Tight vs. Loose Culture
Which type of culture is generally more comfortable taking risks and being creative in negotiation?
Loose culture
What’s the first step you should take when preparing to negotiate with someone from another culture?
Learning about their cultural norms
True or False — Loose cultures tend to value structure and hierarchy more than open communication.
False
True or False — Negotiators from tight cultures usually prefer quick, informal decisions to keep the process efficient.
False
Which type of culture is generally more flexible and open to change — tight or loose?
Loose culture
What is one key reason it’s important to understand whether a culture is tight or loose before negotiating?
It helps prevent misunderstandings
True or False — In tight cultures, showing strong individuality or creativity during negotiations is often seen as disrespectful.
True
True or False — A person’s nationality always determines how tight or loose their culture is.
False — jobs, regions, and personal backgrounds can also shape their negotiation style.
In negotiation, what does it mean when we say a culture is “tight”?
Strong social norms/rules
Why might a negotiator from a tight culture avoid making fast decisions?
They prefer structure/careful review
In this East Asian country, negotiators often use silence strategically and avoid direct confrontation to preserve harmony and respect.
Japan
When companies create mixed teams of people from different backgrounds, success often depends less on cultural knowledge and more on this interpersonal ability.
Emotional intelligence