Bridging the Cultural Divide: Americans, Italians, and Rules

Main Idea:  The American culture values rule-following.  Understanding the differences between the Italian and American cultural approaches to following rules and procedures can help you become more effective in a cross-cultural work environment, and help your organization to thrive.

It’s 2 am on a Wednesday.  It’s late and you are tired.  You come to a traffic light in a sparsely populated area.  No cars are on the road. It’s been red for at least 4 minutes. Unreasonably long you think, considering there is absolutely no traffic. Do you continue waiting for the green light?  And if so, for how long?

Your answer can be influenced by several factors:  your personality, your mood, and the culture in which you were raised.  Some cultures stress following the rules to such a degree that it might defy logic, while other cultures promote a more flexible attitude, one that values approaching each situation individually, as needed.

The American culture, according to organizational theorist Fons Tromepnaars is rule-based.  He calls cultures like these “Universalistic,” where people emphasize the importance of following the rules.  In fact, most universalists value rulles so much that they will more likely choose rules over relationships. For example, they may follow a rule even if it might put their friend at a disadvantage because the belief is that all rules are to be followed.

For example, they may follow a rule even if it might put their friend at a disadvantage because the belief is that all rules are to be followed.

Italians also follow rules, but they are not as high on the spectrum of complete adherence to them, and they’ve seen that it can work out just fine.  In Matthew Crawford's book, "Why We Drive," Crawford writes about the average American’s impression of Italian traffic after visiting Rome.  Americans report that it feels dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians—something they don’t typically witness in the States.  

But it works for Italians.  Crawford shares safety records from the World Health Organization from 2016 stating that road fatalities in Italy were 6.3 per 100,000, yet in the United States they were 14.2 per 100,000 (he does acknowledge that some variables could complicate these findings).  But the idea, he maintains, is that the Italian manner of driving is not grossly more dangerous than the highly rule-bound practices of the United States. Crawford suggests that Americans' dependence on rules can be to their detriment, keeping them from being able to properly adapt and grow in different situations.

Why Do Americans Value Rules So Much?

Most low-context cultures (meaning information is communicated directly and explicitly, not leaving much to interpret between the lines) like the USA are rule-based cultures.  Having objective, external rules applied equally to everyone keeps the society working.

You might have seen this also if you are raising children in the USA.  You may perceive a strong emphasis on rule-following in your child’s school that you didn’t experience in Italy.  Being able to follow rules and procedures is highly valued in schools, and I have spoken with Italians who feel that it is taken to an extreme.  It is in their families and public institutions such as schools where Americans are indoctrinated into a world of rule-following and procedures.

Italians, the Particularists

Italians also follow the rules, but do not feel that all circumstances require such strict adherence.  Trompenaars believes Italians are closer to  “Particularism” than Americans are.  In Particularism, people believe that rules may have value, but relationships are significant, too.  Their responses can change, depending on the situation, and who is involved. (europpconsulting). They feel everyone is unique and can be treated differently. In short, Italians can view rules as guidelines when necessary, not as universal truths.

In short, Italians can view rules as guidelines when necessary, not as universal truths.

How This Can Show Up in the Workplace

When employees of different cultures come to work together for the first time, there are bound to be misunderstandings. If these misunderstandings were due solely to language, our world could easily solved by Google Translate. But being that humans are complicated individuals who are formed by different cultures, we need to work a little harder to develop some cultural competence to work together productively with empathy and respect.

Not understanding the differences can create bad feelings on both sides. As an Italian professional working in the United States, the Americans’ strict adherence to rules and regulations may feel puzzling.  You might see an opportunity for something to be improved, but your American colleagues may show discomfort if asked to deviate from a proven procedure (depending on the company).

You may feel that your American colleagues stick too closely to just their job descriptions, making you wonder how much of a “team player” they really are.

You may feel that your American colleagues stick too closely to just their job descriptions, making you wonder how much of a “team player”  they really are. Italians also might view Americans as relying too much on formal contracts that spell out every little detail that always need to be reviewed by lawyers.  They may see Americans more likely to sue since the breaking of rules can be so offensive to the Universalist. 

Similarly, Americans may view a more relaxed approach to following strict guidelines as “chaotic” or “disorganized.”  They could also view not sticking to a schedule or agenda as disrespectful to them and their time.

We all know that no culture is superior to another, they are just different.  But if you find yourself living in a rule-based culture like the USA, you would do well to recognize that management and behavior is based on the culture’s respect for rules so that you can adjust your expectations, and find ways to best function in the system.  Similarly, Americans working for Italian companies here in the USA must understand the more Particularistic leanings of Italians to work in harmony with their Italian colleagues. 

Strategies for Bridging the Gap

So if you are an Italian professional managing Americans, it would be helpful if you do the following:

• Provide clear instructions, processes, and procedures.
• Keep promises, maintain consistency, and explain decisions objectively.
• Promote your ideas with objectivity, and supported by data
• Make conversations succinct, direct, and solution-oriented
• Start and finish meetings on time

And if you are American, it is important to remember:

• Italians are comfortable making ad hoc solutions when needed
• Sometimes rules aren’t adequate enough to solve every solution
• Italians place more importance on personal relationships and trust than Americans do
• You can balance flexibility with accountability

The Importance of Intercultural Competence

By understanding the aspects of the two cultures, such as the importance placed on guidelines and rules, organizations can navigate cultural differences more effectively.  Building bridges requires open communication, flexibility, and a willingness to understand and respect diverse perspectives.

If you’d like to learn more about how to communicate in ways that will allow you to relate better to your American colleagues, I can help.  By taking my communication course designed for Italian professionals working in the USA, you can learn to navigate communicating with Americans so you can be more successful in your career.

To learn more, contact me at dcortigiani@effectiveenglish.us, send a DM on LinkedIn, or go to my website: www.effectiveenglish.us and hit the “Live Classes” tab.