“If there’s a specific task to do – you just do it! I have specific questions and I need specific answers to finish the task. That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? Talking about nothing is really frustrating. All this small talk is completely redundant.”
For some, it’s unnecessary, and for others, it’s a way to make sure that everything is in order. Maintaining constant communication, exchanging simple information and emotions allows you to check on an ongoing basis whether everything is fine on both sides – whether your relationship is unthreatened and your work is moving forward in the right direction. People who grew up in a culture of small talk perceive the lack of it as a breakdown in communication, a potential problem. When they don’t know what’s happening on the other side, the situation gets tense for them.
Cultural differences are extremely difficult to grasp without specific knowledge about them. That’s why timely advice is crucial for smooth communication.
