Cross cultural communication: 3 basic aspects of culture

Summary

In this video, Adrian from Communications Plus discusses three key aspects of cross-cultural communication: perception of time, nonverbal communication, and level of directness. He differentiates between low and high context cultures, using examples from Germany and Colombia, and offers tips for navigating these differences effectively.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Cross-cultural communication is an integral part of everyday life and understanding its nuances can help in navigating different cultural situations comfortably.
• 🕒 Perception of time varies significantly between low context (e.g., Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA) and high context cultures (much of the rest of the world).
• ⏰ In low context cultures, time is seen as exact and punctuality is highly valued, as exemplified by German work meetings starting precisely on time.
• 🌞 High context cultures, such as in Colombia, view time more flexibly, with meetings starting later and a more relaxed approach to punctuality.
• 🏢 Each company, regardless of the country, can have its own unique time culture, making it essential to understand the specific expectations within the organization.
• 🤔 It's advisable to ask about the local time culture and, if uncertain, err on the side of being early rather than late.
• 🤐 Non-verbal communication, including posture, body language, eye contact, gestures, and facial expressions, is crucial and can vary greatly between cultures.
• 🚫 Gestures can have different meanings in different cultures, and it's recommended to minimize their use when in unfamiliar cultural contexts to avoid misunderstandings.
• 👥 Personal space preferences differ between low and high context cultures, with the former typically preferring more distance.
• 💬 The level of directness in communication is another key cultural aspect, with low context cultures relying on explicit communication and high context cultures assuming shared understanding without explicit statements.
• 🔍 In high context cultures, it's important to confirm expectations and agreements in writing to avoid misinterpretations.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video focuses on three basic aspects of cross-cultural communication: perception of time, nonverbal communication, and level of directness.

How does the speaker define culture in the context of this video?

The speaker defines culture as a system of ideas and behaviors that are accepted and familiar to a particular group of people.

What is the difference between low context and high context cultures?

Low context cultures, such as Western Europe and countries heavily influenced by Western Europe, rely on explicit communication and precise definitions. High context cultures, which include much of the rest of the world, rely more on implicit communication and understanding.

How does the perception of time differ between low context and high context cultures?

In low context cultures, time is perceived as very exact and defined, with punctuality being highly valued. In high context cultures, time is seen as a general approximation, and meetings may start later than scheduled.

What is an example of how time perception differs in a high context culture like Colombia?

In Colombia, meetings might be scheduled for the morning or evening without a specific start time, and people might trickle in around 10 a.m. even if the meeting was scheduled for 9 a.m.

Why is it important to be aware of the time culture in different countries or companies?

Being aware of the time culture helps in avoiding misunderstandings and shows respect for the local or company norms, which can be crucial in professional settings.

What are some aspects of nonverbal communication that the speaker mentions?

The speaker mentions posture, body language, eye contact, gestures, facial expressions, and personal space as aspects of nonverbal communication.

How does personal space differ between low context and high context cultures?

In low context cultures, people tend to have a larger personal space compared to high context cultures, where people might be more comfortable with closer proximity.

What is the speaker's advice on gestures in a cultural context that one is not familiar with?

The speaker advises to keep gestures to a minimum in a cultural context that one is not familiar with, to avoid misunderstandings as gestures can be interpreted differently across cultures.

How does the level of directness in communication differ between low context and high context cultures?

In low context cultures, communication is more explicit and straightforward, while in high context cultures, much is left unsaid and is assumed to be known, requiring more implicit understanding.

What is the speaker's recommendation for navigating high context cultures in business?

The speaker recommends double-checking expectations and agreements in written form with business partners and colleagues in high context cultures, to ensure clarity and avoid misunderstandings.