Cross-culture communication management

Differences in Style

• In China, overt persuasion is rude. Build strong relationships instead.
• Arabic style values repetition, and seems ornamental to North Americans.
• In Mexico and much of South America, informal style=lack of respect.

• In sub-Saharan Africa, readers prefer a win-win tone where both sides benefit.
• Some Native Americans prefer the sense that everyone had input; avoid direct writing style.
• In North America, women are more direct than anywhere.

Differences in Design

• Arabic and some Chinese scripts read right to left.
• In some Asian cultures, a white flower or white dress can symbolize death.
• Europeans say Americans use too many graphics, too much white space.

• Graphs/charts with obvious meanings to Americans can baffle international readers.
• When giving presentations in some Native American cultures, hand gestures/eye contact should be limited/minimized.