Formality and informality in cultures

The fourth cultural value in the TRAFIC model is formality, with its value being on a continuum alongside informality.

For some cultures, formality and ceremony is an important part of everyday life. In other cultures, formality is eschewed in language and rituals, with a more casual approach favoured.

Formality can often correlate with cultures that tend to be more hierarchical, that is, formality is a way to establish or acknowledge the different societal ‘layers’. Conversely, more egalitarian cultures tend to be more informal, as there is less desire/need to establish people’s positions relative to others.

Cultures that value formality might manifest this in the following ways:

• Terms of address (for example, the use of titles like ‘Doctor’, ‘Professor’, Captain’ etc)
• Symbols, such as flags, uniforms and seating arrangements may be used
• Dress and body language may be determined by conventions (for example, saluting, bowing, business attire)

You may see manifestations of informal culture in a lack of these elements, i.e.:

• A disregard for titles
• Relaxed body language
• Casual dress

Context is also important.

A culture may generally be considered more formal (for example, Japan) or informal (for example, Australia) but there may be sub-cultures or contexts within cultures that are more or less formal than the norm.

For example, the military in Australia would be more formal than the norm. A ‘hanami’ (i.e. cherry blossom) party in Japan involves co-workers and managers (i.e. usually a formal, hierarchical organisation) yet is usually an informal gathering.

It might be important to understand the different context if you are living in a different culture in order to avoid a social faux pas: for example, you may have experienced turning up at an event only to realise you are not appropriately attired!

Are these different attitudes towards formality something that you have observed before, either through culture and/or context? How have they influenced your interactions with others?