Country List of Cultural Characteristics
What You'll Learn
- Quick summary of different cultures social orientation, communication style and perception of time
The following list is very simplified. If you are planning on doing business in a specific culture, it is important that you investigate that culture more thoroughly. (See Recommended Reading)
| Country | Social Orientation | Directness | Expressivity | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Argentina | Relationship-oriented | Somewhat direct | Expressive | Somewhat relaxed |
 |
Australia | Task-oriented | Direct | Colorful but not necessarily emotional | Neutral to somewhat brisk |
 |
Brazil: Rio area | Relationship-oriented | Somewhat indirect | Expressive | Relaxed |
|
Brazil: Sao Paolo area | Somewhat relationship-oriented | Medium | Medium | Neutral to somewhat brisk |
 |
Canada | Task-oriented | Direct | Neutral to somewhat reserved | Neutral to somewhat brisk |
 |
China | Relationship-oriented | Indirect | Reserved | Relaxed |
 |
Egypt | Relationship-oriented | Indirect | Expressive | Relaxed |
 |
England | Task-oriented | Direct but understated | Reserved | Relatively brisk |
 |
France | Half task, half relationship | Direct | Assertive but not emotional | Neutral |
 |
Guatemala | Relationship-oriented | Indirect | Expressive | Relaxed |
 |
Germany | Task-oriented | Direct | Reserved | Brisk (in the north & west) |
 |
Hungary | Relationship-oriented | Indirect | Reserved | Relaxed |
 |
India | Relationship-oriented | Indirect | Expressive | Relaxed |
 |
Indonesia | Very relationship-oriented | Indirect | Reserved | Relaxed |
 |
Italy | Relationship-oriented | Direct | Very expressive | Relaxed |
 |
Japan | Highly relationship-oriented | Very indirect | Very reserved | Punctual but flexible |
 |
Jordan | Relationship-oriented | Indirect | Expressive | Relaxed |
 |
Lebanon | Relationship-oriented | Indirect | Expressive | Relaxed |
 |
Mexico | Somewhat relationship-oriented | Somewhat indirect | Expressive | Relaxed |
 |
Malaysia | Relationship-oriented | Indirect | Malaysians: Expressive Chinese: Reserved |
Relaxed |
 |
Netherlands | Task-oriented | Direct | Reserved | Brisk |
 |
Nigeria | Relationship-oriented | Indirect | Expressive | Relaxed |
 |
Norway | Somewhat task-oriented | Direct but understated | Reserved | Relatively brisk |
 |
Pakistan | Relationship-oriented | Indirect | Expressive | Relaxed |
 |
Philippines | Relationship-oriented | Somewhat direct | Reserved | Relaxed |
 |
Poland | Somewhat relationship-oriented | Indirect | Medium | Somewhat relaxed |
 |
Puerto Rico | Relationship-oriented | Indirect | Expressive | Relaxed |
 |
Russia | Relationship-oriented | Indirect | Expressive with people they know | Relaxed |
 |
Saudi Arabia | Relationship-oriented | Indirect | Expressive | Relaxed |
 |
Scotland | Task-oriented | Direct but understated | Reserved | Relatively brisk |
 |
South Korea | Relationship-oriented | Indirect | Reserved | Medium |
 |
Spain | Relationship-oriented | Somewhat direct | Somewhat expressive | Somewhat relaxed |
 |
Taiwan | Relationship-oriented | Indirect | Reserved | Neutral |
 |
Thailand | Relationship-oriented | Very indirect | Somewhat reserved | Relaxed |
 |
Turkey | Relationship-oriented | Indirect | Expressive | Relaxed |
 |
United Arab Emirates | Relationship-oriented | Indirect | Expressive | Relaxed |
 |
United States | Very task-oriented | Direct | North: Reserved South: Expressive |
Very urgent |
 |
Venezuela | Somewhat relationship-oriented | Somewhat indirect | Expressive | Relaxed |
 |
Vietnam | Relationship-oriented | Indirect | Reserved | Relaxed |
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