Discuss three ideas that are recommended and should be avoided when listening

and/or responding with people from your researched culture, based on the three
cultural dimensions you have chosen.

One of the biggest barrier besides languages is culture. While different cultures are
formed in different countries and areas, the way of communication should also be
adjusted. Geert Hofstede did a research on cultures in terms of different dimensions.
The following will discuss how these dimensions affect the listening and responding
in the USA.

Greet Hofstede suggested that the Americans has nearly the highest index in term of
individualism (Geert Hofstede n.d). With a score of 91 out of 100, it is said that the
Americans have a high individualistic culture (Geert Hofstede n.d). Individualism
refers to the people high value personal interest more than the interest of groups or
communities (Verderber, Verderber and Sellnow 2012, p. 56; Geert Hofstede n.d). In
America, the ‘American Dream’ still prevails in a hope for a better quality of life and
higher living standard. With that said, they are still one of the most competitive
countries all around the world (Burking 2012; Clearly Culture n.d). When
communicating with Americans, words like ‘You’ should be used frequently to
emphasis the interests and benefits would be available for them during negotiation
in business. As Americans value personal interest, by saying the key word, one can
give them a recognition for respecting their interest. Thus, the responds given to
Americans by using specific words like ‘you’ to help them understand that their
personal interest is recognized and being taken into consideration.

However, one should not expect harmony or establishing a relationship when

communicating with Americans. Americans value their personal interest nearly more
than any other countries per to the research done by Geert Hofstede. Unlike eastern
cultures, Americans can sometime sacrifice their harmony in relationship for
personal interest, hence they use low context speech in conversations. A low context
speech refers to a simpler way to express one’s feeling (Sze 2016). While Americans
prefer using direct and straight-forward speeches, they would not ask about one’s
relationship or trying to establish one during business discussions. Americans weight
heavily on their interest in hope of a better materialistic life, harmony will be the
price they are willing to pay for the classic ‘American Dream’ (Clearly Culture n.d). In
terms of responding to Americans, a straight-forward speech would be the most
appropriate way.
An example would be when Americans want place an order in a restaurant, they
would directly and quickly do so, without saying or trying to establish a relationship
with the food and beverage attendants. As food and beverage attendant, one should
always bear in mind that one should makes some quick greetings and start placing
orders. Too much or abundance greeting, trying to bond and establishing a friendly
impression with American customers may result in having the negative impact of
being annoying. During a business meeting or negotiation, by using the word ‘you’
instead of ‘we’ can help Americans appreciate one’s consideration of their interest,
hence enhance the trust and improve the business relationship of one’s company.
Recognizing Americans’ need for achieving their ‘American Dream’ by getting things
done straight and keeping things simple can help establish an effective impression for
the company or oneself.

According to Hofstede’s research on the culture dimension in terms of power

distance, America scores 40 out of 100 in this dimension (Geert Hofstede n.d). Power
distance refers to whether one is given equal chances per to others in a higher
position (Geert Hofstede n.d; Verderber, Verderber and Sellnow 2012, p. 59). With a
medium score of 40, while the Americans said they value equality regardless of
position, socio-economic status and ages, the score is denying their point of view. It
is questionable whether a country of freedom and equality.

In US, people admire rich people as they think the rich worked hard and are talented.
Failed to recognize wealth is gained with the expense of others, most people think
that the rich contributed more to the country by creating more jobs and
opportunities, people give more respect to the rich (Wanning 2008, p. 36-37;
Sherman 2015). Thus, the misconception still prevails and create an ‘invisible’
hierarchy in the society. But on the other hand, Americans still believe that regardless
of one’s background, family, race or wealth, if one considers oneself to be an
American and are proud of it, one can be the president of the United Stated
(Wanning 2008, p. 36-37; Purdy 2014). The former US president is Barack Obama is
the first African American while the present US president, Donald Trump is the oldest
president elected. Just by using these consecutive presidents elected, it is proved
that everyone can be a US president (CNN 2008; Seales 2017). But in business world,
people in US usually expect people in higher position to earn more and have greater
ideas. Hence, creating a medium score in power distance which people agree with
equality but not exercising it.

With that said, when communicating with Americans, one must not make
unnecessary courtesy moves. As America has a low context in communication, one
does not have much gestures for courtesy, while some countries have a complex way
of greeting and showing welcome, a firm, steady hand-shake will usually do the job
of greetings in the US (Wanniing 2008, p. 75-76). Thus, avoid redundant courtesy
moves and gestures would make the conversation more comfortable for Americans.
When listening, one should always give simple responds non-verbally. In short, one
should avoid using complex or unnecessary gestures in responding or listening to
others.

