas French people want to be independent.

7. Americans social identity is based on the individual whereas French People social identity is based on being a member of a group.

8. For Americans law and contracts must be respected ; everything is in the contract once it is signed whereas French People try not to get caught ; signing a contract is just the beginning.

9. For Americans a contract is not linked to the relationship whereas for French People the contract is strongly associated with the relationship.

10. Americans are process oriented : everything must be clear and documented ; reacts as planned whereas French People like grey zones and nuances ; very creative ; very quick to react and sometimes more inventive.

11. Americans try to get a win-win deal where as for French People if the other one wins, it means that I'll lose.

12. Americans value quality of work where as French People value quality of life.