How To Say “This Is Crap” In Different Cultures

Managers in different parts of the world are conditioned to give feedback in drastically different ways. If you’re working with international clients or business partners, it’s important – but difficult – to gauge how a culture handles negativity. One way to do this is by listening to the types of words people use. More direct cultures often use upgraders, words preceding or following negative feedback that make it feel stronger (like “absolutely” or “totally”). Germans and the Dutch have direct cultures. By contrast, indirect cultures use downgraders, words that soften the criticism (“kind of,” “slightly”). Downgrading includes deliberate understatements, like saying “We are not quite there yet” when you really mean “This is nowhere close to complete.” Indirect cultures can be found in the US and Britain. Misunderstanding someone’s intention – or being misunderstood – can cause offense and unintended actions, so it’s important to learn the culture behind the feedback in order to respond correctly.