Meeting Etiquette Across Cultures
Practise the IT-English vocabulary for cross-cultural meetings: turn-taking, punctuality norms, interrupting and silence.
0 / 26 completed
1 / 26
A colleague says: 'In our culture, silence in a meeting often means people are thinking, not disagreeing.' What does this highlight?
Interpreting silence differs by culture — it can mean reflection, respect or disagreement.
2 / 26
Which phrase politely 'takes the floor' without rudely interrupting?
'Sorry to jump in, may I add...' signals you want to speak while staying courteous.
3 / 26
A team agrees on 'turn-taking' in calls. What problem does it address?
Explicit turn-taking reduces talking over one another, which is harder to manage on remote, multicultural calls.
4 / 26
What does 'monochronic' attitude to time imply for meetings?
Monochronic cultures treat schedules and punctuality as important; polychronic ones are more flexible.
5 / 26
Which is the most culturally aware way to confirm understanding?
Putting the onus on your own explanation avoids implying the other person failed to understand.
6 / 26
Sarah (US) is leading a code review of a new API endpoint. Kenji (Japan) remains silent for several minutes while reviewing the response data, then finally approves it with a simple 'Okay.' What potential misunderstanding might be occurring, and what could Sarah do to better understand Kenji's behavior?Option A: Kenji is simply being unfriendly.
Option B:
Kenji is signaling that he doesn't need further clarification or discussion, a common practice in Japanese business culture where prolonged questioning can be perceived as impolite.Option C:
Kenji is deliberately trying to frustrate the review process.Option D:
Kenji's silence indicates a technical error with the API response that needs immediate investigation.This scenario highlights the importance of cultural awareness during code reviews. Japanese business culture often values indirect communication and avoids direct confrontation; prolonged questioning can be seen as impolite or challenging.
Sarah could respond by politely asking, 'Just to confirm, do you have any initial thoughts on the response data, or would you like me to elaborate further?' This demonstrates respect for Kenji's cultural norms while still ensuring thorough understanding.7 / 26
David (UK) is leading a sprint planning meeting and asks Maria (Brazil), 'So, what's the timeline looking like?' Maria responds with a detailed breakdown of her tasks, including estimated durations for each, and then pauses, awaiting David's feedback. David then immediately starts assigning tasks to other team members without further discussion about Maria's proposed timeline. What likely cultural difference contributed to this interaction?This scenario highlights the differing expectations around directness and collaborative discussion across cultures. Brazilians often value demonstrating thoroughness and commitment through detailed explanations before seeking feedback, while a more direct questioning style like David's might be perceived as abrupt or lacking consideration for Maria's perspective. It's crucial to recognize that what appears 'passive' in one culture can be considered assertive or even polite in another. Therefore, options A & C are incorrect; option D misinterprets the situation.
8 / 26
PR_Description: "Fixing bug in user authentication. Added logging for failed attempts."
During a Slack discussion about this PR, Alex (Germany) replies with 'Alles gut.' What does this phrase likely mean in the context of code review feedback, and what might be a culturally sensitive adjustment Sarah (US), the reviewer, could make?
'Alles gut' literally translates to 'everything good,' but in German business culture, it's often used as a brief, positive affirmation without further elaboration. It can be perceived as dismissive if not followed up with specific praise or constructive feedback, especially in cultures like the US where more detailed and explicit communication is generally valued. Sarah should acknowledge Alex's quick approval while offering her own observations about testing or logging to ensure alignment.
9 / 26
Sarah is leading a remote code review of a new feature. Alex (Germany) has just submitted a pull request with the following comment: 'Alles gut.' During the Slack discussion, she asks, 'Is there anything you'd like me to focus on?' What does 'Alles gut' likely mean in this context, and what specific action could Sarah take to ensure clear communication and avoid potential misinterpretation?
'Alles gut' translates to 'everything is good' in German. While it can be a quick acknowledgment, it's often used informally and doesn't necessarily constitute constructive code review feedback. Sarah should politely probe further by asking for specific areas Alex wants to discuss or requesting a brief summary of his assessment to ensure she understands his perspective and that her initial interpretation aligns with his.
