Greetings
Americans typically greet each other with handshakes, light embraces, or cheek kisses as a gesture of mutual respect. Vietnamese prioritize hierarchical relationships in communication; it is customary to greet elders with a nod and clasped hands, while with children, a slight bow is customary. Handshakes are also common when meeting business partners, friends, or colleagues.
Americans
VietnameseExpressing Personal Opinions
Americans value honesty and directness in communication and life in general. In the U.S., lying is considered a sin and worse than stealing. Additionally, they seem to believe that those who are hesitant and verbose in communication are untrustworthy. Americans always address issues directly and typically prioritize outcomes over processes.
Americans tend to speak bluntly
Vietnamese individuals value precision and subtlety, exercising caution in communication and placing importance on elegance. When resolving issues, they often prioritize the process over Americans, embracing compromise and avoiding conflicts.Making Acquaintances
Americans generally have open-minded, bold, and confident thoughts. The majority of Vietnamese individuals have become adept at making acquaintances and communicating confidently and naturally. However, many still feel hesitant and shy when meeting new people.
Americans are confident and bold
The majority have become adept at making acquaintances and communicating confidently and naturallyApology Culture
Apologizing is entirely normal for Americans. They readily apologize when they make mistakes, and they may even apologize preemptively, before knowing right from wrong, then proceed to negotiate and reconcile. Vietnamese individuals sometimes feel very hesitant to apologize, fearing that they will lose face, considering apologizing as conceding to others.
Apologizing is entirely normal for Americans
Vietnamese individuals sometimes feel very hesitant to apologizeConversational Style
6. Expressing Personal Emotions
Americans express joy and sadness comfortably and naturally. Vietnamese, on the other hand, often conceal their inner feelings, not wanting to reveal those emotions; outwardly they appear cheerful and smiling, but deep inside, their hearts are burning with unshared thoughts.
Americans express joy and sadness comfortably and naturally.
Vietnamese people often conceal their inner feelings
“Thank you” is like the “pearls before swine” for Westerners as well as Americans. They express gratitude when receiving birthday gifts; they thank each other for help; they express gratitude when sharing, confiding joy, sorrow; they thank each other when sharing a meal, clothes.
Vietnamese people also know how to say thank you, but it's not as common. Sometimes, we even tend to be a bit “economical” with those words.
“Thank you” is like the “bread and butter” for Westerners as well as Americans
Vietnamese people also know how to say thank you, but it's not as common.
8. Problem Framing and Resolution
American people often tackle the issue head-on and prioritize the ultimate outcome, willing to confront challenges as long as they reach the final goal.
Vietnamese people, on the other hand, emphasize execution, accept taking the scenic route, spending a bit more time, but without leading to future difficulties and still achieving results.
Americans often tackle the issue head-on
Vietnamese people emphasize execution, accept taking the scenic route, spending a bit more time, but without leading to future difficulties and still achieving results.
Buzz
