Understanding Cultural Differences-Germans, French and Americans

Edward T. Hall & Mildred Reed Hall,1990

• Goal: intern. understanding & maximizing success for American executives

• Research: interviews w/ buss. ppl, writers, artists, teachers

The Three Elements of the communicative process in culture

• Words

• Material Things

• Behavior

• A “silent language”

Culture is…

• “a giant, extraordinarily complex, subtle computer”

• Its programs guide actions

• What causes system breakdown

A few of the key concepts underlying culture…

Fast and Slow Messages

• = the speed at which a message can be decoded & acted on

• See examples on handout

• Applications to building relationships

Context

• Context= elements that contribute to producing a meaning; they differ in proportion depending on culture

• Effective communication=knowing the degree of info(contexting) needed

High & Low Context

• H.C.=extensive information networks -> little need for background info

• (Japanese, Arab & Mediterranean ppl.)

• L.C.=compartmentalized relationships cause need for background info

• (Germans, Swiss & Americans)

Context shifting

• Any shift in level of context is a communication: upscale=warming, downscale=cooling

Monochronic vs. Polychronic

• See handout

• Both Germans & Americans=monochronic

While both monochronic….

• Germans & Americans differ in relation to TIME

• Germans: precise scheduling, slow pace

• & Attention to detail & preoccupation w/ past (see quote on handout)

ACHTUNG!

• Grosse Generalizations komming…

Americans from the German Perspective

Negatives

• Overly familiar, intrusive

• Naïve (historically & politically)

• Poorly educated, narrow-minded

• Undisciplined, lacking taste

• Shallow & over-confident

• Needing ‘hand-holding’ in buss.

Americans fr. the German Perspective

Positives• Friendly• Resourceful, energetic, innovative• Happier, more productive, greater

freedom than most• Resilient• Amer. Society: great opportunity for

success & upward mobility

Germans from the American Perspective

• Disciplined, well-educated

• Neat, orderly

• Systematic, well-organized

• Reserved, private

• Tough competitors

Usefullness of this book?

• If you’re an untravelled Amer. Buss. executive living in the 1990’s, this book may be for you…

• Provides a cultural short hand for American businesspple (behaviors to enact & avoid to improve your bottom line!)

For our students??

• For our students??--a more nuanced approach (that avoids saying “the Germans are…” would be better

• But some cultural concepts (e.g.,high & low context) could be helpful

Too conclude:a few mind-expanding quotes

• “Until now [the publication of this book] there has been no way to translate behavior from one culture to another” (xix)

• “Few people realize that space is perceived by all the senses, not by vision alone” (11)

• “…Germans do not smile when introduced. Smiling is for friends” (39)

Jennie vs. the Point of Power

• After thirty years of avoidance, Jennie completes her first power point. She is not sure if she’s happy about it…

• If she wants to continue down this dark & treacherous path, she will have to give in & get a tutorial…