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Styles of Communication:
Direct and Indirect
Interculturalists have identified numerous differences in communication styles from culture to culture. The most important and most studied distinctions are the direct/indirect, or low context/high context, dichotomy described below:
DIRECT/LOW CONTEXT: Context refers to the amount of innate and largely unconscious understanding a person can be expected to bring to a particular communication setting. Low context cultures, like the United States, tend to be more heterogeneous and individualist and accordingly have evolved a more direct communication style. Less can be assumed about the other person in a heterogeneous society, and less is known about others in a culture where people prefer independence, self-reliance, and a greater emotional distance from each other. They cannot depend merely on manipulating context--not doing or not saying something that is always done or said in that situation--or communicating nonverbally to make themselves understood; they must rely more on words, and on those words being interpreted literally. Getting or giving information is the goal of most communication exchanges.
INDIRECT/HIGH CONTEXT: In high context cultures, such as Thailand, which tend to be homogeneous and collectivist, people carry within them highly developed and refined notions of how most interactions will unfold, of how they and the other person will behave in a particular situation. Because people in high context cultures already know and understand each other quite well, they have evolved a more indirect style of communication. They have less need to be explicit and rely less on words to convey meaning-and especially on the literal meaning of the spoken word-and more on nonverbal communication. People often convey meaning or send messages by manipulating the context. Because these cultures tend to be collectivist, people work closely together and know what everyone else knows. The overriding goal of the communication exchange is maintaining harmony and saving face.
| The exercise below helps you define the differences. In the underlined space before each of the numbered statements, write "I" if you think it applies to a culture where communication is indirect/high context, or "D" if communication is direct/low context.
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CHARACTERISTICS & BEHAVIORS
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1. Communication is like that between twins. |
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2. People are reluctant to say no. |
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3. Use of intermediaries or third parties is frequent. |
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4. Use of understatement is frequent. |
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5. It's best to tell it like it is. |
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6. It's okay to disagree with your boss at a meeting. |
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7. "Yes" means yes. |
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8. "Yes" means I hear you. |
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9. Communication is like that between two casual acquaintances. |
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10. It's not necessary to read between the lines. |
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11. People engage in small talk and catching up before getting down to business. |
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12. Business first, then small talk. |
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13. Lukewarm tea means all is not well. |
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14. Lukewarm tea means the tea got cold. |
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15. People need to be brought up to date at a meeting. |
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16. People are already up to date. |
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17. The rank/status of the messenger is as important as the message. |
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18. The message is what counts, not who the messenger is. |
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19. People tell you what they think you want to hear. |
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