High and Low Context

Cultures can also be described as high or low context. In high-context cultures, such as in China, Korea, and Japan, people use relatively vague and ambiguous language and even silence to convey important meanings. (High-context cultures are often collectivistic as well.) People in such cultures often talk indirectly (using hints or suggestions) because they presume that members of their ingroup will know what they’re trying to say. As a result, they don’t feel a need to provide a lot of explicit information. For example, if you ask a friend who grew up in Japan to drive you to the airport, she might say, “That might be difficult,” instead of outright refusing your request.

In low-context cultures, people tend not to presume that others share their beliefs, attitudes, and values. So they strive to be informative, clear, and direct in their communication (Hall & Hall, 1987). Many low-context cultures are also individualistic; as a result, people openly express their views and try to persuade others to accept them (Hall, 1976, 1997a). Within such cultures, which include Germany, Scandinavia, Canada, and the United States, people work to make important information obvious, rather than hinting or implying. For example, during a small-group discussion, a Canadian classmate might directly state, “Here’s my thinking on this topic...”