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Telephoning across cultures

Many people are not very confident about using the telephone in English. However, good

preparation can make telephoning much easier and more effective. Then, once the call begins,speak slowly and clearly and use simple language.

Check that you understand what has been said. Repeat the most important information,

look for confirmation. Ask for repetition if you think it is necessary.

Remember too that different cultures have different ways of using language. Some speak

in a very literal way so it is always quite clear what they mean. Others are more indirect, using

hints, suggestions and understatement (for example not very good results = absolutely

disastrous) to put over their message. North America, Scandinavia, Germany and France areexplicit countries, while the British have a reputation for not making clear exactly what they

mean. One reason for this seems to be that the British use language in a more abstract way than

most Americans and continental Europeans. In Britain there are also conventions of politeness

and a tendency to avoid showing ones true feelings. For example if a Dutchman says an idea is

interesting he means that it is interesting. If an Englishman says that an idea is interesting

you have to deduce from the way he says it whether he means it is a good idea or a bad idea.

Meanwhile, for a similar reason Japanese, Russian and Arabs subtle countries

sometimes seem vague and devious to the British. If they say an idea is interesting it may be outof politeness.

The opposite of this is that plain speakers can seem rude and dominating to subtle

speakers, as Americans can sound to the Britishor the British to the Japanese.

The British have the tendency to engage in small talk at the beginning and end of a

telephone conversation. Questions about the weather, health, business in general and what one

has been doing recently are all part of telephoning, laying a foundation for the true purpose of

the call. At the end of the call there may well be various pleasantries, Nice talking to you, Sayhello to the family (if you have met them) and Looking forward to seeing you again soon. A

sharp, brief style of talking on the phone may appear unfriendly to a British partner. Not all

nationalities are as keen on small talk as the British!

Being aware of these differences can help in understanding people with different cultural

traditions. The difficulty on the telephone is that you cannot see the body language to help you.

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Appointments

Hello? Mr. Rossi? This is the Australian Chemical Bank. Im Mr. Whitles secretary. I

understand you have an appointment for 10 a.m. on Tuesday 13th

. Im afraid that Mr. Whitley israther tied up them. Could I suggest Monday instead?

Yes, Im sure that will be OK.

Hello, Mr. Rossi? Tim Brown, your agent. Small problem. Our meeting for Friday is all right,

but Monday afternoon is likely to be difficult; someone is coming to see us who might be a

useful outlet for some of your range. perhaps we could change our meeting to Tuesday

afternoon?

Yes, OK. Right, thats fine.

Mr. Rossi? Its Jenny Kinsella here. From B.I.G. Im sorry but my colleagues cant all make it

on Thursday afternoon. Could I suggest we meet on Tuesday instead?

Er yes why not? OK Well, thank you very much.

Hello again, Tim Brown here again. I forgot; I have some other customers visiting on Friday

morning. How about a meeting on Thursday sometime, if thats all right with you?

Right. Sorry to be difficult. Thanks a lot, Mr. Rossi. Bye now.

Mr. Rossi? Good morning. Im ringing for Mr. Lund of Lund and Lund Associates. Hes very

sorry, but he wont be able to manage Wednesday afternoon. Could I suggest Friday afternooninstead?

Well, I think that should be all right. Ill give you a cal this afternoon to confirm. Thank you.

Goodbye.

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Conversation

In some countries, like Italy and Britain, conversation is a form of entertainment. There is

an endless flow and if you break the flow for a second someone else will pick it up. In othercountries there is a higher value placed on listening it is not only impolite to break in but

listeners will consider what has been said in silence before responding. Finland and Japan are

examples.

If you are talking to people who are also speaking English as a foreign language, they are

likely to leave gaps and silences while they search for words or try to make sense of what you

have just said. So be patient and try not to interrupt, as you would hope they would be patient

with you.

Every country has its own codes of etiquette. For example it is common for Anglo-

Saxons to use first names very quickly, even in a letter of fax or telephone call. Such instant

familiarity is much less acceptable in the rest of Europe and Asia where even business partners

and colleagues of many years acquaintance address each other by the equivalent of Mr. or Mrs.

And the last name or job title.

So stick to last names unless you specifically agree to do otherwise. Dont interpret the

other persons formality as stiffness or unfriendliness. On the other hand, if business partners

with an Anglo-Saxon background get on to first name terms straightaway, dont be surprised.

Above all, one should remember that people do not usually mind if their own codes are

broken by foreigners as long as they sense consideration and goodwill. This is much more

important than a set of rules of etiquette.