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Individualistic cultures emphasize personal achievements and independence, whereas collectivist cultures value group harmony and interdependence. For instance, the United States is considered individualistic with a focus on 'I' statements, while China values collectivism with 'we' and group-oriented language.

Silence can be a powerful aspect of communication that varies culturally. In some East Asian cultures, silence can indicate agreement and respect, while in Western cultures, it might be interpreted as disagreement or awkwardness. Knowing when silence is appropriate can be crucial in international interactions.

Greeting rituals can provide insight into a culture's communication practices. In France, a kiss on each cheek is common, while a bow is the traditional greeting in Japan. These differing practices can reflect levels of formality, comfort with physical touch, and the interpersonal distance maintained during interactions.

Gender can influence communication behaviors significantly across cultures. In some Middle Eastern countries, communication between genders is subject to strict social norms, while in Nordic countries, there is a greater level of gender equality in interactions. These differences affect business, politics, and social relations.

Humor is a complex aspect of communication that varies widely across cultures. British humor is often characterized by wit and sarcasm, while American humor may be more direct and slapstick. Misunderstandings can arise when humor does not translate well across cultural boundaries.

Direct communication is often clear and straightforward, while indirect communication relies more on context and non-verbal cues. For example, in the United States, people tend to be more direct, saying 'no' outright, whereas in Japan, indirectness is favored, with expressions such as 'it's difficult' or 'we will think about it', implying a negative response.

High-context cultures rely heavily on implicit communication and shared norms, whereas low-context cultures prefer explicit, clear messages. For example, much of the Middle East and Asia are high-context, where understanding comes from contextual clues, while countries like Germany and Switzerland are low-context, focusing on precise, clear words.

Non-verbal communication varies greatly between cultures, including gestures, facial expressions, and body language. For example, the 'OK' hand gesture is positive in the USA but offensive in Brazil. Additionally, some Asian cultures consider direct eye contact disrespectful, while in Western cultures, it is a sign of confidence and honesty.

Gift-giving is a communication practice with diverse cultural meanings and protocols. While it's common to give gifts on business occasions in Japan and present them with both hands, in many Western cultures, gifts tend to be personal and less formal. Understanding these nuances is crucial in international relations.

The degree to which emotions are openly expressed differs across cultures. Mediterranean and Latin American cultures are often perceived as more emotionally expressive, with frequent use of animated gestures and vocal variation, while Northern European cultures tend to be more reserved, maintaining emotional composure in public settings.

Power distance refers to the extent to which less powerful members of a society accept and expect that power is distributed unequally. High power-distance cultures, such as Malaysia, might show great respect and deference to authority, while low power-distance cultures, like Denmark, encourage questioning and flattening hierarchical structures.