Americans calibrate their communication style based on context. The way you communicate with friends differs from professional communication. Written and spoken contexts have different conventions. Some situations call for more formality than others.
Communication competence includes reading contexts accurately and adjusting accordingly. This adaptability coexists with general preferences for directness and informality—those are the baselines from which contextual adjustments are made. Learning the conventions of specific contexts—a profession, a region, an organization—is part of entering those contexts successfully. Watch how others communicate in new settings and calibrate accordingly. The ability to adjust your style while maintaining core communication values marks sophisticated American communicators.
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