While we may be separated by geographical borders, there’s no denying that globalization has taken over. As businesses begin to expand and cultures mingle, there’s a growing need to collaborate and communicate effectively — after all, our partnerships depend on this. This is why it’s so important to understand cultural differences.
However, as an observer, you’re probably left counting endlessly. Here’s everything you need to know about Western vs. Eastern culture, so you’re not second-guessing every interaction you make.
10 Examples of Cultural Differences between East and West
1. “Me” vs. We
A major difference between Western vs. Eastern cultures is the way they perceive themselves. In Western culture, personal gains, individualism, and autonomy are put above all else.
In Eastern culture, however, the self is perceived as a part of a larger body. Here, teamwork and community building take precedence over personal achievements. If you’re a Westerner working in Eastern settings, you may want to start familiarizing yourself with sharing successes.
2. Clear vs. Subtle Communication
When it comes to cultural differences in communication, Western culture values straightforwardness, even if it means being blunt. They say what they think and think what they say.
In Eastern culture, however, reading between the lines is preferred, usually in the hopes of saving face and not stirring up a conflict.
3. Punctuality
While both cultures appreciate punctuality, they have differing views on time orientation. In Western culture, time is viewed as linear and deadlines as sacred. Anything that causes a hindrance in the schedule is seen as a hindrance.
In the East, however, time is fluid. Schedules can be changed based on the situation and the relationships involved, and aren’t set in stone.
4. Approach to Authority
In Western culture, authority is viewed as an equal, an entity that can be challenged by anyone, despite their rank, given their low power distance.
In Eastern cultures, however, seniority and respect for authority are deeply appreciated, where lower-ranking individuals will defer to those with more experience.
5. Risk Taking vs. Averting
In the West, taking risks is often considered a rite of passage to success. Failures and setbacks are encouraged, seen as learning and growth opportunities.
In Eastern cultures, in contrast, stability and security often outweigh the possibility of heavy rewards, and are reflected when making decisions.
6. Short-Term vs. Long-Term Relationships
When it comes to doing business in the West, there’s immense focus placed on short-term results and immediate outcomes, where relationships are mainly transactional.
In the East, on the other hand, business deals are built upon trust, loyalty, and mutual understanding.
7. Work-Life Balance
In Western cultures, boundaries between work and life are strictly maintained. You’ll rarely see people working overtime, let alone talk about work during lunches or dinners.
In Eastern cultures, those boundaries are blurred, especially since work and family responsibilities tend to intertwine. If you end up in an Eastern work setting, don’t be surprised by longer working hours and an expectation to have greater involvement at work.
8. Feedback
Feedback in the West is given clearly and directly, so don’t expect any beating around the bush. These are also often structured sessions, seen as opportunities to grow and improve.
In the East, feedback is delivered indirectly and gently, in hopes of avoiding any direct confrontation. Positive feedback may be openly communicated, however, negative feedback is usually delivered in a rather nuanced way.
9. Expressing Emotions
While emotional expression in the West is encouraged and celebrated, it’s generally frowned upon in the East. Whether it’s joy, frustration or excitement, opening up about your feelings in the West is seen as a healthy habit. In Eastern cultures, maintaining composure and having a reserved approach towards emotions is seen as professionalism in work settings.
10. Decision Making
In the West, decisions are swift and decisive, most frequently made with limited input from others. In fact, sometimes, the bolder the decision, the greater it’s celebrated. This primarily stems from the belief that time is money, and that every second wasted is a loss.
In the East, consensus and taking all stakeholders on board are the backbone of decision-making. While this approach may take longer, it leads to better harmony and minimizes conflict.
How to Deal with Cultural Differences in Communication?
Now that we’ve had a look at some cultural differences examples, on to the burning question: how do you actually deal with these differences in real-life scenarios?
1. Cultural Awareness
The first step to effective communication is doing what you just did: educating yourself about cultural differences and how they shape the way people view different situations. You’ll notice that at this point, we’ve left language barriers far behind. What takes the lead here is understanding different cultural norms, conversation styles, greetings, and even jokes.
2. Adapting to Different Cultures
Adapting to cultural differences in communication doesn’t mean giving up on your values, beliefs, or cultural norms. Rather, it means adjusting to your new environment, such that you can foster positive business relationships and interactions.
We’ve already seen how differently the two cultures communicate. While Western cultures value directness and clarity, communication in the East is indirect, gentle, and primarily context-driven.
3. Be Wary of How You Deliver Feedback
Feedback and constructive criticism are an important part of any business setting. However, how you deliver it depends greatly on cultural context.
For example, pointing out areas of improvement clearly and providing feedback directly might be appreciated in the West, but would be considered embarrassing in the East.
4. Active Listening
When navigating cultural differences, active listening can help you pick up on other features such as tone and non-verbal cues which you might not have otherwise. In Eastern cultures, you may be required to listen closely for underlying meanings amidst the subtle communication. A seemingly neutral comment may imply dissatisfaction if you pay careful attention to body language and facial expressions.
Just as something as seemingly insignificant as color can have different meanings in culture, different gestures have different meanings. For example, while repeated eye contact in the West is a sign of confidence, in the East it could be perceived as a sign of aggression.
Embracing Cultural Differences for Stronger Partnerships
In a world where we’re so closely interconnected, understanding cultural differences in communication is an absolute necessity. In fact, mastering these communication differences might be the difference between successful partnerships and missed opportunities.
At the end of the day, what we truly need is curiosity, empathy, respect and the genuine willingness to do better. The moment we stop listening to respond and truly hear the person in front of us is the moment our partnerships become meaningful.
Are You Ready to Bridge the Gap?
If you’re tired of feeling like you’re speaking into the void, EC Innovations gets it. We know that cultural differences and communicating between them can be challenging. Our translation services are designed keeping you in mind, so that every message you send feels powerful and authentic.
No more second-guessing if your message has been understood the way you want it to be. Get in touch with us today and let’s make sure you never get lost in translation again.
