Cross Cultural Profile: The United States and Italy
Although the United States and Italy have a lot in common in terms of financial stability, progressive thinking, and democratic government; these cultures are quite different in a number of aspects. As a whole the Italian people tend to have a more compassionate approach to life than Americans and Italians tend to be more emotional and expressive. Americans are known throughout the world for their strong work ethic and relatively conservative composure. The Italian people appear to have a different set of priorities than American people do. Italy has a long history of art and innovation. This history constantly surrounds the people and acts as a reminder that greatness does not necessarily lie solely in monetary wealth. This history also provides the Italian people with a reminder that excessive wealth and power can lead to downfall. Their family structure and its significance differs from that of the American culture.
Hall’s (1976) “High-context & Low-context” cultural continuum discusses the importance of the message being delivered both individually, as well as in conjunction with the setting in which the message is being delivered. Hall believes that these two aspects are linked, however each audience will focus on either the language used, or the message as a whole, depending on their cultural background.
Hall describes American culture as “Low-context,” that is to say that American audiences derive more meaning from the language in a message rather than the context the message is being delivered in. Americans are apt to listen word for word to what a message is saying and be oblivious to more subtleties in the message such as innuendos. In the United States messages are often sent very directly. When looking at any sort of campaign, be it social, political, or commercial, most of the communicative efforts are clearly spelled out for the audience. American’s like to know exactly what is being presented to them; they don’t like to have to assume or conceptualize on something they may be spending their time and money on.
Italian culture falls closer to the middle of the continuum between high and low context messages. Although the Italian culture is more prone to “high-context” messages, they do not need messages to be “high-context” to derive the messages meaning. Italians are more open to a “high-context” message because they perceive messages as more than just words; a color or a scenario might change the meaning of the words completely. This isn’t to say that “low-context” messaging will not be effective in Italy. Italians, like Americans, are likely to indulge an idea conveyed to them in words. However, while Americans simply want “the facts,” Italians are open to different ways of communicating a message. Much of this is due to the strong heritage of the Italian people and the predominantly Roman Catholic religion. Italians place more importance in the story as a whole, rather than just the words being said. Messages in Italy can convey meaning to more people through images and sounds rather than just using words. Proverbs and metaphors are very strong in the Italian culture and to tap into those to create messages would bring a strong sense of their heritage into a message.
Italy is a very individualist society. The importance placed on the individual and family is due to the heritage and strong religious presence in Italy.That being said it’s important to approach communication initiatives with the idea of promoting the individual rather than the nation as a whole. The family structure in Italian culture is much larger than the “nuclear” family in the United States. The concept of individualism therefore stretches to a greater population of people. Family businesses are more common both in rural and urban parts of Italy. The Italian business world is therefore highly focused on the importance of the individual because it not only affects the business profits, but also ensures the present and future security of the family.
In the United States there is too a strong emphasis placed on the importance of the individual and the family. However the level of patriotism and nationalism found in the United States is far more prevalent than in the Italian culture. This nationalism also places many American people in smaller groups due to a very bilateral political system that places high emphasis on “family values” and “morality.” While Americans might work for their own benefit, they have a strong tie to the success of their country and their beliefs can often extend to smaller groups such as political and social endeavors. This does not by any means define American culture collectivist. Tapping into nationalism in any message in the United States is always a great way to emphasize the importance of a message to the American people, however the importance of the individual and the family remains a top priority. But, using a more collectivist approach to communication in the United States, especially if doing so targeted a specific geographical demographic, could be a successful campaign.
Using a similar tactic in Italy would not be as successful. While using nationalism in Italy wouldn’t deter people from accepting a message, there are much more effective strategies to use when trying to reach a greater audience. Italian family values are not as sharply divided as they are in the United States. Conversely, there are even more political parties to contend with, many of which overlap in beliefs. This makes targeting an audience based on one extreme or another very complicated and a communicator must look at the unifying values of each party to promote a successful message. With the definition of values being clearer, the importance of the individual family becomes so as well.
Italian culture is not much different from American culture. People are all striving to make their own lives better for their families and ensure that their way of life is preserved. From a communication perspective one must realize the subtle difference in the way each of these cultures approaches a message that is directed at them and how they will interpret different kinds of messages. Only when a culture is fully understood can one communicate a message to said culture effectively.