Formal or Informal

Introduction

Cultures might value the formal, established, reliable, and in some cases almost ritualized way or doing things, while other cultures might value change, informality, and spontaneity. Therefore, cultures may be formal or informal in their general orientation toward protocol itself.

Argentina

Argentinian society in general (except perhaps for the upper-class ruling elite) is not as formal in a Catholic, conservative kind of way as some of the other countries in the region, but it is also not as informal in business or social life as North American society. Even the language is still divided into formal and informal forms and phrases. and personal behaviors are generally ruled by certain etiquette and protocol. Maintaining honor and personal respect is critical. and this, requires a general sensitivity to the issues of protocol.

America

There is structured inequality in the roles people take, but personal equality is guaranteed by law. There is considerable ethnic and social bias against some minorities. Competition is the rule of life, but there is a strong feeling of the inter-dependency of roles. Excellence and decisiveness are prized haracteristics. Material progress is more important than humanistic progress. Traditional] sex roles are changing rapidly, but women are still fighting for equality in pay and power.

China

Until one is brought into the inside. the Chinese culture is formal and keeps the outsider out: when one has earned respect and trust, and built enough good guanxi with important enough people, then one is on the inside. and action can be more spontaneous and informal. The Chinese can move easily and quickly between formal and informal; it is important to begin with an understanding of the culture's formal customs, but be prepared to adjust to informality as the opportunity presents itself.

Colombia

If there is a correct and incorrect way to get things done, then this also tends to formalize our relationships, both socially and in business. Colombian culture is perhaps the most formal of all culture" in Latin America. Family members relate to each other according to formal rules that respect traditional family roles. Formality is rarely artificial or contrived; in fact. it is often caring and spontaneous. But it can be cool. detached, and respectful. Even the language is divided into formal and informal forms and phrases, and personal behaviors are ruled by etiquette and protocol. Maintaining honor and personal pride is critical, and this means a bit more formality. Never insult the honor. pride. or personal beliefs of a Colombian or his or her country, family, colleagues, or associates.

Congo

Central African society is basically formal and ritualized. and each group has its own way of honoring the hierarchies, establishing respect and deference, and following (or not fol1owing) through on their responsibilities. There are formal ways that guests (outsiders) and hosts (insiders) must act toward one another. in order to preserve the honor of all groups and individuals. Nevertheless, and perhaps because of the multi ethnic nature of the country. Congolese are quick to adopt a breezy, informal manner with most individuals -- non-Africans included -- once a relationship has been established.

Egypt

Arab society is formal and ritualized, and each group has its own way of honoring the hierarchies, establishing respect and deference, and following (or not following) through on their responsibilities. They are even more formal when one is an outsider, which is always the case with non-Muslims.

France

If there are "correct" and "incorrect" ways to get things done, then this also tends to formalize relationships, both socially and in business. French culture is a formal culture. Children are raised with care, discipline, and structure; society is organized-in the ancien regime into three estates, in the modem world into distinct social classes, each with its own identifying symbols; language is divided into formal and informal forms and phrases; and personal behaviors are ruled by etiquette and protocol. Simple, easy, and casual is not the basic nature of French culture: it is more formal, complicated, and structured.

Germany

German culture can be quite formal, but that does not mean that Germans cannot be warm, sincere, and friendly; in fact, they often are, but with individuals whom they have grown to know and trust. Although it can take a long time, once relationships have been formed with Germans, they can he informal and casual. However, remember that there is a time and a place for everything in Germany, so one can be warm and friendly at home with friends, while still maintaining the required distance at work. Forma1ities are a way of maintaining cordial and working relationships with individuals until such time as more personal relationships may develop.

India

Indian society is formal and ritualized; each group has its own way of honoring the hierarchies, establishing respect and deference. and following (or not following) through on their responsibilities. It is even more formal when one is on the outside. or just beginning to estab1ish relationships with the in-group.

Indonesia

Indonesian society is formal and ritualized; and each group has its own way of honoring the hierarchies, establishing respect and deference, making face, treating different groups and different levels, and dealing with different situations. It is even more formal, when one is on the outside, or beginning to establish relationships with the in-group, Once inside, it is very personal, but rarely informal.

