Somebody from a high-context culture like e.g. Often called The Golden... Dutch-Japanese relations have a long and interesting history, which is determined by commerce, trade, and war. Firstly, let’s look at you (yes, you). The way that we think, approach tasks, and what we find logical and acceptable, are all biases from our most familiar culture. When you enter a high context situation, it doesn't immediately become a low context culture just because you came in the door! The results of this year’s InterNations Expat Insider Survey are out — the Netherlands has been ranked 33 out of 59 countries when it... Summer is almost here, which means white sand beaches, exotic palm trees, and sipping on cocktails in exciting new locations, right? People in low context cultures such as the UK tend to have short-term relationships, follow rules and standards closely and are generally very task-oriented. In anthropology, high-context culture and low-context culture are ends of a continuum of how explicit the messages exchanged in a culture are and how important the context is in communication.The continuum pictures how people communicate with others through their range of communication abilities: utilizing gestures, relations, body language, verbal messages, or non-verbal messages. " Low context cultures usually express information clearly in their words as opposed to high context cultures, in which context plays an almost equally important role in the negotiation process (Fox, 2005). High and low context should be seen as a continuum, e.g. Time is a commodity not to be wasted; often organized in compartments. “What matters is not so much the absolute positioning of a person’s culture on a particular scale, but rather their relative positioning in comparison to you.”. If the answer is the former then good luck. By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. And they tend to convey information indirectly. As the infamous stereotype goes, just go into every conversation like a bull in a china shop and say whatever you want, as bluntly and direct as possible. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. However, the difference between the dimension Individualism is something that Dutch people might also notice. High-context cultures and low-context cultures. such that England would be higher context than Denmark, while being lower context than Japan. People are on … So next time you are at work with Dutch colleagues or with Dutch friends and neighbours, ask yourself this:if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-dutchreview_com-banner-1-0')}; Am I communicating implicitly or explicitly? It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Low context cultures are those that have little information stored between interactions and thus, communicators must explicitly express their message. “Culture is program of human mind which distinguishes two different human groups one from the other. Some 2,500 miles of the Netherlands consist of reclaimed land, the result of a process of careful water management dating back to medieval times. Instead, they emphasize the country's cultural diversity, tolerance of difference, and receptiveness to foreign influences. Disagreement is often depersonalised, with a focus on a “rational” solution to solve a conflict. General patterns and characteristics are present in cultures which help us put them on a scale, such as this one (an example borrowed from Erin Meyer): However, Meyer cautions not to get too obsessed with it. If you are dissatisfied with the website or any content or materials on it, your sole exclusive remedy is to discontinue your use of the website. You can be fluent in Dutch, a die-hard Ajax fan, and somehow convince yourself that stamppot is enjoyable and not bland, but that may not. In high context cultures, the converse can be seen as information being stored between correspondences thus not as much explicit communication is shared in subsequent correspondence. Learn how your comment data is processed. Our Privacy Policy can be found, Systematic, linear approach; trial and error sometimes acceptable, Provide challenges, opportunity for increased responsibility, advancement, personal development, Structured, formal, scheduled, tied to salary and advancement, Direct, to the point, forthright, little preliminary discussion, Often consensus driven which requires more time, Open, assertive, information should be supported by facts and data, Informed by a spirit of fairness and respect; Displays of authority are not appreciated, Hiring based on skills and experience; Labor laws protect the employee, Technical expertise and professional history are important to customer relationship, Industry and hard work highly valued and respected, Honest, straight forward approach to interaction, Strong spirit of democracy and independence, “Live and let live” motto; tolerance for alternative lifestyles, The home is the center of social life; “gezellig” (pleasant, cozy), Thrifty; waste and excess cost is frowned upon, Be prepared for very straight forward and direct communication style. Time and scheduling well organized; results oriented, Equality Go further, discover our cultural survey tool, the Culture Compass™ or join our open programme Introduction to Cross-Cultural Management. The weather report says otherwise. In the intercultural field, we all know about “high-context” and “low-context cultures”, theories defined by anthropologist Edward T. Hall who helps us to understand which powerful effect culture has on routine communication. If you are currently doing business in Europe it is likely that you will have had some contact with the Dutch. 