Communication Between Cultures

voice volume, and the formality of language used as well as directness and

indirectness.

Rules are also used to manage interpersonal relationships. Morreale, Spitzberg, and

Barge explain that an extensive set of rules governs friendships (emotionally trusting

the other person vs. keeping secrets) and conflict (raising your voice vs. not showing

any emotion).^2 These cultural rules, like most aspects of culture, are learned, inte-

grated into the self, and adhered to when communicating.

Context Dictates Communication Rules

Our second assumption is that the context specifies the appropriateness of the rules to

be employed. Your personal experiences should validate that position. Consider how

such diverse contexts as a classroom, bank, church, hospital, courtroom, wedding,

funeral, or sporting event determine which communication rules you follow. In an

employment interview, you might use formal or respectful words, such as“sir” or

“ma’am,”when responding to the interviewer. Yet, at a football or basketball game,

your language would be far less formal, incorporating slang phrases and quite possibly

good-natured derogatory remarks about the opposing team. For that job interview,

men might wear a dark suit with white or blue shirt and conservative tie, and women

would probably dress in a dark suit with a white or pastel blouse. At the sports event,

jeans or shorts and a T-shirt could be appropriate. Your nonverbal behavior would also

be different. At the interview, you would probably shake hands and maintain eye con-

tact with your prospective employer, but at the football game with friends, you might

embrace them when you meet, slap them on the back, or hit a“high-five.”

Communication Rules Vary Across Cultures

Our third assumption is that communication rules are, to a large extent, deter-

mined by culture. While social contexts are similar across cultures (e.g., negotia-

tions, classrooms, hospitals), the rules governing communication in those contexts

are often dissimilar. Consequently, concepts of dress, time, language, manners, and

nonverbal behavior differ significantlyamong cultures. A few examples will illus-

trate the point.

When conducting business in the United States, it is not uncommon for men and

women to welcome each other to a meeting by shaking hands. In the Middle East,

however, some Muslim businessmen may choose to avoid shaking hands with a

woman. This should not be perceived as rude or insulting but rather as a reflection

of the man’s religious proscriptions. This was seen during President and Mrs. Obama’s

2015 visit to Saudi Arabia to express condolences after the passing of the late King

Abdullah. As Saudi officials filed past to greet the Obamas, some men shook

Mrs. Obama’s hand, but others did not, instead acknowledging her with a nod.^3

In an Asian college classroom, students may appear reserved, hesitant to partici-

pate in discussions, and reluctant to ask questions. This is due to the cultural stan-

dards regarding the hierarchy that governs interaction between Asian students and

their professors. Cultural differences can also be found in the business context when

you compare business hospitality in Turkey and the United States. In Turkey, for

Communication Rules Vary Across Cultures 341

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