10 Quotes by Geert Hofstede

Culture is more often a source of conflict than of synergy. Cultural differences are a nuisance at best and often a disaster.

...in the unique case of a country’s geographic position, it is difficult to consider this factor as anything other than a cause, unless we assume that in prehistoric times peoples migrated to climates that fit their concepts of power distance, which is rather far-fetched.

In most collectivist cultures, direct confrontation of another person is considered rude and undesirable. The word no is seldom used, because saying “no” is a confrontation; “you may be right” and “we will think about it” are examples of polite ways of turning down a request. In the same vein, the word yes should not necessarily be inferred as an approval, since it is used to maintain the line of communication: “yes, I heard you” is the meaning it has in Japan.

We are; therefore, we evolve.

...which animal the ruler should impersonate depends strongly on what animals the followers are.

Culture is the collective programming of the mind which distinguishes the members of one group from another.

Studying culture without experiencing culture shock is like practicing swimming without experiencing water.

The way in which a group of people solves problems.

Every person’s mental programming is partly unique, partly shared with others.