This Chinese New Year, many of us had a great time spending quality moments with family and catching up with friends. At the same time, we observed how each person has grown so much in just a year. You may have noticed some extroverts becoming more introverted, and introverts becoming more extroverted. As we gather with people of all ages in life, I’ve also observed and experienced different communication culture traits, which led me to read and research more during this holiday.
Undoubtedly, effective communication is at the heart of every interaction, whether personal or professional. However, communication styles can vary significantly across cultures. According to the award-winning TV journalist and CEO of Soulcast Media, Jessica Chen, there is a ‘quiet culture’ and ‘loud culture’ paradox.
What does this mean?
On this auspicious celebration, it has become a norm for my group of friends, who are all geographically dispersed, to make an attempt to meet at least once a year. Friends who are abroad would fly in to join us, with some coming from Canada and others from Australia and Singapore. Whenever gathering took place, friends from Canada and Australia tend to be more expressive and share their experiences, whereas the rest tend to sit back and listen to their stories.
Have you encountered something like this? Not just during friends’ gatherings but perhaps more prominently in your workplace? In the workplace, you tend to be surrounded by people with louder, assertive traits. Just think about this — have you come across colleagues who tend to be loud at work? Whenever they enter the office, they make their presence known.
Typically, you will see many Asian culture, like ours, gravitate towards ‘quiet culture’ traits, where we don’t boast or talk much about ourselves. We tend to be humble, avoid direct confrontation, and respect hierarchy. Whereas Western cultures are often perceived as having a more ‘loud culture’, where directness and assertiveness are valued.
Let me give you a real example. In a town hall meeting, do you notice that whenever it is a Q&A session, the room will be quiet and the host will have to keep inviting questions from the floor? If you are lucky, you probably will have one or two questions.
Knowing all these, you might ask which communication culture traits should you embrace?
Well, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Both loud and quiet culture traits have their merits. Loud communication cultures are often characterised by direct, expressive, and energetic styles, while quiet communication cultures prioritise subtlety, listening, and harmony.
Understanding the differences between these culture traits can help us adapt our communication styles and build stronger relationships with our family and peers, navigating diverse social and work environments.
For people managers out there, this is really important, as many may tend to overlook those who embrace the quiet culture, as those who embrace the loud culture are the ones who always get noticed as they always speak up.
So, here are some tips for you to navigate these differences:
1. Be Mindful: Pay attention to the communication style of the person you’re interacting with. Adjust your approach to match their preferences, showing respect for their cultural norms.
2. Embrace Diversity: Recognise that both loud and quiet communication styles have their strengths. Embrace the diversity of communication styles and appreciate the unique contributions each can bring.
3. Practice Flexibility: Be flexible in your communication approach. If you’re used to a loud communication style, try adopting a quieter approach in certain situations, and vice versa.
4. Seek Clarification: If you’re unsure about the meaning behind someone’s communication, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. This can prevent misunderstandings and foster clearer communication.
In conclusion, understanding and appreciating the differences between loud and quiet communication cultures can greatly enhance our ability to communicate effectively in a multicultural world. By being mindful, flexible, and respectful, we can bridge the gap between these contrasting styles and build stronger, more harmonious relationships.
