Politeness Principle & Cultural Cues

Question 1

What is it (for) ?

Answer 1

• Theoretical foundation by Grace & Leech
  Maximizing respect & minimizing friction
• preservation of others self-esteem and maintenance of harmony

Question 2

purpose

Answer 2

• social harmony
  -demonstration of respect
  -> varying norms across, politeness tailored to expectation
  -> essental for effective communication: reflection of interest in target cultures

Question 3

Leschs Politeness Maxime - tact maxime

Answer 3

• minimizing imposition, maximizing benefit to others
• indirect language to soften requests

Question 4

generosity maxime

Answer 4

• prioritizing others´needs - collectivist cultures

Question 5

appropriateness

Answer 5

culturally adaptive - content dependent

Question 6

positive Politeness - Types of politeness

Answer 6

• expressing solidarity, friendliness
• e.g. compliments, inclusive language (“we” .. “let us”)

Question 7

negative Politeness (through negation= Ablehnung) - Types of politeness

Answer 7

• minimizes imposition e.g. “I`m sure you won’t want to…
• apologizing, indirect phrasing (I don’t meant to bother, but could you)

Question 8

Off record politeness - Types of Politeness

Answer 8

• hints instead of imposing, discretion in response
• instead of suggesting opening a window, hint at being asked: “Its quite warm I here”

Question 9

Western cultures- low context cultures ( e.g. USA, Germany)

Answer 9

appreciation of time-effective communication
- variation of politeness norms based on how it is culturally expressed!

Question 10

eastern cultures - high-context cultures (Japan, China)

Answer 10

• relationship-focused & indirect communication
• variation of politeness norms based on how it is culturally expressed!

Question 11

Japan - Politeness

Answer 11

• non-verbal respect: bowing, distant proxemics (distanzierte, zwischenmenschliche Signale), avoidance of direct eye contact
• avoidance of direct rejection: confrontative
• “Sumimasen”: “excuse me” - serves as apology & request equally

Question 12

China - Politeness

Answer 12

• indirect communication: direct refusals are rare; “saving one’s face” is important
• humidity shown by downplaying compliments - making compliments is appreciated, taking them is not

Question 13

South Korea - Politeness

Answer 13

• important empathic on age ( & marital status)
• honorific prefixes and suffixes
• older people are always addressed formally, unless they offer otherwise
• age & rank play a critical role: rude and impolite to address someone with higher rank with no honorific suffix

Question 14

United States - Politeness

Answer 14

• directness is common, however politeness markers are appreciated
• compliments are given only, appreciated and reciprocated
• typically opening conversation by asking “how are you doing”
  -thanking people for taking time (e.g. in meetings that you asked for)

Question 15

germany - politeness

Answer 15

• punctuality shows respect, especially inlayer ranks
  -clarity in communication: truthfulness, direct feedback
• criticism is straightforward, however is appreciated

Question 16

politeness in Middle East

Answer 16

greeting rituals
* warm greetings, inquiries about well-being and family are common
❖ hospitality
* emphasis on inviting guests, offering food, giving gifts without expectation of reciprocity
* hospitality is expected and reciprocated
❖ respect for religious practices
* sensitivity for prayer times, religious topics are approached with utmost care
* you wait for the host to initiate conversations about potentially sensitive topics

Question 17

politeness is African cultures

Answer 17

❖ community emphasis
* interactions prioritize group harmony and cohesion
❖ greeting norms
* handshakes often involve prolonged contact; friendliness and connection emphasized
❖ respect for hierarchies
* older individuals addressed formally; titles are signs of respect

Question 18

Politeness in Latin American Cultures

Answer 18

❖ expressive & warm interactions
* affectionate greetings, often involving cheek kisses
❖ relationship-building comes before business
* casual conversations and small talk precede business conversations
❖ indirect requests
* appreciation of softened directness (‘would you mind…’, ‘do you think it would be
possible to…’)

Question 19

Do (everywhere)

Answer 19

❖ active listening
❖ adapt
❖ use titles (Prof., Dr., Sir, -san…)

Question 20

Do (everywhere)

Answer 20

❖ hierarchy-sensitive communication
❖ diplomacy
❖ respect punctuality norms (e.g. Germany vs. Latin
America)
* in Latin America, punctuality is perceived much more flexible

Question 21

Don’t (anywhere)

Answer 21

❖ stereotype
❖ overfamiliarity
❖ assume English as default

Question 22

Don’t (anywhere)

Answer 22

❖ interrupt
❖ assumptions about eye-contact
❖ gestures without knowing context