10 / 26
Sarah (US) is leading a code review of a new API endpoint. Kenji (Japan) remains silent for several minutes while reviewing the response data, then finally approves it with a simple 'Okay.' What potential misunderstanding might be occurring, and what could Sarah do to better understand Kenji's behavior?Option A: Kenji is simply being unfriendly.
Option B:
Kenji is signaling that he doesn't need further clarification or discussion, a common practice in Japanese business culture where prolonged questioning can be perceived as impolite.Option C:
Kenji is deliberately trying to frustrate the review process.Option D:
Kenji's silence indicates a technical error with the API response that needs immediate investigation.This scenario highlights the importance of cultural awareness during code reviews. Japanese business culture often values indirect communication and avoids direct confrontation; prolonged questioning can be seen as impolite or challenging.
Sarah could respond by politely asking, 'Just to confirm, do you have any initial thoughts on the response data, or would you like me to elaborate further?' This demonstrates respect for Kenji's cultural norms while still ensuring thorough understanding.11 / 26
David (UK) is leading a sprint planning meeting and asks Maria (Brazil), 'So, what's the timeline looking like?' Maria responds with a detailed breakdown of her tasks, including estimated durations for each, and then pauses, awaiting David's feedback. David then immediately starts assigning tasks to other team members without further discussion about Maria's proposed timeline. What likely cultural difference contributed to this interaction?This scenario highlights the differing expectations around directness and collaborative discussion across cultures. Brazilians often value demonstrating thoroughness and commitment through detailed explanations before seeking feedback, while a more direct questioning style like David's might be perceived as abrupt or lacking consideration for Maria's perspective. It's crucial to recognize that what appears 'passive' in one culture can be considered assertive or even polite in another. Therefore, options A & C are incorrect; option D misinterprets the situation.
12 / 26
PR_Description: "Fixing bug in user authentication. Added logging for failed attempts."
During a Slack discussion about this PR, Alex (Germany) replies with 'Alles gut.' What does this phrase likely mean in the context of code review feedback, and what might be a culturally sensitive adjustment Sarah (US), the reviewer, could make?
'Alles gut' literally translates to 'everything good,' but in German business culture, it's often used as a brief, positive affirmation without further elaboration. It can be perceived as dismissive if not followed up with specific praise or constructive feedback, especially in cultures like the US where more detailed and explicit communication is generally valued. Sarah should acknowledge Alex's quick approval while offering her own observations about testing or logging to ensure alignment.
13 / 26
Sarah is leading a remote code review of a new feature. Alex (Germany) has just submitted a pull request with the following comment: 'Alles gut.' During the Slack discussion, she asks, 'Is there anything you'd like me to focus on?' What does 'Alles gut' likely mean in this context, and what specific action could Sarah take to ensure clear communication and avoid potential misinterpretation?
'Alles gut' translates to 'everything is good' in German. While it can be a quick acknowledgment, it's often used informally and doesn't necessarily constitute constructive code review feedback. Sarah should politely probe further by asking for specific areas Alex wants to discuss or requesting a brief summary of his assessment to ensure she understands his perspective and that her initial interpretation aligns with his.
14 / 26
Sarah (US) is leading a code review of a new API endpoint. Kenji (Japan) remains silent for several minutes while reviewing the response data, then finally approves it with a simple 'Okay.' What potential misunderstanding might be occurring, and what could Sarah do to better understand Kenji's behavior?Option A: Kenji is simply being unfriendly.
Option B:
Kenji is signaling that he doesn't need further clarification or discussion, a common practice in Japanese business culture where prolonged questioning can be perceived as impolite.Option C:
Kenji is deliberately trying to frustrate the review process.Option D:
Kenji's silence indicates a technical error with the API response that needs immediate investigation.This scenario highlights the importance of cultural awareness during code reviews. Japanese business culture often values indirect communication and avoids direct confrontation; prolonged questioning can be seen as impolite or challenging.
