Unless you’re American, the following quote on the concept of formality might strike you as something odd:
Treat your business relationships like friendships (or potential friendships). Formality puts up walls, And walls don’t foster good business relationships. No one is loyal to a wall… Except the one in China.
Steve Pavlina, American self-help author
Formality, a cornerstone of interactions, varies wildly across cultures and situations. Its influence is unmistakable, shaping how we conduct ourselves in different settings. In this post we’ll delve into the realm of formality, exploring how it plays out in diverse cultures and environments.
Formality in an Intercultural World
Countries show very distinct norms when referring to Formality. This also changes when in business or social environments or interactions.
- American Culture The USA, standing apart, leans towards informality. Nicknames and first names are often the norm, fostering non-hierarchical connections. Australia also shares this laid-back stance.
- Europe and North America culture Germany, France, Spain, and the UK tilt towards formality. Titles and honorifics abound. Languages like French and German, with varying “you” versions, add nuance. Timeliness ranges from the punctual UK and Germany to Italy and France’s more relaxed approach.
- Parts of Asia and the Middle East These cultures are quite formal. Just as an example the Japanese language has three different levels of politeness. Its use is determined by status. Honorifics in Japanese, or keigo, fall under three main categories: polite language, respectful language, and humble language, or modest language. South Korea and Japan prize punctuality, while China allows a 10-minute grace.
- Latin American countries Latin cultures (both Latin European and Latin American) tend to be more flexible about time. Meetings often run late, and leaving early can even be considered as bad manners. In contrast to informal cultures, the use of the family name is preferred.
Linking Formality to the Environment
Not only does the region or country matter, it is also important to point out the environment in which we are doing business or socializing in. Governments, diplomats, law, and banks and financial companies, our oldest institutions, tend to use formal language. When businesses requires creative and speedy problem solving, that’s where people work together in a way that encourage informal communication. Small companies, groups or teams, who must be agile and opportunistic, there is no place for formality.
Linking Formality to other Intercultural Dimensions
The descriptions above are related to the Intercultural Dimensions presented in my How to Build Strong Intercultural Skills post. Let me build a bit further on how some of these other dimensions interrelate to Formality Dimension:
- Dimension of Low and High Context: Formality denotes the extent to which a culture values tradition, ceremony, and social norms. In low context cultures, tradition isn’t a central value, leading to casual attire, informal language towards superiors, and fewer rituals. In contrast, high context cultures uphold tradition, manifesting in formal attire, respectful greetings, and observance of rituals.
- Dimension of Power Distance refers to the degree to which less powerful members of a society accept and expect unequal distribution of power, may also influence behaviors. In countries with higher power distance, such as many Latin American countries, there may be a higher reliance on hierarchical structures and authority figures.
- Nonetheless, we all know that the status of the person we wait for in a meeting is important in most cultures, maybe except for high egalitarian cultures in this regard. This means even in a high-power hierarchical culture, subordinates will assure they arrive before the boss. This dimension is tied very closely with the dimension of Power Distance.
- Dimension of Uncertainty Avoidance this refers to a society’s tolerance for ambiguity, uncertainty, and risk. In high uncertainty avoidance cultures, like Latin American ones, stability, predictability, and adherence to rules prevail. While punctuality might not be paramount, adherence to norms ensures processes or services start on time.
How formal is the Global Leader?
As I state throughout my previous posts, the world has become a huge melting pot and we need to appreciate the beauty of each culture, their unique traditions, and values. We need to grasp the differences to be able to function well in certain situations. Achieving knowledge on cross-cultural differences is a never-ending process. However, it’s worth the effort since it offers business benefits, even new friendships, and unforgettable memories.
