Cross-culture communication management

Technical Communication: Differences in Content

• In China, content should be fact-based, focus on long-term benefits for readers.
• In Mexico, South America, and many African countries, family backgrounds are of great importance, even in business documents.

• In the Middle East, Arabs often value negotiating/bargaining.
• In Asian countries, the reputation of the writer/company is essential to credibility.
• In Indonesia, the phrase “Yes, but” actually means “no” when speaking.

Differences in Organization

• In Arab cultures, documents/meetings start with attempts to build common bonds, rather than the American way of “getting to the point.”
• Asians often prefer to start with non-business info such as the weather.

• In India, the term “thank you” is considered a form of payment. If someone has done you a favor, you should not say “thank you” in the intro/conclusion of an e-mail or letter or you will indicate you are paying for the favor.