High Context Vs Low

Context Cultures
Aspects of Social framework of “High
Context” Culture

Relies on Implicit Communication

Emphasis on non verbal communication

Subordinates tasks to relationship: Ukrainian proverb- “Tell me

who your friend is & I’ll tell you who you are”
Emphasizes collective initiative & decision making- Chinese
proverb- “A single bamboo pole does not make a raft”
Views Employer/employee relationship as humanistic
Aspects of Social framework of
“High Context” Culture

Relies on intuition & trust rather than facts & statistics

Prefers indirect style in writing & speaking

Adheres to the spirit of the spirit of law
Aspects of Social framework of “Low
Context” Culture

Relies on explicit (literal) communication

Emphasis on Verbal communication- “Say what you mean and

mean what you say”
Separates job tasks from relationships

Emphasizes on individual initiatives & decision-making-

American proverb- “ Look out for number One”
Views Employer/employee relationship as mechanistic
Aspects of Social framework of
“Low Context” Culture

Relies on facts & statistics as supporting evidence-

American proverb- “Numbers never lie”
Prefers direct style in writing & speaking
Adheres to the spirit of the letter of the law
When conducting a business in a
high context culture:

Understand the contextual information

Be aware of the implied information that you send or others
send you.
Develop relationship before focusing on tasks
Expect decision making to be collaborative
Expect reliance on trust or intuition
Use indirect style in writing & speaking
Accept that contracts may change.
When conducting a business in a
low context culture:
Contextual information may be less important

Reliance on explicit & direct verbal communication

Accept that tasks are viewed as separate from relationships

Expect individual initiative & decision making

Support assertions with facts & statistical evidence.

Expect contracts to be firm.