Sarah could respond by politely asking, 'Just to confirm, do you have any initial thoughts on the response data, or would you like me to elaborate further?' This demonstrates respect for Kenji's cultural norms while still ensuring thorough understanding.15 / 26
David (UK) is leading a sprint planning meeting and asks Maria (Brazil), 'So, what's the timeline looking like?' Maria responds with a detailed breakdown of her tasks, including estimated durations for each, and then pauses, awaiting David's feedback. David then immediately starts assigning tasks to other team members without further discussion about Maria's proposed timeline. What likely cultural difference contributed to this interaction?This scenario highlights the differing expectations around directness and collaborative discussion across cultures. Brazilians often value demonstrating thoroughness and commitment through detailed explanations before seeking feedback, while a more direct questioning style like David's might be perceived as abrupt or lacking consideration for Maria's perspective. It's crucial to recognize that what appears 'passive' in one culture can be considered assertive or even polite in another. Therefore, options A & C are incorrect; option D misinterprets the situation.
16 / 26
PR_Description: "Fixing bug in user authentication. Added logging for failed attempts."
During a Slack discussion about this PR, Alex (Germany) replies with 'Alles gut.' What does this phrase likely mean in the context of code review feedback, and what might be a culturally sensitive adjustment Sarah (US), the reviewer, could make?
'Alles gut' literally translates to 'everything good,' but in German business culture, it's often used as a brief, positive affirmation without further elaboration. It can be perceived as dismissive if not followed up with specific praise or constructive feedback, especially in cultures like the US where more detailed and explicit communication is generally valued. Sarah should acknowledge Alex's quick approval while offering her own observations about testing or logging to ensure alignment.
17 / 26
Sarah is leading a remote code review of a new feature. Alex (Germany) has just submitted a pull request with the following comment: 'Alles gut.' During the Slack discussion, she asks, 'Is there anything you'd like me to focus on?' What does 'Alles gut' likely mean in this context, and what specific action could Sarah take to ensure clear communication and avoid potential misinterpretation?
'Alles gut' translates to 'everything is good' in German. While it can be a quick acknowledgment, it's often used informally and doesn't necessarily constitute constructive code review feedback. Sarah should politely probe further by asking for specific areas Alex wants to discuss or requesting a brief summary of his assessment to ensure she understands his perspective and that her initial interpretation aligns with his.
18 / 26
Sarah (US) is leading a code review of a new API endpoint. Kenji (Japan) remains silent for several minutes while reviewing the response data, then finally approves it with a simple 'Okay.' What potential misunderstanding might be occurring, and what could Sarah do to better understand Kenji's behavior?Option A: Kenji is simply being unfriendly.
Option B:
Kenji is signaling that he doesn't need further clarification or discussion, a common practice in Japanese business culture where prolonged questioning can be perceived as impolite.Option C:
Kenji is deliberately trying to frustrate the review process.Option D:
Kenji's silence indicates a technical error with the API response that needs immediate investigation.This scenario highlights the importance of cultural awareness during code reviews. Japanese business culture often values indirect communication and avoids direct confrontation; prolonged questioning can be seen as impolite or challenging.
Sarah could respond by politely asking, 'Just to confirm, do you have any initial thoughts on the response data, or would you like me to elaborate further?' This demonstrates respect for Kenji's cultural norms while still ensuring thorough understanding.19 / 26
David (UK) is leading a sprint planning meeting and asks Maria (Brazil), 'So, what's the timeline looking like?' Maria responds with a detailed breakdown of her tasks, including estimated durations for each, and then pauses, awaiting David's feedback. David then immediately starts assigning tasks to other team members without further discussion about Maria's proposed timeline. What likely cultural difference contributed to this interaction?This scenario highlights the differing expectations around directness and collaborative discussion across cultures. Brazilians often value demonstrating thoroughness and commitment through detailed explanations before seeking feedback, while a more direct questioning style like David's might be perceived as abrupt or lacking consideration for Maria's perspective. It's crucial to recognize that what appears 'passive' in one culture can be considered assertive or even polite in another. Therefore, options A & C are incorrect; option D misinterprets the situation.
20 / 26
PR_Description: "Fixing bug in user authentication. Added logging for failed attempts."
