How Different Cultures Deal With Bad News

·         North Americans prefer to present bad news indirectly, to minimize disappointment.

·         In Asian countries, people try to avoid disrupting the harmony with bad news.

·         To avoid saying ‘no’ Japanese communicators may change the subject or may respond with counter question or with silence. Sometimes use such a wording that answer seems ‘yes’ like; ‘I will try my best, but if I can’t, I think you can understand’ or ‘yes, but....’

·         . Brazilians as well prefer high-context communication.  "Maybe" or "I will try" is understood as "No" in Brazilian culture.  

·         But German communicators tend to present bad news directly. Directness is important aspects in business for Germans.

·         British communicators also deal straight with bad news.

·         In Latin countries question is that whether to present bad news or not. Because report bad news to superior is impolite and disrespectful.

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