🇬🇧 British Manners
Core values: Politeness, restraint, emotional moderation, social harmony.
- Indirect communication
- Apologising frequently
- Softening statements
- Emotional reserve
- Avoiding confrontation
Politeness style:
✨ Gentle, subtle, indirect
Risk:
Things can be left unsaid, leading to misunderstanding.
🇩🇪 German Manners
Core values: Clarity, honesty, structure, respect through precision.
- Direct communication
- Strong boundaries
- Punctuality
- Reliability
- Emotional privacy
Politeness style:
🎯 Clear, direct, no embellishment
Risk:
Can feel blunt or emotionally distant to others.
🇫🇷 French Manners
Core values: Elegance, intellectual engagement, social codes, charm.
- Formal greetings
- Polished conversation
- Debate as bonding
- Emotional expression
- Romantic subtlety
Politeness style:
🎭 Stylish, expressive, nuanced
Risk:
Can feel aloof, complex, or emotionally ambiguous.
🇮🇹 Italian Manners
Core values: Emotion, family loyalty, expressiveness, warmth.
- High emotional expressiveness
- Physical warmth
- Animated conversation
- Passionate connection
- Strong family ties
Politeness style:
🔥 Warm, emotional, dramatic
Risk:
Can feel intense or overwhelming to reserved cultures.
🇳🇱 Dutch Manners
Core values: Honesty, equality, efficiency, simplicity.
- Extremely direct
- No hierarchy signalling
- Strong personal autonomy
- Minimal small talk
- Pragmatic thinking
Politeness style:
⚡ Ultra-direct, efficient
Risk:
Can feel brutally honest to outsiders.
🇧🇪 Belgian Manners
Core values: Politeness, diplomacy, modesty, social harmony.
- Softened communication
- Careful emotional expression
- Strong politeness rituals
- Indirect conflict handling
Politeness style:
🌿 Gentle, diplomatic, restrained
Risk:
Can feel reserved or emotionally cautious.
🧭 Quick Comparison Summary
| Culture | Directness | Emotion | Warmth | Formality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British | Low | Low–Medium | Medium | High |
| German | High | Low | Low–Medium | Medium |
| French | Medium | High | Medium | High |
| Italian | Low | Very High | Very High | Medium |
| Dutch | Very High | Low | Low | Low |
| Belgian | Low–Medium | Medium | Medium | High |
