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CMA Foundation · Fundamentals of Business Laws and Business Communication · Intercultural and International Business Communication

An Indian exporter from Pune writes to a German buyer, where business culture is low-context. Which approach to the letter is most suitable?

With a low-context buyer such as a German firm, the letter should state the new delivery date, the reason and the action needed clearly and directly. Hints and implied meanings suit high-context cultures and would leave a low-context reader unclear about the facts.

  1. AHint at the delivery delay and expect the buyer to read between the lines
  2. BOpen with long personal remarks and mention the delay only by implication
  3. CState the revised delivery date, the reason and the required action clearly and directlyCorrect
  4. DLeave the details to be understood from the long relationship

Explanation

Low-context receivers expect the message to be explicit and precise, as they do not rely on unspoken cues. Hinting or implying, as in the other options, would leave them unsure of the actual information.

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