Leading with Cultural Intelligence, 2012a

This dimension also speaks to a culture’s orientation toward directness and honesty. Edward
Hall [5] popularized the terms “high-text” culture and “low-text” culture to describe cultural differences
between two different types of societies. The ideas are often used to describe the ways in which cultures
communicate and to understand what cultural constructs underlie the communication.
High-context cultures are societies in which people often make inferences; they leave things unsaid,
knowing that the other person would understand what was implied in the communication. People in these
societies tend to rely on groups for support. Low-context cultures are societies that are explicit and direct
in their communication. They generally are more comfortable relying on themselves, as individuals, and
working out solutions to problems. Like high-context cultures, relationships are important to low-context
societies; the difference is in the longevity of the relationships. Generally, low-context societies have many
relationships that are less intimate and close than those of high-context cultures.
Both types of cultural differentiations are illustrated in Table 2.3 "High and Low Context Culture
Descriptors".
Table 2.3 High and Low Context Culture Descriptors
Cultural
Context Countries/Cultures Descriptors
Spain
Mexico
Greece
Middle East
China
Japan
Korean
Less verbally explicit communication
Implied meanings
Long-term relationships
Decisions and activities focus around
How They Perceive the
Other Context
Low-context cultures are…
relationship-avoidant
too aggressive
focused too much on
High context
Thailand
personal, face-to-face relationships
tasks and goals
United States
Germany
Great Britain
Rule-oriented
Knowledge is public and accessible
Short-term relationships
High-context cultures…
are too ambiguous
are quiet and modest
Low context
Australia
Task-centered
ask a lot of questions
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Saylor.org
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