Cultural Perspectives on Silence
Communication is typically associated with active dialogue and, therefore, the presence of speech. However, silence also plays a notable role in communication, which is not to be underrated and ignored. Silence provides an opportunity to express specific ideas implicitly and offers a unique opportunity to build a rapport. Since, in Chinese culture, silence is typically used to express respect to those being addressed, it needs to be actively incorporated into the communication framework.
Overall, it is strongly recommended that silence should be used actively when communicating with Chinese business partners. Pause and silence are typically utilized to mark important parts of communication and emphasize one’s appreciation for and respect for the interlocutor in Chinese culture (Bathurst & Chen, 2022). In other words, silence serves as the means of marking differences in the social hierarchy statuses of the conversation participants. Thus, when talking to those of a higher rank, silence, mainly waiting for the interlocutor to start the conversation, is mandatory.
Influences on the Perception of Silence: Gender, Age, Social Status, and Environment
Gender
Though gender roles are gradually changing in China, the prevalence of patriarchy is still noticeable. As a result, silence is typically reserved for women as a crucial part of the gender roles imposed on them. Therefore, women are expected to be silent in communication as opposed to men. Similarly, age is a factor in how silence is used in communication, with younger participants of a conversation being silent more frequently than older ones to pay respect to the latter.
Social Status
Social status also plays a significant role in how silence is utilized in the dialogue. In a conversation where one or some of the participants are of a higher social status than the rest, silence is expected of the latter (Bathurst & Chen, 2022). Therefore, being deeply entrenched in Chinese culture’s very fabric, the specified communication approach remains essential.
Age
Additionally, in the home and family environment, silence is used to express respect for older family members in China. The use of silence to demonstrate appreciation or respect for the conversation participant does not imply remaining silent throughout the process; instead, it suggests offering the interlocutor the opportunity to speak first and express their ideas (Bathurst & Chen, 2022). Furthermore, silence, as the use of pauses, suggests that one has thoroughly considered one’s ideas before voicing them.
Environment
Consequently, one demonstrates respect for the participants’ time as the message expressed after a pause is expected to contain the refined and concise amalgamation of one’s thoughts (Bathurst & Chen, 2022). Therefore, silence needs to be integrated into business communication when conversing with Chinese partners. The specified addition to the communication approach will allow one to gain immediate respect in the eyes of Chinese partners and establish a quick rapport with them.
Recommendation of Using Silence in Business Communication
For this reason, in a business context, it is recommended that silence should be incorporated into the navigation of scheduled business meetings. In the course of a meeting, one should remain silent unless asked to voice an opinion. Additionally, one should adopt active listening techniques that do not involve vocal interruptions of the partners’ speech but, instead, rely on nonverbal communication. Finally, one should examine how Chinese people use body language in business contexts, notably when voicing approval or disapproval, such as changes in the tone of voice or facial expressions (Bathurst & Chen, 2022). With the specified knowledge, one will be able to participate in Chinese business meetings while following proper etiquette.
Due to the role of silence as a means of expressing respect to those being talked to and demonstrating one’s willingness to remain polite and civil, it needs to be actively used as a communication tool. Specifically, in the Chinese environment, silence should be utilized when using the active listening technique, with the core strategies being geared toward utilizing subtle gestures such as slight nods. Thus, silence can be used to communicate respect and appreciation for the conversation participants.
Reference
Bathurst, R. J., & Chen, M. S. (2022). Leadership and China: Philosophy, place and practice. Taylor & Francis.