Time Orientation, Communication Style, Greeting’s Behaviour and Business

Relationship in High/Low Context Communication Cultures:

A Case Study of Japan and India

Abstract
Different countries all over the world may differ in terms with their ways of communications and can
often lead to misunderstandings. Japan and India have enjoyed their cordial relations since April 28, 1952 through
signing a peace treaty and established their diplomatic relations. Japan belongs to high context culture while India
is closer to a low context culture with certain high context cultural features. In spite of this, they still vary in
different aspects and may face various barriers.

Aim of the Study

We should be aware that there are specific and known differences between other countries in their culture,
communication, time orientation, behavior and some other aspects. Lack of understanding of these factors can
develop into problems and misunderstanding. In order to overcome these barriers, we should learn other countries
culture, for us to understand and gain mutual respect. My purpose with this study is to have a deeper
comprehension about the cultural differences between Japan and India.

Time Orientation
It is defined as a cultural or national preference toward past, present or future thinking. Future – oriented
cultures tend to run their lives by the clock. Japan belongs to this culture, as we all know Japanese people are time
– conscious and gives emphasis to time management. Their attitude with punctuality is very strict. When doing
business in Japan, arriving early in an appointment is a show of respect.
Past – oriented cultures are much more laid back in the way they look at time. India is under this culture.
Indians see calendar as an advantage, taking your time is more often seen as doing thing properly and organized.
They don’t mind even how long they will wait for the train to arrived even though it is already late for a couple of
minutes, hours or even a full day.

Communication Style

Communication styles are the broad ways in which people tend to communicate with others. Types of
communication are the broad ways in which individuals appear to communicate with others. Four major forms of
communication exist: passive, passive-aggressive, aggressive and assertive. Knowing various forms of communication
will dramatically enhance the consistency of your relationships.

JAPAN

VERBAL
Indirect communication
 They are more attentive to the posture, expression
and tone of voice of the speaker to draw meaning
from a conversation and rely less to convey
context. They use ambiguous speech and
understatements in order to convey their message.
Refusals
 Japanese people are polite enough not to say flat no
or negative response – even they don’t agree with
you. Instead, focus on their hints of hesitation.
NON-VERBAL
Physical Contact
 They will apologize immediately if they
happen to bump into or brush against you by
accident.
Body Language
 They restrain themselves from gesturing
during conversation. To avoid gestures, they
simple hold their hands together.
Laughter
 In order to avoid uncomfortable situations, they
may smile and cover their mouth when they giggle.
INDIA
VERBAL
Indirect Communication
 Indians are polite and communicate indirectly.
Direct communication is reserved for relationships
with a high level of trust or crucial situations.
Refusals
 They indirectly refuse by saying maybe or I’ll my
best.
Silence
 They tend to remain silent for disagreement.
Silence
 They tend to remain silent for disagreement.
Hierarchy
 Indian society's social hierarchy also
affects communication patterns in many situations.
In different ways, reverence and deference to
authority figures in and outside the home are
normal,
such as being sensitive about how one declines
requests and disagrees with the opinion of a senior.
Eye contact
 They avoid eye contact to strangers since it
can be considered rudeness.
Facial Expressions
 Japanese maintain a placid expression and
smile during interaction regardless of
whatever topic.
Nodding
 This is their sign of politeness where they
often nod to acknowledge that they are
attentively listening to you.
Feet
 Displaying the soles of your feet is
considered rude.
Gestures
 They clasp their hands in front of their chest
as a sign of gratitude and respect.
NON-VERBAL
Physical Contact
 Indians tend not to touch others where it can
be prevented, but when speaking as long as
they are the same gender, they can touch
someone's arm or hand. Across most of
India, body interaction between the sexes is
kept limited. Hugging, hugging and holding
hands are not customary, for instance.
Personal Space
 In general, Indians value the personal space
of each other and the distance of an arm is
prevalent during interactions. This is
basically a close proximity to what is
familiar to Westerners. They may be more
isolated from others who are of the opposite
sex.
Eye Contact
 In general, Indians tend to maintain limited
eye contact or avert their eyes from the
opposite sex rather than maintain eye
contact.
Whistling and Winking
 Both these actions are considered sexually
suggestive in India.
Head Tilt
 People may tilt their head to the side or
shake it to both sides to indicate agreement
and understanding. This head movement is
similar to the Western gesture indicating “I
don’t know” with a shrug of the shoulders
and tilting one’s head to the side.
 Gestures
 It is considered to be accusatory to point the
index finger at another. The use of your
whole palm facing down is a more respectful
way to beckon or respond to others.
Head: The head is considered to be the holiest part
of one's body.
Feet: Feet are thought to be the dirtiest part of the
body, and displaying the soles of one’s feet or
touching people with one’s feet is considered rude.

