【推荐1】Four Common Communication Mistakes

It can be embarrassing to make mistakes in communication. For example, if you send an email with a grammatical error, you can end up looking unprofessional.     1     For example, they can push away colleagues or customers. Now let's look at some common communication mistakes.

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Spelling, tone and grammatical mistakes can make you look careless. That's why it's essential to check all of your communications before you send them. Sometimes, it can be difficult to see errors in your own work. So consider asking a colleague to look over key documents before you distribute them.

You always deliver bad news by email.

Would you announce something bad to others by email? If you did, you could upset them! Written communication channels don't allow you to soften difficult messages with non-verbal（非言语的）clues, such as body language.     3     So if you need to deliver bad news, do this in person.

You tend to avoid difficult conversations.

At some point, you will need to give negative feedback（反馈意见）. It may seem wise to avoid such conversation.     4     For instance, you may find that a small problem you “let go” soon grows into a big one. Preparation is the key to handling difficult conversations. Learn to give clear, actionable feedback.

You are reacting instead of responding.

Have you ever shouted at a colleague in upset, or sent a brief and unfriendly reply to an email, without thinking your point through? If so, you're likely to have reacted emotionally, instead of responding calmly. The kind of emotional reaction can damage your reputation.     5    

【推荐2】Each one of us has different natural and acquired abilities. Some learn new languages quickly, and some are more social than others.     1     Obviously, people interpret what you’re saying in different ways, based on the way they think.

    2     While looking to convince others, we rely on our own thinking tools and strengths. It doesn’t matter if you’re trying to persuade your boss to adopt a new idea. But when you need to persuade your colleague, switch chairs with your listener and ask yourself what his or her strength is. Sure, you take into account what’s important to them.

    3     Try to fit someone you work with into the different thinking categories—Individual thinking or Group thinking.To quickly identify if someone thinks better individually or in a group, I ask one simple question: Did you prefer studying by yourself or in a group in high school? You’ll find out most people will answer within a blink of an eye.

Then how to communicate better after identifying individual or group thinking?     4     Individual thinkers need some time by themselves to digest a new idea. Therefore, try sending them suggestions by e-mail or introduce a new idea and then giving them some time to think about it. Group thinkers will react much better when talking about anew idea.     5     When group thinkers ask to talk about something, they’re actually asking you to brainstorm with them to help find a solution using conversation.

【推荐3】To dozens of kindergartners in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, it was as if Italian cook Franco Bergamino was performing a “magic show.” He was greeted by waves of oohs and ahhs as the kids watched him magically turn dough, egg, sugar and fruit into artwork.

The scene was part of the activities of the 2021 World Week of Italian Cuisine's Chongqing station. The sixth edition of the World Week of Italian Cuisine was held in late November in several cities across China. The event aimed to fully present the Italian cooking tradition and bring a real Italian taste.

“This year's event stressed tradition and sustainability（可持续性）. Both are also the Italian diet spirit，which is to use simple ingredients to make nutritious diet,” said Guido Bilancini, Consul General of Italy in Chongqing. More than 17 restaurants, bars, hotels and supermarkets in southwestern Chinese cities including Chongqing, Chengdu and Guiyang participated in this year's event.

Salvatore Portoghese owns a Western-style restaurant in Chongqing. “What I've been trying to do is to bring diners in Chongqing a real taste of my hometown,” said Portoghese. He is devoted to combining local ingredients with traditional Italian cuisine. At this year's food week, he used jam made of locally-grown pumpkins to replace the traditional ketchup（番茄酱）to make a Burrata Cheese pizza, a typical Italian food.

The Mediterranean-style diet, emphasizing plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains and healthy fats, is catching on among Chinese food lovers. Even in the southwestern region where local cuisine is noted for distinctive spicy and pungent flavors and abundant use of oil and seasonings, a Mediterranean-style diet is favored by many youngsters pursuing a healthier lifestyle.

“Food is about connection and sharing. We believe the holding of such an event can help China and Italy explore more cooperation opportunities in areas where common interests lie,” said Bilancini.