How Different Cultures Show Emotions? Improving Intercultural Communication Skills
Imagine working in the reception lobby, and the wifi stops working. Would you openly show your anger? How would you encourage your child to go swimming in the ocean? How would you react when realizing you have made a mistake with your client?
In individual cultures, such as the USA, Germany, and Finland, people are encouraged to show emotions. Many times people even try to influence the emotions of others. Especially the feelings of joy and happiness are openly displayed. However, you may be misunderstood in other parts of the world where emotions are displayed in a manner. Read more from my blog post about emotions here.
The way people express positive emotions differs across countries, even among individualistic societies. For instance, during a significant life event, one person might shed tears of joy while another may offer a shy smile.
Finnish people are often stereotyped as being neutral in their facial expressions, and even before the COVID-19 pandemic, they tended to keep their distance from others.
‘’Bolivia and El Salvador are the most emotional countries in the world!’’
According to my Mexican husband, Finns tend to be overly neutral when expressing positive emotions, and I wholeheartedly concur. It’s not unusual for us to skip hugs and instead head straight inside for a cup of coffee and a chat, even when reuniting with family members after an extended period apart.
Expressing emotions in collectivist cultures
In collectivist cultures throughout Asia, people often avoid displaying intense emotions, particularly negative ones. Instead, the emphasis is on cultivating positive moods and feelings to promote community harmony. Individuals may even conceal unpleasant emotions by masking them with smiles or other positive gestures.
Consequently, if you reside in Asia, it may be difficult to determine whether someone truly agrees with you, particularly since their communication style is typically more high-context than in many Western nations.
What about Latin America? In Latin America, Mediterranean countries, and many other collectivist cultures, emotions are expressed with the whole body. Have you ever watched a Columbian soap opera? During one episode you can see the whole range of emotions. Although soap operas are more dramatic than everyday life, in many Latin countries, emotions are felt and expressed more vividly than in other parts of the world.
Gallup’s research found out that Bolivia and El Salvador are the most emotional countries in the world! The study measured how many of the 148 countries experienced five positives and five unpleasant feelings the day before. In Bolivia and El Salvador, 59% of the respondents went through all ten emotions! Russia, Lithuania, and Bangladesh, on the other hand, made it to the bottom of the list.
The next time you discuss with a person coming from a different culture, focus on how they show their feelings. For example, if you communicate with someone from Latin America, you should try to use gestures more and show emotions yourself. If you find this strange, you can take advantage of humour and explain your more neutral behaviour in words.
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Her unique coaching style comes from her experience of being internationally certified working style expert and having lived abroad combined with her academic training. By the end of the coaching prgram, you will be able to confidently and effectively communicate in every cultural situation, and by doing so, build stronger relationships, reduce misunderstandings and frustrations and gain a better understanding of how to communicate with anyone!
