Verbal Directness

Closely related to context is the dimension of directness. Generally, people from low-context cultures exhibit verbal directness: they get to the point quickly and say what they mean. People in high-context cultures often prefer verbal indirectness: they prefer to discuss matters in a more subtle and round­about way. Thus they may say things in ways that members of low-context cul­tures would consider “hinting,” or “beating around the bush.”

The following example, cited by Lustig and Koester is a perfect example of indirectness. A Malaysian teacher is talking to a European American teacher. The Malaysian, who doesn’t have a car, wants the American to drive him off campus for lunch but is too polite to ask directly. Instead, the Malaysian says, “Can I ask you a question?” “Yes, of course,” the American answers. “Do you know what time it is?” “Yes, it’s two o’clock,” answers the American. The Malaysian then asks, “Might you have a little soup left in the pot?” Puzzled, the American asks for clarification, forcing the Malaysian to be more explicit. “I will be on campus teaching until nine o’clock tonight, a very long day for any per­son, let alone a hungry one!” Finally, the American catches on: “Would you like me to drive you to a restaurant off campus so you can have lunch?” The Malaysian teacher answers, “What a very good idea you have!”

Members of high-context cultures use a variety of methods to get mean­ings across, including refraction (letting someone overhear what you want him or her to know), covert revelation (letting personal views out in a disguised way), or mediation (waiting for someone else to relay the message.)

Expressiveness

Expressive cultures are open when it comes to displaying emotions. Hugging, touching, laughing, and crying may not be out of place, even in the workplace. Eloquence is often valued. In other cultures, the opposite is true. In many cul­tures emotional displays are seen as inappropriate and unprofessional. Iranians, for example, are very emotionally expressive. When angry, an Iranian’s behav­iors may consist of “turning red, invoking religious oaths, proclaiming his in­justices for all to hear, and allowing himself to be held back.” Many southeast Asians, in contrast, value evenness and restraint and try to neutralize emotions. European Americans, in general, are somewhere in the middle.