How Culture Controls Communication

High-context cultures e.g. Mediterranean, Slav, Central European, are understood through context, nonverbal cues, and between-the-lines interpretation of what is actually said. 

Here, the meanings are created often through what is not said e.g. in body language, silences and pauses, relationships and empathy.

Low-context cultures e.g. most Germanic and English-speaking countries, expect messages to be explicit and specific. Here, the emphasis is on sending and receiving accurate messages directly, and by being precise with spoken or written words.

An affective culture is defined by the ability to readily show your emotions whereas a neutral culture keep their emotions in neutral and they do not show their feelings, but keep them carefully controlled and subdued.