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Unit 7: Additional Points to the Model of Synthetic Cultures

Unit 7: Additional Points to the Model of Synthetic Cultures. Cross-cultural Communication Styles Intercultural Business Communication Instructor: Hsin-Hsin Cindy Lee, PhD. Contents. Part I Low-Context VS High-Context Cultures Part II Poly-chronic VS Mono-chronic Cultures

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Unit 7: Additional Points to the Model of Synthetic Cultures

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  1. Unit 7: Additional Points to the Model of Synthetic Cultures Cross-cultural Communication Styles Intercultural Business Communication Instructor: Hsin-Hsin Cindy Lee, PhD

  2. Contents • Part I Low-Context VS High-Context Cultures • Part II Poly-chronic VS Mono-chronic Cultures • Part III Exercises • Checkpoint & References

  3. Low-Context VS High-Context Cultures Part I

  4. Low-Context VS High-Context Cultures Low-Context and High-Context cultures suggest two different types of communication. The ‘context ‘here indicates the messages hidden in the (oral) communication or background information underling the exchange.

  5. High Context Culture • A high-context communication is one in which most of the information is either in the physical context or internalised in the person. • The message is very little coded, explicit or transmitted in the language. • Meaning does not always have to be put into words • Non-verbal clues are also important. • E.g. ‘Yes’ can mean anything from ‘I agree’, to ‘I am listening’, to ‘no’! • Relationship building is important in high-context culture .

  6. Low-Context Culture • A low-context communication is just the opposite. • The mass of information is vested in the explicit code. • In low-context cultures meaning is made very clear, and put into words. • These cultures tend to be task-centred rather than relationship-centred.

  7. High context Japan Greece Spain Italy UK France USA Scandinavia Germany Low Context Examples

  8. Poly-chronic VS Mono-chronic Cultures Part II

  9. Mono-chronic VS Poly-chronic Cultures

  10. Poly-chronic VS Mono-chronic Cultures Poly-chronic Culture Mono-chronic Culture In poly-chronic culture, it is acceptable to do several things at the same time. People are able to attend to multiple events simultaneously. The approach to deadlines is flexible. In mono-chronic cultures, one thing is done at a time People tend to handle events sequentially. Stress are laid on meeting deadlines and schedules.

  11. Exercises Part III

  12. Case 1 • A British businessman – Andrew Gibson- in Saudi Arabia is keen to secure an important deal. • He has a tight schedule, and can’t afford to waste any time. • His frustration increases because he has to wait for ages to get an appointment with his Saudi partner. • Meetings never start on time, and when they do, there are frequent interruptions, with people coming in to get papers signed. • The Saudi partner even takes pone calls when his visitor is in the room. • Andrew feels very uneasy at the end.

  13. Your Analysis of Case 1 • Andrew Gibson represents …….. culture. In his culture, people tend to ……… • Mr. Gibson’s Saudi partner comes from ………... culture. In his culture, people tend to ………… • Mr. Gibson felt frustrated mainly because …………..

  14. Case 2 Roberto: Miss Thomas! How nice to see you. Mrs Thomas: How are you, Roberto? Roberto: Fine, fine. Thank you. What can I get for you? Mrs Thomas: Well, to start with I’d like half a dozen eggs. Roberto: Yes. No problem. Ms Thomas: And then I’d like 500 grams of butter. Roberto: Yes. Ah, Octavio! Good to see you. Come estas? Octavio: Bien, gracias. And you? Roberto: Bien. How can I help you? Octavio: I need some bananas. Roberto: Yes, of course. Hello! Rosita! Mrs Thomas: Roberto, I thought you were helping me. Roberto: But I am helping you, Ms Thomas.

  15. Your Analysis of Case 2 • Roberto represents …….. culture. In his culture, people tend to ……… • Mrs. Thomas represents ………... culture. In her culture, people tend to ………… • Mrs. Thomas felt confused mainly because …………..

  16. Analysis Andrew Gibbson Mrs. Thomas Saudi business man Roberto In a mono-chronic culture, people get the exclusive attention of whomever they talking to, and your business is completed before the business of someone else is started. E.g. Germany, USA Poly-chronic cultures are less linear and more dynamic; several transactions can be carried out at the same time. It’s rude for Roberto, for example, to ignore other customers. If you are meeting with someone in a poly-chronic culture, don’t expect him/her to close the door or switch off the cell phone. (E.g. Taiwan, Arabia)

  17. Checkpoint How do people of Low-Context culture communicate? How do people of High-Context Culture communicate? How do people of Poly-chronic Culture do daily routine? How do people of Mono-chronic Culture do daily routine? Have you done the exercises? Do you have any questions? What is your communication style? What kind of culture do you come from?

  18. References • Gert Jan Hofstede, Paul B. Pedersen Geert Hofstede (2002) Exploring Culture. Intercultural Press. • Craig Storti (1994) Cross-Cultural Dialogues. Intercultural Press. • Robert Gibson (2002) Intercultural Business Communication. Oxford University Press. -End-

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