Fundamental Cultural Differences: Obstacle or Opportunity?

“You can never become a Westerner.”

These were among the comments made by top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi, who called on Japan and Korea to join forces with China to create a regional alliance, assert their shared cultural values and unite against imposing powers from the West.

As reported in the CNN article by Nectar Gan on July 5, the comments came during the opening ceremony of the International Forum for Trilateral Cooperation, which the three nations have attended every year since 2011. Prompting the remarks is the mounting tension in the region as the US strengthens ties with Japan and Korea while neighboring giant China becomes an increasingly stronger economic power and rival to the US.

***Disclaimer: I have no political affiliations and I am merely taking this opportunity to highlight cultural perspectives on a few points. No offense is intended towards anyone, and I welcome counter-arguments.***

Using Wang’s comments as a springboard, I will highlight a few major cultural differences between East and West:

• Low-context vs. high-context communication
• Individualism vs. collectivism
• The saving-face value

1. Gan wrote that Wang alluded to the US’s tendency towards confrontation and creating division.

This points out one major cultural difference between the US and the cultures of China, Japan, and Korea: the communication style.

• American communication style is quintessentially confrontational. Leaders from the United States are often guilty of spouting aggressive comments and showing intercultural insensitivity in the international arena. Another recent example was the comment made by Joe Biden against Saudi Arabia when he said “there will be consequences” if Saudi Arabia continued to refuse an increase in oil production in the wake of the shortage caused by the Russia-Ukraine war.
• On the other hand, the communication style of #china, #japan, and #korea is indirect, layered, containing nuances and prompting the listener to “read between the lines.”
• Two dimensions frequently used by cultural experts to define and explain the two polarized communication styles are low-context and high-context (terms coined by the interculturalist Edward Hall).
• Low context communication style is direct, to the point, and messages are delivered without sugar-coating or masking any emotions. This means, of course, that sometimes comments can pack a good punch. Americans tend to have the highest degree of “outspokenness” among low-context cultures, perhaps also rooted in their staunch individualism, freedom of speech, and competitiveness.
• High-context communication, on the other hand, relies heavily on contextual clues, indirectness and diplomacy, seeks to preserve the relationship and specifically avoids confronting people and speaking directly with strong language. As quoted in The Culture Map by Erin Meyer , a virtue in Japanese culture is to be able to “read the air.”

Naturally, people who communicate with one style also expect to be communicated with in that style. Therefore, you can imagine why the American communication style can be particularly disturbing to cultures who are raised on values of speaking with respect to others and preserving harmony.

Another dynamic in cultural values across Asia is the ultra-important saving-face value. Saving face means preventing people from embarrassment and shame (others, as well as yourself).

• Therefore, confrontational comments in the international spotlight can be particularly annoying to a culture whose core values dictate the importance of protecting and respecting one’s image.
• It’s rare that people from outside these cultures fully understand this value, or the repercussions of violating it.

2. In another comment, Wang called on the Asian nations to remember their roots and Asian values.

So where do the values and principles of the culture primarily come from?

• One major source of the shared cultural values, doctrine and social systems in China, Japan, Korea, and other far-east Asian countries is Confucianism.
• Confucius was the most famous teacher in #chinese history, a public servant, politician, and philosopher who lived from 551-479 B.C. The doctrine and philosophies of #confucius shaped core values and principles and are still at the root of the social, ethical, and moral standards in?China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam.?
• Confucianism taught the values of hard work and that work is essential to life, collectivism and group harmony, reciprocity, hierarchy and respect for elders, obedience, discipline, structured society, humility, and saving face. Being a good person meant not being aggressive, collaborating instead of competing.

The collaborative nature of these cultures also highlights two other core cultural dimensions and huge differences between East and West: collectivism vs. individualism (terms coined by Geert Hofstede The Culture Factor Group )

• Eastern societies tend to be collectivist. A famous quote in #japanese says it all: “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.”
• In collectivist cultures, people mold their values to the groups they belong to, and try not to stand out too much as an individual. Their sense of community, belonging, unity, and loyalty to society are paramount.
• In individualist cultures, people tend to seek individual success and recognition. Being unique is considered a positive trait, and success means being self-sufficient, independent, and self-reliant. Fending for yourself ensures survival, not loyalty to groups.

Perhaps the individualist nature of US Americans is at the root of this unrelenting fight to assert their power, and tout their position the “best” and “most powerful” in the world.

And maybe, just maybe, this individualism is responsible for their straightforwardness—and often, downright audacity—in dealing with other nations. Fighting is actually a normal mode of communicating in America.

Surely, the individualism and the staunchly low-context communication style are linked, and partners in crime.

Of course, American political comments are not always incendiary. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen commented positively on the situation between America and China during a trip to Beijing, as quoted in the CNN article on July 9: “We believe that the world is big enough for both of our countries to thrive. Both nations have an obligation to responsibly manage this relationship: to find a way to live together and share in global prosperity.” Well said.

3) Finally, Wang spoke about the differences of Westerners and Asians, noting that “you can never become a Westerner.”

• This is a matter of opinion and preferences; if one wants to become Western, or one wants to become Eastern, that’s your prerogative.
• Political opinions aside, Wang was not speaking nonsense: essentially we are talking about two very different cultures existing on two extremely opposite spectrums of values. It's important to spend time studying the culture of the other side.
• Being different at the core does not mean effective collaboration is not possible. The two cultures can even complement each other. No culture is right or wrong, or better or worse. Cultures are just different, and that’s what makes the world an interesting place. Once we accept that, we can start learning how to adapt and bridge the gaps. Cross-cultural training is the first step.

After having grown up in the US and living in Japan and Korea as an adult, I have seen the best of both worlds.

One thing is for sure: Values in these countries are virtuous, deserving of respect, and important to preserve and assert.

What are your experiences with the differences in culture and communication style between East and West?

#interculturaltraining #interculturalcompetence #intercultural #interculturalcommunication