MODULE 3

High-Context and Low-Context Cultures

ASSIGNMENTS
1. Complete the table

WHAT THE BRITISH WHAT THE BRITISH WHAT FOREIGNERS

SAY MEAN UNDERSTAND
I hear what you say I disagree, don’t want to He agrees with me
discuss
With the greatest respect I don’t respect you Accepts respect

That’s not bad That’s good That’s poor

That is a very brave You are out of your mind He respects me
proposal
Quite good Disappointing Quite good
I would suggest Do it Do what you like
Oh, incidentally/ by the The primary purpose of That’s not important
way our discussion
I was a bit disappointed I am annoyed That’s not important
that
Very interesting Nonsense Impressed
I’ll bear it in mind Ill forget it soon He well remember
I’m sure it’s my fault Its your fault Why is it your fault
You must come for Polite invitation, doesn’t I will get invitation soon
dinner mean anything
I almost agree I don’t agree He will soon agree with
the idea
I only have a few minor Rewrite Couple mistakes has been
comments made
Could we consider some I don’t like the idea Didn’t decide yet
other options

2. Проаналізуйте ситуації.
№1
Location: Dharamsala, India
Student: Female, 20
Three weeks after I arrived in Dharamsala, India, my host family and I were
invited for a special dinner at a relative’s house. I knew the dinner would last for
hours and hours, and I couldn't leave to study for my exam the next day because it
would be considered rude to do so. Therefore, I stayed and studied during the long
preparation of the dinner. I read and highlighted our textbook, A Joyful Picnic for
Those Who Have Come from Afar.
Visiting Tibetan monks were watching me with what I thought was
fascination. I continued to read and highlighted more. As the dinner was served, I
placed my textbook at my side near my feet. (I was sitting in a meditation posture,
with my feet on the chair.) While I began enjoying my meal, the monks were still
staring at me, this time with anguished looks. Suddenly they emotionally addressed
the group in Tibetan. It was obvious they were both angry and frustrated and they
glared at me the whole time. My host mother apologized, explaining to the monks,
"inji, inji" (Westerner).
What did I do wrong?
They were offended by the fact that I was writing in my textbook .  Any book with
a picture of a saint or quotes from an ancient textbook is considered sacred. To
write in it is considered very disrespectful. He also placed the book near his feet,
which is considered the dirtiest part of human body

№2
Picture (Im)Perfect Moment
Critical Incident - Picture (Im)Perfect Moment
Location: Bali, Indonesia
Student: Female, 20
I was sitting in a palace courtyard talking to my friend, a local young prince.
I had to leave soon to return to my village. I apologized for my manners and for the
inconvenience of my stay, as it was customary to do. I then asked the prince if I
could have a picture taken of the two of us. He agreed and called a servant over to
take the photo. A king from another village who had also been visiting walked
over and I asked him to join us for a group picture. I moved over to my left to
make room for him. Everyone became very tense and the servant refused to take
the picture. The servant glanced nervously at the king and then at the far corner of
the palace on my right, facing Mt. Agung. He said he was sorry, but it was not
proper to take the picture.
Why not? What did I do wrong?
Mt. Agung is the considered the center of the universe in spiritual terms.
Those of higher caste, age, or other forms of status should always be situated
closest to it, particularly in ceremonial contexts. He positioned himself between
the king and the mountain by standing on the left. He should have stood to his
right.

5. Look again at the characteristics for High and Low Context communicators that
introduced this site and answer the following questions.
1). How might knowing your preferred communication style be useful to you
in intercultural situations?
By knowing it I can control my style of communication, because different
countries and cultures, demand different approaches of communication
2). What is the dominant communication style of groups you have grown up
with or interact most with now? Under what circumstances are you most
comfortable communicating?
I grew up with two different communication styles, because my father is more
“Low context”, while my mother is more “High context”. At my work place its
more “High context” and I don’t really like it, because it creates a lot of problems,
but I would say that I adapted to it, but “Low context” is more suitable for me
3). When you feel uncomfortable communicating in certain situations, do you
ever consider that the problem might be the way some people are expressing
themselves, rather than a personal reaction to individuals?
The first one, more oftently I feel that other person aren’t fully honest with me
and it might create some problems,
4). What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of both High and Low
context communication styles?
Advantages of one is disadvantages of the other so I will write only advantages
Advantages of High context
 Business transactions are based on trust
 Group loyalty becomes the motivating factor
 Group learning and problem solving is encouraged
Advantages of Low context
 Communications are straightforward and clear
 Decisions depends on facts rather than intuition
 Change is fast
  Disagreement is depersonalised

5). What differences in communication style are you likely to encounter when
studying abroad, and how are you going to react to them? What can you do to
prepare to communicate more effectively with someone who has a different style?
It depends on the region where you study. For example HC ncludes the regions
of the Middle East, Asia, Africa, South America. And LC includes North America
and Western Europe. I would prepare myself by following next two rules. The first
one being read about the culture of countries where I will study and the second one
is to be patient while adapting to a new culture.