During a Slack discussion about this PR, Alex (Germany) replies with 'Alles gut.' What does this phrase likely mean in the context of code review feedback, and what might be a culturally sensitive adjustment Sarah (US), the reviewer, could make?
'Alles gut' literally translates to 'everything good,' but in German business culture, it's often used as a brief, positive affirmation without further elaboration. It can be perceived as dismissive if not followed up with specific praise or constructive feedback, especially in cultures like the US where more detailed and explicit communication is generally valued. Sarah should acknowledge Alex's quick approval while offering her own observations about testing or logging to ensure alignment.
21 / 26
Sarah is leading a remote code review of a new feature. Alex (Germany) has just submitted a pull request with the following comment: 'Alles gut.' During the Slack discussion, she asks, 'Is there anything you'd like me to focus on?' What does 'Alles gut' likely mean in this context, and what specific action could Sarah take to ensure clear communication and avoid potential misinterpretation?
'Alles gut' translates to 'everything is good' in German. While it can be a quick acknowledgment, it's often used informally and doesn't necessarily constitute constructive code review feedback. Sarah should politely probe further by asking for specific areas Alex wants to discuss or requesting a brief summary of his assessment to ensure she understands his perspective and that her initial interpretation aligns with his.
22 / 26
Sarah is leading a code review. Kenji submits a PR with the following comment: 'Alles gut.' What does this likely indicate regarding his feedback?
// Alles gut'Alles gut' is a German phrase that literally translates to 'everything good'. In this context, it's a common way to express approval or acceptance of a code change without needing further elaboration. The other options suggest a more critical or inquisitive response.
23 / 26
David (UK) is in a daily standup meeting and asks Maria (Brazil), 'Can you give us an update on the user profile feature?' Maria responds with a detailed breakdown of her tasks, including estimated durations for each. What might be perceived as inappropriate or culturally insensitive about this response?
// David's questionIn many Western cultures (including the UK), standups prioritize brevity and high-level summaries. A highly detailed breakdown can be seen as dominating the conversation and potentially slowing down other team members' updates. While thoroughness is valued, it's not always appropriate for a brief status update.
24 / 26
Alex (Germany) writes in a Slack channel: 'Ich bin damit einverstanden.' Regarding code review feedback, what does this mean?
// Alex's message'Ich bin damit einverstanden' translates to 'I agree with this'. It signifies acceptance and approval of the changes proposed. The other options represent different types of feedback or concerns that would require more detailed communication.
25 / 26
Kenji (Japan) is reviewing an API response and silently observes for several minutes before approving it with a simple 'Okay'. What cultural nuance might be at play?
// Kenji's actionIn Japanese business culture, silence can be interpreted as thoughtfulness, respect for seniority, or careful consideration. It's not necessarily indicative of disagreement or disinterest. This behavior reflects a preference for indirect communication and avoiding direct confrontation – a common characteristic in East Asian work environments.
26 / 26
Sarah (US) is reviewing a code change and asks Maria (Brazil), 'Do you want me to look at the test coverage for this?' What potential misunderstanding could arise due to cultural differences?
// Sarah's questionThe concept of 'test coverage' as a specific metric for evaluating code changes isn't universally understood or prioritized. In some cultures (like Brazil), a more holistic assessment of the code's functionality and potential issues is preferred over rigidly focusing on quantitative metrics like test coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the "Meeting Etiquette Across Cultures" exercise practise?
Practise the IT-English vocabulary for cross-cultural meetings: turn-taking, punctuality norms, interrupting and silence.
How many questions are in this exercise?
This exercise has 26 questions, each multiple-choice with a full explanation shown after you answer.
What English level is this exercise for?
This exercise is tagged Intermediate. If the vocabulary feels difficult, browse the Cross-Cultural Communication category page for an easier module to start with.
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Do I get feedback if I answer incorrectly?
Yes — whichever option you choose, right or wrong, you'll immediately see an explanation clarifying the correct term and why the other options don't fit.
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Yes — once you finish all the questions, a "Try again" button on the results screen resets the exercise so you can practise as many times as you like.
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Is "Meeting Etiquette Across Cultures" part of a larger series?
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