Skip to content

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

During negotiations, a Japanese manager, from a high-context culture, says 'This will be difficult' in response to a proposal from Mr. Sharma. This most likely signals:

In a high-context culture such as Japan, 'This will be difficult' usually works as a polite, indirect refusal or strong reservation. People avoid a blunt 'no' to maintain harmony and face, so the listener must read the implied meaning rather than the literal words.

  1. AA literal statement that the task is only technically hard
  2. BA polite indirect refusal or serious reservationCorrect
  3. CA clear acceptance with a minor condition
  4. DA request for a lower price only

Explanation

High-context communicators avoid a blunt 'no' to preserve harmony and face, using indirect phrases. Taking it literally, as in the first option, misses the implied meaning. Nothing in the remark suggests acceptance or a price request.

Did you get it right without looking?

One question tells you little. A timed set on Intercultural and International Business Communication shows your real accuracy, how long you take and where you lose marks.

Practise Intercultural and International Business CommunicationFree diagnostic mock

More Intercultural and International Business Communication questions