Cultural Barriers
On this page 7 headings
Start here You ask a friend, “Shall we go?” He shakes his head side to side. Does it mean yes or no? It depends on where he grew up. That is a cultural barrier.
What is culture?
Culture is passed down from one generation to the next. It gives people a way of seeing the world and understanding life.
Today, because of liberalisation (opening up of the economy) and globalisation (the world working together), offices have people from many cultures. This cultural diversity is good. But it can also create communication barriers.
In one line: People from different cultures read the same message in different ways. Exam words: culture, generation, liberalisation, globalisation, cultural diversity.
Example 1: the head nod in India
- In some places, people move the head side to side for “no” and up and down for “yes”.
- In some other parts of India, people move the head side to side for both “yes” and “no”.
- A slow side-to-side nod means “yes”.
- A fast side-to-side nod means “no”.
So the same gesture can mean opposite things.
Example 2: direct and indirect styles
| Culture | Style | What can go wrong |
|---|---|---|
| German | Very direct and to the point. Direct eye contact is expected, especially in serious talks. | An Indian used to an indirect style may find this rude. |
| Japanese | Usually indirect. Answers may be ambiguous (not clear) to keep harmony, avoid loss of face (embarrassment), or be polite. | This is similar to the Indian style, which is often polite and indirect. |
In one line: Some cultures say things directly; others hint politely — and each can misread the other. Exam words: direct communication, indirect communication, eye contact, harmony, loss of face.
High-context and low-context cultures
Cultures differ in how much the context (the situation around the words) affects the meaning.
High-context cultures — for example China, Korea, Japan and Vietnam: - People rely a lot on non-verbal and subtle situational cues. - A person’s official status, place in society and reputation matter a lot. - What is not said can matter more than what is said.
Low-context cultures — for example Europe and North America: - People rely mainly on spoken and written words. - Body language and formal titles are less important.
Comparing the two styles
| Low context | High context |
|---|---|
| Prefer direct verbal interaction | Prefer indirect verbal interaction |
| Generally less skilled at reading non-verbal cues | Generally more skilled at reading non-verbal cues |
| Say “no” directly | Talk around the point; avoid saying “no” |
| Messages are highly structured, with details; stress the literal (exact word) meaning | Messages are simple, sometimes ambiguous; understand visual messages easily |
Everyday example Your manager asks, “Can you finish this by tonight?” A low-context reply: “No, I can finish it by tomorrow noon.” A high-context reply: “Hmm… it’s a bit difficult… I’ll try.” — the real message is “probably not”, but it is never said.
In one line: In low-context cultures the words carry the meaning; in high-context cultures the situation carries much of it. Exam words: high-context culture, low-context culture, non-verbal cues, situational cues, status, literal meaning, ambiguous.
How to overcome cultural barriers
- Study other cultures properly.
- Learn new cultural values.
- Observe people, and accept their cultures.
- Develop open-mindedness.
- Understand the mannerisms (usual habits and gestures) of other people.
In one line: Learn, observe and accept other cultures with an open mind. Exam words: open-mindedness, cultural values, mannerisms, acceptance.