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Cultural diversity in England has greatly influenced business communication styles. With a vast majority of Asians, Indians and other nationalities penetrating into the workforce, the business etiquette is gradually merging to a high-low context society as well as individualistic and collectivistic culture. However, high formality and rank distinction is observed and is rooted in their monarchial governmental system. In an article by Matthews (2002), a UK head-hunter Steve Simmance, expresses his concerns about the migration of other cultures and their influences on their communication styles, “British boardroom culture involves hiding what you really want to say in a clever language that outsiders cannot understand. By contrast, non-Brits who are increasingly being brought in to run UK companies often have a more open way of doing business…non-UK execs share a willingness to say what they mean and mean what they say, without relying on the nods, winks and nuances that have become entrenched in our business language.” England is located in Europe. Although mainly known globally as United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, England together with Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland make up the UK. England, Scotland and Wales make up Great Britain. The capital of England is London which is one of the most economically advanced and diverse cities in the world. People from England are commonly referred to as British, Britons or English. English is the dominant language in England and its most valuable tax-free export. England’s climate is mild and damp, with temperatures moderated by light winds. At any time in any part of England, expect cloudy weather and light drizzle. The governmental system of England is a constitutional monarchy that comprises of the head of state and head of government: Queen and Prime minister respectively. The Queen is also head of the Church of England and unlike the Prime minister, has no interference with the daily governance of the country but only serves as an advisor and a monument of their hierarchical and monarchial past. The English are mainly Christians but predominantly protestant hence the Church of England. The British currency is the Pound which is slightly higher than the American Dollar in value. The most common forms of communication through media in England are newspapers, magazines, and its famous Television network BBC. Transportation in England is fairly cheap with buses. The buses are referred to as coaches or ferries when traveling through the English Channel to neighboring European counties such as France. England has strong political and economic ties with America. There is a combination of low context and high context communication in England. English people do not only rely on verbal communication to covey meaning, the use of winks and nods are part of a communication style in the work place. In contrast to America’s low context communication style that calls for open mindedness, initiative, high tones and firm handshakes in affirming a point, English people, use low tones when affirming a point. British people tend to speak in low moderate tones, maintaining personal space. Raising the voice is viewed as arrogant. English people are not noted for initiating conversations and tend to shy away from people that seem invasive. To avoid such circumstances most tend to read a newspaper. Most people use weather or sports to initiate conversation. Such topics show friendliness. Fletcher, W.(2005), in his article, clearly demonstrates some of the differences between communication context between the English and Americans: “Americans are not shy about selling themselves; most British are. Opinions varied from the American who said: ‘In business, you are always selling, whether it’s products, ideas or yourself. But British find this tacky, to a British who griped: ‘You must constantly push yourself forward. They do so, if you don’t, you fall back. You’ve got to radiate enthusiasm all the time.” In a business work place in England, the collectivistic cultural value is more observed than the individualistic cultural value. An excerpt from Cultural Advice (2004) asserts that employees usually wait on the boss for directions for certain tasks. After the decisions have been conveyed, individuals have the freedom to achieve their goals individually. However, the end result should be positive and collective. “Among colleagues of different rank, there can be restrained and indirect communication , postponed decision-making and a tendency to wait for direction from above. Individuals have considerable freedom to achieve goals on their own, as long as directions have been carefully provided from above, and there is periodic review of progress.” Unlike taking initiative and working on a project before hand, like in the American business culture, the English business culture prefers for its employees to wait for directions. Not waiting for instructions is regarded as pomposity or rudeness. English people are known to be very well- mannered and very formal in both addressing an individual by name and by physical appearance. The hierarchical and formality style of the English stems from their monarchial traditions. People are usually addressed with some sort of a prefix to their last name and are usually in terms of seniority in position. This formality transcends to the business zone. A passage from executive planet (2004) asserts that, there is rigid separation between ranks in business in England. When it come to attire in the work place, conservative dressing is best. Men are advised not to wear strip ties because they usually have an affiliation to an institution such as a school or university of whom you might not belong. When doing business in England, be aware of communication styles that are used. It is always wise to do a little research to prepare before hand and learn simple business etiquettes so as to ease up a transition and eliminate possible errors in a workplace. England is very diverse today; its communication style is gradually changing to accommodate its increase diversity. |
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