Perception and Deception: A Mind-Opening Journey Across Cultures

by Joe Lurie

The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend. -- Henri Bergson Perception and Deception is a spirited, insightful, and timely exploration of cross-cultural miscommunication in an increasingly globalized, hyper-connected world. It offers an astonishing, intriguing, and sometimes tragic array of intercultural encounters that have gone wrong across the globe because of the limitations of our respective cultural lenses. The stories from over 70 countries (indexed by culture) are illuminated by the author's rich collection of international proverbs and sayings that reflect on the nature of perception, perspective, and “truth.” In addition to these stories and reflections about cross-cultural misunderstandings, this expanded edition contains exercises that can be used as springboards for developing intercultural competence. At the end of each chapter there are questions and activities designed to develop and heighten cultural self-awareness and sensitivity to people from other cultural backgrounds. These activities are suitable for individuals, students, and groups of all backgrounds and professions. This edition's new chapter, “Globalization and its Convergence Without Context,” focuses on spiraling cross-cultural mis-perceptions in the areas of religion, migration, and technology. Interactive intercultural activities help readers understand and develop useful strategies to cope with the disrupting cultural disconnects of globalization. For more information about Book presentations, intercultural training offerings for educators , businesses and NGOs, message the author Joe Lurie through

Joe Lurie is a cross-cultural communication trainer, teacher, and speaker, and Executive Director Emeritus of the University of California, Berkeley's International House, where he served for two decades until 2007. Since then, he’s been teaching intercultural communication classes at UC Berkeley and other institutions.

Joe has provided cross-cultural communication training for a variety of clients, including Google, Google.org, Chevron, American Express, the Peace Corps, The Institute of International Education, Tech Women, the World Affairs Council of Northern California, Upwardly Global, Street Smart Brazil, University of Colorado, Tsinghua University in Beijing, and UC Berkeley, among others.

A former Peace Corps Volunteer, he has directed programs in France, Kenya, and Ghana for the School for International Training, and served as Vice President for AFS Intercultural Programs in the USA. He co-authored Close Encounters of a Cross-Cultural Kind, and his writings have appeared in Harper’s Magazine, U.S. News & World Report, and The Mercury News, and highlighted on National Public Radio. Joe was featured in a national PBS documentary that aired in the U.S. and China and has been interviewed for the Travel Channel.

Joe holds an advanced degree and diploma in African Studies from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and an M.A. in English from McGill University in Montreal.

Visit the book's website at www.perceptionanddeception.com.
Enjoy a brief video of Joe

262 pages, Paperback

First published September 28, 2015

Reviews

[Erik Heen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Useful and thought-provoking

Lurie's book delivers a healthy dose of both entertainment and education. His engaging anecdotes that propel the book are sometimes humorous, sometimes tragic, often endearing--and always thought-provoking. The overall effect of this book jolts us from our Western ethnocentrism and we realize that, not only are other cultures not inferior, but that failing to regard them with an objective eye risks serious consequences all around. Read this book for enjoyment, use it as a guidebook, and absorb its lessons on multiculturalism. This book is an effective resource to help us engage in an increasingly interconnected world.