Communicating Differently

Do you find yourself communicating differently with people from different groups and cultures?

If yes, in what ways do you communicate differently?

I do find that I communicate differently with people in my neighborhood who are religious.  I tend to tone down my language and speak briefly and positive.  I don’t want to offend them, and I also have known the small group here to be nosey and tell everyone in their circle what I say and do. 

I also find that I speak differently to people on the telephone than I do in person.  One reason is because I cannot see their body language and this is a huge part of how I notice they are taking my replies and requests.   Although I have no idea what culture the people I am speaking with are from, it is the non-visible communication factor that makes me speak differently. 

I speak differently with people of different age groups.  I listen more to those who are older than me and that is a respect factor.  I talk softer to those who are children, and bluntly to those who I assume are around my age. 

For me, it is the feelings that I have about each culture and group that make my reaction so.  When I see teenagers I think of coming into their own, pressure from peers and family, and this causes me to speak to them securely as well as being deeply concerned in their feelings and needs.  So the goals that I have put forth in what I want to portray to each individual come out in my speaking as well as how I speak.