What characterizes high context cultures in communication?

High context cultures are characterized by a communication style that relies heavily on situational cues and shared background knowledge. In these cultures, much of the meaning is derived from the context in which the communication takes place, rather than from the spoken or written words alone. This means that non-verbal cues, tone of voice, body language, and the overall environment play crucial roles in conveying messages.

Individuals from high context cultures often assume that their listeners share the same contextual understanding and cultural nuances, which allows for more implicit communication. This can manifest in subtle gestures and references that may not be easily understood without a common cultural background.

In contrast, the other options refer to different aspects of communication styles found in low context cultures, where explicit verbal messages are prioritized, written correspondence is more common, and communication tends to be more direct and clear. High context cultures emphasize indirect communication, suggesting a richer, more nuanced interaction based on the relationship and environmental factors surrounding the dialogue.