Unit 7: Additional Points to the Model
of Synthetic Cultures
Cross-cultural Communication Styles
Intercultural Business Communication
Instructor: Hsin-Hsin Cindy Lee, PhD
Contents
 Part I
Low-Context VS High-Context Cultures
 Part II
Poly-chronic VS Mono-chronic Cultures
 Part III
Exercises
 Checkpoint & References
Low-Context VS High-Context
Cultures
Part I
Low-Context VS High-Context Cultures
Low-Context and High-Context
cultures suggest two different
types of communication.
LowContext
HighContext
The ‘context ‘here indicates the
messages hidden in the (oral)
communication or background
information underling the exchange.
High Context Culture
 A high-context communication is one in which
most of the information is either in the physical
context or internalised in the person.
 The message is very little coded, explicit or
transmitted in the language.
 Meaning does not always have to be put into words
 Non-verbal clues are also important.
 E.g. ‘Yes’ can mean anything from ‘I agree’, to ‘I am
listening’, to ‘no’!
 Relationship building is important in high-context
culture .
Low-Context Culture
 A low-context communication is just the
opposite.
 The mass of information is vested in the explicit code.
 In low-context cultures meaning is made very clear,
and put into words.
 These cultures tend to be task-centred rather than
relationship-centred.
High context
Examples
Japan
Greece
Spain
Italy
UK
France
USA
Scandinavia
Germany
Low Context
Poly-chronic VS Mono-chronic
Cultures
Part II
Mono-chronic VS Poly-chronic Cultures
Mono-chronic
Culture
Poly-chronic
Culture
Poly-chronic VS Mono-chronic Cultures
Poly-chronic Culture
Mono-chronic Culture
 In poly-chronic culture,
 In mono-chronic
it is acceptable to do
several things at the
same time.
 People are able to
attend to multiple
events simultaneously.
 The approach to
deadlines is flexible.
cultures, one thing is
done at a time
 People tend to handle
events sequentially.
 Stress are laid on
meeting deadlines and
schedules.
Exercises
Part III
Case 1
 A British businessman – Andrew Gibson- in Saudi
Arabia is keen to secure an important deal.
 He has a tight schedule, and can’t afford to waste any
time.
 His frustration increases because he has to wait for
ages to get an appointment with his Saudi partner.
 Meetings never start on time, and when they do, there
are frequent interruptions, with people coming in to
get papers signed.
 The Saudi partner even takes pone calls when his
visitor is in the room.
 Andrew feels very uneasy at the end.
Your Analysis of Case 1
 Andrew Gibson represents …….. culture. In his culture, people tend
to ………
 Mr. Gibson’s Saudi partner comes from ………... culture. In his culture,
people tend to …………
 Mr. Gibson felt frustrated mainly because …………..
Case 2
Roberto: Miss Thomas! How nice to see you.
Mrs Thomas: How are you, Roberto?
Roberto: Fine, fine. Thank you. What can I get for you?
Mrs Thomas: Well, to start with I’d like half a dozen eggs.
Roberto:Yes. No problem.
Ms Thomas: And then I’d like 500 grams of butter.
Roberto:Yes. Ah, Octavio! Good to see you. Come estas?
Octavio: Bien, gracias. And you?
Roberto: Bien. How can I help you?
Octavio: I need some bananas.
Roberto:Yes, of course. Hello! Rosita!
Mrs Thomas: Roberto, I thought you were helping me.
Roberto: But I am helping you, Ms Thomas.
Your Analysis of Case 2
 Roberto represents …….. culture. In his culture, people
tend to ………
 Mrs. Thomas represents ………... culture. In her culture,
people tend to …………
 Mrs. Thomas felt confused mainly because …………..
Analysis
Andrew Gibbson
Mrs. Thomas
 In a mono-chronic culture,
people get the exclusive
attention of whomever they
talking to, and your
business is completed
before the business of
someone else is started.
 E.g. Germany, USA
Saudi business man
Roberto
 Poly-chronic cultures are
less linear and more dynamic;
several transactions can be
carried out at the same time.
 It’s rude for Roberto, for
example, to ignore other
customers.
 If you are meeting with
someone in a poly-chronic
culture, don’t expect
him/her to close the door
or switch off the cell phone.
(E.g. Taiwan, Arabia)
Checkpoint
How do people of Low-Context culture communicate?
How do people of High-Context Culture communicate?
How do people of Poly-chronic Culture do daily routine?
How do people of Mono-chronic Culture do daily routine?
Have you done the exercises? Do you have any questions?
What is your communication style?
What kind of culture do you come from?
References
 Gert Jan Hofstede, Paul B. Pedersen Geert
Hofstede (2002) Exploring Culture. Intercultural
Press.
 Craig Storti (1994) Cross-Cultural Dialogues.
Intercultural Press.
 Robert Gibson (2002) Intercultural Business
Communication. Oxford University Press.
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