Greetings Behaviour
Greeting is an act of communication in which human beings make their presence known to each other deliberately
, to display attention to each other and to indicate a sort of relationship (usually cordial) or social status (formal or
informal) between people or groups of people who come into contact with each other.

Japan
 Use formal titles when addressing someone for the first time.
 The casual bow is used when informally greeting someone or walking past someone of a higher status.
 The deepest, most polite bow expresses sincerest gratitude or apology.
 To hold a bow longer than another shows respect or humility.
India
 It is common for people to greet with the traditional Hindu greeting of “Namaste” (‘I greet the divine within you’
and accompanied with a nod of the head or a bow depending on the status of the person you are greeting.
 A common gesture when greeting is pressing the palms together or a prayer position.
 Verbal greetings vary between regions and also differ depending on people’s relationships.
 Muslims may greet by shaking the hand of their counterpart accompanied by the phrase, “Salaam”. 
 It is generally appropriate for men and women to shake hands and it is advisable to wait for a woman to extend
her hand first. Some Muslim or Hindu men and women may not wish to touch a person of the opposite gender.
 Avoid greeting someone with a hug or a kiss unless you know the person well.
 Indians expect people to greet the eldest or most senior person first. When greeting elders, some Indians may
reach down and touch the ground or the elder’s feet as a sign of respect.
 It is advisable to address people by their title (Mr, Mrs, etc.) and last name until they have indicated that you may
move on to a first-name basis.
 It is common to add the gender-neutral honorific suffix ‘-ji’ onto a first name to show respect towards a person, a
group or inanimate objects.

Business Relationship
Business relations are connections between stakeholders in the process of businesses, such as employer–employee
relationships, managers as well as outsourced business partners.

Japan
Group oriented
 A Japanese person is that they can regard themselves as a representative or spokesperson of their organization,
even though you can distinguish them as an individual (as well as Japan). This group-orientation implies that a
person is sometimes unable to decide on issues there and then without first consulting their team. Decisions are
taken by the consensus of groups.
Relationship Oriented
 Japanese are very relationship focused. They rarely accept a 'rapid contract' and tend to build relationships that
will last. In order to develop the trust and commitment required to help business in the future, they seem to want
to know a great deal about their partners as part of this long-term approach to business relationships.

India
Relationship Oriented
 Indians tend to work with those they know and trust. Trust is the secret to good business for them, and they'll
be looking for an honest commitment from you to the partnership. Relatives and colleagues are also part of their
company networks.

STRATEGIES TO OVERCOME CULTURAL BARRIERS

 Make sure to have a clear and polite communication by using simple words and using visual methods.
 Learn and understand each other’s different cultures in order to avoid conflicts in beliefs and norms.
 Exchanging information or knowledge about your own culture can be a great factor to enhance a harmonious
relationship.
 Accommodate cultural differences by being sensitive and respecting cultural differences.
 In a workplace, diversity training can potentially foster inclusive work culture, encourage teamwork and
leadership, create new opportunities and create a positive work culture.
 Time Orientation,
Communication Style,
Greeting’s Behaviour
and Business Relationship
in High/Low Context
Communication Cultures:
A Case Study of Japan and India

SUBMITTED BY:
Sofia Joy Tiberio