1.4.6 - Context of Cultures: High and Low. Most Danish are from low context culture. Sweden is a low-context culture, I can compare it with Belgium. Evaluating: direct negative feedback vs. indirect negative feedback The website may provide links to other websites on the Internet, the content of which is not in our control. Although the Dutch are known for their openness and tolerance, this is being sorely tested by their burgeoning immigrant population, and particularly the Muslims, whose values conflict sharply with traditional Dutch values. while India is closer to a low context culture with certain high context cultural fea-tures. The difference between High and Low Context Culture is that Low Context Cultures (Individualistic Cultures) do not need a lot of additional (Contextual) information to engage in “a communication“. Je hebt dus veel kennis van die codes nodig om mensen goed te kunnen begrijpen. In contrast, high context cultures tend to value fewer, yet deeper relationships with stronger bonds, be they in business or personal matters. Pointing to one’s forehead with the index finger means someone is crazy or behaving stupidly. The country is low-lying and remarkably flat, with large expanses of lakes, rivers, and canals. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Even an innocent statement of “we’ll look into this problem” can be taken as “you will solve the problem and the matter is closed.”. Strong emphasis on fairness; democratic ideal, Balanced Need for Certainty Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Hall’s theory is complemented with Hofstede’s (2008) individu-alism vs. collectivism dimension and with Lewis’s (1999, 2005) cultural categories of Unterschiede zwischen high context und low context Kommunikation. But how can that be done?if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-dutchreview_com-medrectangle-4-0')}; Cultures are incredibly complex so it’s not so black and white. Dutch people are among the most explicit or low-context culture (low-context meaning their conversation assumes relatively little intuitive understanding). Let us help you make your transition easy! Therefore, the persuasive communication should be detailed and explicit. The period roughly spanning 1588 to 1672 was one of the most prosperous in Dutch history. In a low context culture, the written contract or legal document is what counts (Palich, Carini, & Livingstone, 2002). Their implicit interaction is based upon their own cultural nuances and behaviours. For example, attitudes to personal space and privacy; relationships; hierarchy and company structures; the approach and execution of tasks; the perception and importance of time; and learning are all aspects that can vary. There is not much touching between acquaintances or business associates. should suppress other cultural variety. Research states that the United States is the lowest context culture in the world, followed by Canada and Australia. These all depend on where your culture sits on the low-context to high-context culture scale. Want your business to reach an unrivalled expat and international audience? Interestingly, and probably to the amusement of low-context cultures, the two groups most likely to suffer from miscommunication are two high-context cultures. Information is shared explicitly, with much less importance placed upon non-verbal elements. Are you looking for some information on Business Culture in Denmark? Low context implies that a lot of information is exchanged explicitly through the message itself and rarely is anything implicit or hidden. For more on these dimensions, read this short article Only on the dimension Goal Orientation, there is a significant difference (significant is any difference of 10 points or more).A difference that does cause friction when Dutch culture vs American culture work together. (DR 10) When asked directly, the British respondents did not in fact think that they took a long time to decide or come through with an order. Emotional displays are avoided. Firm handshakes and a warm smile are the common greeting, even with children. Interestingly, and probably to the amusement of low-context cultures, the two groups most likely to suffer from miscommunication are two high-context cultures. Als iemand ‘ja’ zegt dan bedoelt hij ook ‘ja’. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for omissions and errors. Culture according to sense is a system of collectively held values” geert hofstede. Worry not, for we have everything . If people are offended – helaas pindakaas, that is their problem. Non-verbal cues are key, such as voice tone, gestures, facial expressions, and eye movement. Individualistic cultures tend to focus on protection of self interests, independence, and self rule. This is what the cultural standard "Direct communication style" is about. 21 Votes) Examples of low-context cultures include Germany, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Canada, and the United States. Germans have the opportunity to rise in society. © 2021 IOR Global Services. Consumers from the Netherlands (individualistic and low-context culture) have less personal attachments. Most Dutch people reject the notion and consider it to be tainted with an unacceptable form of nationalism. Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in April 2020, and was fully updated in May 2021 for your reading pleasure. Many cultures consider the Dutch to be “blunt.” Honesty is highly valued and the Dutch expect people to communicate what is on their minds in an open manner. The reverse holds true for High (Collectivistic) Context Cultures. According to research by the Havard Business Review, between 10 to 20 percent of American managers sent by their companies to work abroad had difficulty adjusting to local cultures and norms. The Netherlands, obviously, has as a (very) low-context culture. In low context cultures, the message is communicated almost entirely by the words and therefore needs to be explicit. Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in April 2020, and was fully updated in May 2021 for your reading pleasure.Feature Image: Moose Photos/Pexels, I’m Canadian born with Dutch parents. In the intercultural field, we all know about “high-context” and “low-context cultures”, theories defined by anthropologist Edward T. Hall who helps us to understand which powerful effect culture has on routine communication. Bias toward studying large companies: The vast majority of international and cross-cultural studies have been conducted in the organizational context of large firms. Western observers including leading politicians, mainly coming from Low Context cultures, do hardly understand the tribal structure of society of both regions and the religious cum economic divide in Arabia which leads to misjudgements as the North-African political crisis of 2011 has shown. The international manager must be especially cognizant of etiquette rules when negotiating in high context countries, in which culture and tradition define the character and the way people act. Here, one cannot claim B or C as being part of any one type since B is low-context with respect to C, but high-context with respect to A. The United States scored a 62 on Hofstede’s scale. The Dutch value everyone having their opinion or say, so make sure there is time for this sort of participation. There is a lot of nonverbal coding and strong interpersonal bonds are extremely important. Contracts tend to be quite lengthy and wordy in order to cover every possible contingency with precision, leaving as little ambiguity as possible. Compared to Arab countries where the power distance is very high (80) and Austria where it very low (11), Germany is somewhat in the middle. In high context cultures, the converse can be seen as information being stored between Well, yes. if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-dutchreview_com-box-3-0')};Dutch communication, eh? be enough. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A person from a low-context culture, on the other hand, like e.g. Low-context cultures such as the United States tend to favor multiple interpersonal connections, and most or all of which have a shorter duration. But ask yourself this: why is it so often deemed an acceptable approach here? Yes, personalised events also shape us. There exist dimensions of culture unrelated to economic evolution. We contend that Finnish communication culture is changing towards a low-er context culture. Our approach to cultural context is primarily driven by Hall's (1976) theory of high vs. low context dimensions and Hofstede's (1980, 2001, 2005) five-dimensional framework for analysing culture. They prefer to value facts, logic, and directness. The Netherlands, obviously, has as a (very) low-context culture. These cookies do not store any personal information. A low-context culture is described as open, rule-oriented, individualized, detail-oriented in communication, problem-oriented, proactive and productive. Focus on words to convey meaning, messages taken more literally, Formal You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Many cultures consider the Dutch to be “blunt.”, Honesty is highly valued and the Dutch expect people to communicate what is on their minds in an open manner. Information is shared implicitly, where context is king. Culture is also defined in terms of individualistic and collectivist cultures. The U.S. is generally a low-context culture, while countries like France and Japan have high-context cultures. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. I learned the language, went to school in Den Haag for 3 months at a time aged 6 and 12. But his absolute favourite? In low context cultures, the message is communicated almost entirely by the words and therefore needs to be explicit. Business Culture in the Netherlands. Americans are the most explicit or low-context culture there is (low-context meaning their conversation assumes relatively little intuitive understanding). This is reflected in how Dutch people interact High-context cultures are much harder to navigate as an outsider. Masculine traits include assertiveness, materialism/material success, self-centeredness, power, strength, and individual achievements. Moderately Direct Although people tend to say what they mean, the tend to avoid open conflict and direct opposition to differing viewpoints. "In low-context cultures (such as the U.S., Germany, and the Netherlands), good communication is precise, simple, and explicit. © 2019 All Rights Reserved. “If you’re from a high-context culture, you might perceive a low-context communicator as inappropriately stating the obvious…or even as condescending and patronising.’’