While American culture defaults toward openness, it recognizes domains where privacy is legitimate. These are bounded exceptions, not alternative defaults. Personal matters involving individual autonomy, competitive information with strategic value, security matters where disclosure causes harm, and sensitive information where privacy protects individuals—these may warrant legitimate restriction.
The key distinction is between privacy (legitimate boundary-setting) and secrecy (illegitimate concealment). Privacy is respected; secrecy is stigmatized.
When you need to restrict information with Americans, be prepared to explain why the restriction is legitimate—to demonstrate that it falls on the privacy side rather than the secrecy side. Unexplained concealment will be interpreted negatively. Legitimate privacy claims are understood and respected, but they require justification.
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