Italy

In Italy, there are "correct" and "incorrect" ways to get things done, which tends to formalize human relationships, both socially and in business. Family members relate to one another according to formal rules that respect traditional family roles. This does not have to be artificial or contrived: in fact, it is often loving and spontaneous. But it is respectful and formal. Even the language is divided into formal and informal forms and phrases, and personal behaviors are ruled by etiquette and protocol. Honor and personal pride are critical, and this means a bit more formality. Never insult the honor or personal pride of the Italians, their families, their towns, or their friends.

Japan

Japanese culture is one of the world's most formal. From the tea ceremony to the bow, from the way one conducts oneself with a geisha to the way a husband behaves with a wife, a father with a child, and a wife with a mother-in-law, the required behaviors are complex. There is inevitably a prescribed form for most relationships.

Spontaneity is difficult to find in Japan: oxymoronically, there must be a time and a place for spontaneity, and it is usually over sake. This makes for the two contradictory elements of the Japanese personality already referred to briefly: the outer person, or “tatemae”, which reflects what one says, and the inner person, or “hanne”, which reflects what one truly feels and believes. The two may not be the same at anyone time, depending upon the circumstances. Tatemae is most often demonstrated in formal situations (in the office, with the boss, on the street), and honne is usually demonstrated under more spontaneous circumstances (at the bar at night, or at home in bed).

Nigeria

West African society is basically formal] and ritualized, and each group has its own way of honoring the hierarchies, establishing respect and deference, and following (or not following) through on their responsibilities. There are formal ways that guests (outsiders) and hosts (insiders) must act toward one another, in order to preserve the honor of all groups and individuals. Nevertheless, and perhaps because of the multi ethnic nature of the country, Nigerians have adopted a breezy, informal manner with most individuals -- non-Africans included -- that has become, in many ways, a defining hal1mark of their interpersonal communication style.

Philippines

Philippine society is very formal, especially when one is on the outside, or beginning to establish relationships with the in-group. Once inside, it is very personal, and sometimes informal.

Poland

Poles are warm and generous, but not informal. Individuals are not admired for their ability to be spontaneous, they are admired for their ability to know and do the right thing in the right circumstance, through their adherence to established protocol and etiquette.

Russia

Russian society is both formal and spontaneous. The people can be overwhelmingly warm and generous, informal and inclusive. At other times, they can be formal, prescriptive, and demanding to the letter. In negotiations, for example, it will be essential to read and sign a "protocol," a written statement taken at the end of practically every meeting to indicate both side's agreement to what was discussed. Nevertheless, this need for absolute detail is ignored when it comes to the final contract, which, although needing to be as absolutely ironclad and watertight as one can make it, is often ignored over time, due to the fact that circumstances change, and what might have been possible on the day the contract was signed is, in fact, no longer the case down the, road. These contradictory spontaneous and formal behaviors can reveal themselves either positively or negatively in both social and business situations.

Russian formality requires, for example, that guests drink considerable vodka; it usually leads to great informality (if done well), but is itself a formal requirement. Russians have a term for not knowing the formalities, not knowing how to behave: it “nyekulturny” (uncultured). Nevertheless, the rules are expected to be known (the important ones are reviewed below).

Saudi Arabia

Arab society is formal and ritualized, and each group has its own way of honoring the hierarchies, establishing respect and deference, and following (or not following) through on their responsibilities. They are even more formal when one is an outsider, which is always the case with non-Muslims.

Slovenia

Again, due to context, both value systems are held in the region: southern Slavs can be open, spontaneous, and informal as well as formal, closed, and reserved, while waiting to see the outsider show respect for their customs and manners.

Sweden

Sweden, of all the Scandinavian cultures, is probably the most formal, but formality is selective and appropriate only to specific situations. In general, Scandinavian culture is relaxed and not ritualized. “Lagom”, however, usually leads to disapproval of spontaneity and unbridled creativity, unless it quickly can be harnessed to the service of society. Individual expression must not challenge what is clearly socially acceptable and in the best interests of all.