. Dutch people are well-known for their straightforward (low-context) communication when Eastern Europeans stay at another grade of a scale and get used to the high-context interaction. The United States is the lowest context culture in the world followed by Canada, Australia, Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. All Rights Reserved. To understand how this happens, one needs to understand how communication is processed. My family there speaks BLUNT! Disagreement and conflict are often seen as personal. Power distance is low in the Netherlands, meaning that managers rely on the experience of their employees and power is decentralized. 8. There is certainly more than simply exploring low-context and high-context cultural theory. Anglos, Germanics and Scandinavians. Low-context culture : Overtness of messages: Many covert and implicit messages, with use of metaphor and reading between the lines. Select one or several countries/regions in the menu below to see the values for the 6 dimensions. All businesses follow timetables, but in some cultures such as India, Brazil, and Italy, … such that England would be higher context than Denmark, while being lower context than Japan. Communication is direct and people participate in discussions with employees expecting to be consulted. You have, largely, been nurtured in harmony with the culture and behaviours of the country that you grew up in, or have had the most exposure to. Individualism vs. Collectivism-Colombia is amongst the lowest… It has different communication style; communication is indirect, informal, face to face, mutual, rich in nonverbal features and based on feeling and background information. Brazil is a high context language MEASURING BRAZIL WITH HALL'S HIGH AND LOW CONTEXT 5 culture. Edward T. Hall divides cultures into two categories: high-context cultures and low-context cultures. Country comparison. READ MORE | We asked readers about their experiences with the infamous Dutch directness. 7. “Waarom weet je dat niet?” Like I’m an idiot. Thus, there are high context cultures and low context cultures. How you reach something is more momentous then what you deliver. In high-context cultures, or indirect communication cultures, negotiators prefer to deliver messages in an implicit way. → Low context cultures: a.o. Also, why some countries have entirely different approaches to communication — and how that can create problems. Also, how do high context cultures differ from low context cultures? Also, even low context cultures can be difficult to learn: religious dietary laws, medical training, written language all take years to understand. Low context culturen daarentegen werken veel meer op basis van ‘what you see, is what you get’. Conclusion. According to him, “in a high-context culture, many things are left unsaid, letting the culture explain. Low-context cultures include countries such as the US and Germany. Thus, in low context cultures it can take many words to convey very little meaning. All Anglo-Saxon cultures fall on the left-hand side of the scale, with the United Kingdom as the highest context culture of the Anglo-Saxon cluster. If you have found material on this website which is copyrighted by others, please contact the webmaster on this matter in order to have it removed. Die Art und Weise, wie Personen aus unterschiedlichen Kulturen miteinander kommunizieren, unterscheidet sich zum Teil stark und ist unter anderem davon abhängig, ob die Kommunikation nach Regeln der high context Kommunikation oder denen der low context Kommunikation abläuft. High context culturen hebben ingewikkelde culturele codes voor communicatie. High and low context should be seen as a continuum, e.g. Getting used to a new culture can … Sense of cultural superiority; Self-cultivation, education; Perseverance; Argentinean Communication Style . • High Context: A high context culture is one in which the communicators assume a great deal of commonality of knowledge and views, so that less is spelled out explicitly and much more is implicit or communicated in indirect ways. It’s often indirect (read between the lines), extensive, and communication is considered an art. Low Context     However, it is common for friends to kiss. High context vs. low context- Colombia is a high-context culture in which most of the information is assumed to be known (common knowledge). Scheduling . This is mainly due to the pre-eminence of Rotterdam as a port and its position as the gateway to the European Union. For example, Germany has a masculine culture with a 66 on the scale of Hofstede (Netherlands 14). The historic Low Countries made up much of Frisia, home to the Frisii, and the Roman provinces of Gallia Belgica and Germania Inferior, home to the Belgae and Germanic peoples like the Batavi. American culture is low context because people's backgrounds and sub-cultures are so varied that relatively little can be assumed without explicit explanations, and people are accustomed to providing them. Designed and Developed by LLT Group. For the most part, gestures are kept to a minimum, although there will be more in the southern part of the country. Culture shock occurs not at the arrival, but a few months later.

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