The single most useful concept for understanding cultural differences in business communication is distinction of high and low context cultures. Explain this distinction by giving examples of various cultures.

The general terms "high context" and "low context" are used to describe broad-brush cultural differences between societies.

High context refers to societies or groups where people have close connections over a long period of time. Many aspects of cultural behavior are not made explicit because most members know what to do and what to think from years of interaction with each other. Your family is probably an example of a high context environment.

Low context refers to societies where people tend to have many connections but of shorter duration or for some specific reason. In these societies, cultural behavior and beliefs may need to be spelled out explicitly so that those coming into the cultural environment know how to behave.

High Contex

•Less verbally explicit communication, less written/formal information

•More internalized understandings of what is communicated

•Multiple cross-cutting ties and intersections with others

•Long term relationships

•Strong boundaries- who is accepted as belonging vs who is considered an "outsider"

•Knowledge is situational, relational.

•Decisions and activities focus around personal face-to-face relationships, often around a central person who has authority.

Examples:

Small religious congregations, a party with friends, family gatherings, expensive gourmet restaurants and neighborhood restaurants with a regular clientele, undergraduate on-campus friendships, regular pick-up games, hosting a friend in your home overnight.

Low Context

•Rule oriented, people play by external rules

More knowledge is codified, public, external, and accessible.

•Sequencing, separation--of time, of space, of activities, of relationships

•More interpersonal connections of shorter duration

•Knowledge is more often transferable

•Task-centered. Decisions and activities focus around what needs to be done, division of responsibilities.

Examples:

Large US airports, a chain supermarket, a cafeteria, a convenience store, sports where rules are clearly laid out, a motel. While these terms are sometimes useful in describing some aspects of a culture, one can never say a culture is "high" or "low" because societies all contain both modes. "High" and "low" are therefore less relevant as a description of a whole people, and more useful to describe and understand particular situations and environments.