On the other hand, one should not be afraid to ask questions and ideas during
meetings with Americans (Wanning 2008, p. 36-37; Geert Hofstede n.d). With a
relatively low power distance, per to Hofstede’s research, one would be expected to
share information with higher position workers. Americans tend to ask question
directly when they do not understand or have any wonders. As Americans have a low
context in communication, an informal tone would be more likely to be used in a
situation. Nowadays, many bosses and employers allow their employees to refer
them by their first name and accessing to their supervisors do not require an
appointment anymore (Sliver n.d). Thus, because of the relatively low power distance
culture in US, one should not be afraid to ask questions and share ideas.

After the 9-11 attack, Americans have a fear of things spiral out of control or
surprises. According to Hofstede’s research, USA has a score of 46 out of 100 which is
below average in the dimension of uncertainty avoidance (Geert Hofstede n.d). By
having a low index in this dimension means one’s has a low tolerance to uncertain
future and unpredictable outcome (Geert Hofstede n.d; Verderber, Verderber and
Sellnow 2012, p. 58). When one expresses ideas and listens to Americans, one should
always be confident. Being confident gave people a feeling having matters under
control and promote a trustworthy image not only for oneself but also the company
that one might represent (Ray 2015). For example, showing confident by speaking up
and giving a warm smile non-verbally can always calm one’s audiences or the
receivers in the communication process. When the audiences’ mind is clear, one
would have a higher chance of making the audiences to get an impression of
confident and in control. Sometime slowing down, one’s speech or even pause
intentionally, can also promote an image of being in control. Hence, by
demonstrating one is in control, it would benefit the communication with Americans.

Moreover, another measure that one can do is to verbally speaks what one actually
means and give examples to support one’s idea or argument. As Americans have a
low context communication culture, by saying out ideas clearly and as detailed as
possible can help the understanding for Americans (Würtz 2005). As Americans do
not like filling uncertain gaps or guessing meaning behind one’s idea, having a
detailed description and provide relevant and strong examples can help ease the
uncertainty of American and at the same time make one’s speech more persuasive.
For example, when one is asked to give a presentation, having the key ideas listed
out can not only help others to grab one’s ideas quickly, but by provide solid and
concrete examples to support ease the uncertainty in the room. More importantly,
the presentation would be more effective as people’s concentration tend to decrease
overtime. Asking questions in the end of one’s presentation can clear everyone’s
mind and low context-based culture can directly ask what they do not understand
and get answers quickly. Hence, giving a low context speech and finishing by asking
others ‘are there any questions’ is recommended to tackle the low index of
uncertainty avoidance cultures, in this case, American.

To conclude, there are different dimension to be considered when communicating

with a different culture. To enhance efficiency and quality in discussions,
recommendations and avoidances vary among whether one’s culture is a high or low
content based. History and traditions may also be factors affecting the strategies of
communication.
Reference

Hofstede G n.d, Cultural Comparison United State, viewed 16th March 2017, <
https://geert-hofstede.com/united-states.html >

Burking B n.d, Hofstede's Dimensions, Individualism-Collectivism, Hope College,

viewed 12th March 2017, < http://hopeinterculturalcomm.weebly.com/individualism-
collectivism.html >

Clearly Cultural n.d, Individualism, Clearly Cultural, viewed 13th March 2017, <
http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/individualism/ >

CNN 2008, Obama:’ This is Your Victory’, CNN News, viewed 14th March 2017, <
http://work.chron.com/respectful-ways-address-boss-2850.html >

Purdy J 2014, Why Some Americans Are More Equal Than Others, The Daily Beast,
viewed 13th March 2017, < http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/03/15/did-
trump-ex-advisor-manafort-play-a-role-in-2014-ukraine-massacre.html >

Ray L 2015, What are the Benefits of Self-Confidence, Live Strong, viewed 14th March
2017, < http://www.livestrong.com/article/135849-what-are-benefits-self-
confidence/ >

Sherman E 2015, America is the richest, and most unequal, country, Fortune, viewed
13th March 2017, < http://fortune.com/2015/09/30/america-wealth-inequality/ >

Sliver F n.d, Respectful Ways to Address Your Boss, Chron Newspaper, viewed 14th
March 2017, < http://work.chron.com/respectful-ways-address-boss-2850.html >

Sze D 2016, How Americans and Chinese Think About Happiness Differently, The
Huffington Post, viewed 13th March 2017, < http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-
sze/how-americans-and-chinese_b_7642102.html >

Verderber K, Verderber F and Sellnow D 2014, Communicate! 14th edn, Cengage

Learning, USA.

Wanning E 2008, Cultural Shock! A survival Guide to Customers and Etiquette USA,
Marshall Cavendish, USA
Würtz E 2005, A Cross-Cultural Analysis of Websites from High-Context Cultures and
Low-Context Cultures, Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication Vol. 11,
viewed 15th March 2017, < http://www.citeulike.org/group/5525/article/400543 >