Cultural differences in decibels

Have you ever wondered why people seem to talk louder in some countries, while others are quiet? Loudness of conversation is not only a matter of individual predisposition, but also part of national culture. In this article, we'll take a look at which nations are famous for their loud conversations and which maintain more restraint, backed by research and statistics.

Loud as Southerners

The Spaniards and Italians are often ranked at the top of the list of loud nations. Their culture is very expressive, and conversations are full of gesticulation, emotion and.... noise. In southern Europe, loud conversations in restaurants, on the streets or even at home are the norm. Spaniards and Italians are considered the most talkative and expressive Europeans. According to studies, the volume level in ordinary conversations involving them often exceeds 60-70 decibels, which is comparable to normal conversation in a noisy office or crowded bar.

Statistics: who speaks the loudest?

While it is difficult to find clear-cut studies that accurately measure call volume in different countries, various experiments and surveys allow some conclusions to be drawn. In one study conducted in the UK on the perception of call volume in different cultures, respondents indicated that:

• Spaniards and Italians are seen as the loudest, with typical conversation levels between 65-70 dB.
• Americans are also one of the noisy nations, especially in the context of group meetings and social conversations. Their conversations typically reach around 60-65 dB.
• Poles - between the north and the south, Poles rank in the middle in this comparison. While they are not as loud as southern Europeans, they are certainly not among the quietest either. Depending on the region of Poland, the intensity of conversation can vary, but in most cases Poles talk at 55-60 dB. In cities, especially in places such as cafes and restaurants, the noise level associated with conversations can increase, but they generally exercise more restraint than Italians or Spaniards.
• Scandinavia - silence and restraint. At the other extreme are Scandinavian countries such as Sweden, Norway and Finland. These cultures are dominated by restraint and quiet, word-sparing conversations. Scandinavians typically talk at 50-55 dB, which is equivalent to talking in a quiet office. Their communication style is more formal and oriented toward brevity. Noisy, public conversations are rare, and loudness is often considered a sign of a lack of culture.
• Asia - volume diversity. In Asia, differences in conversation volume are also significant. In Japan, for example, quiet conversations are valued, especially in public places, where the volume level for person-to-person communication is often around 50 dB. The same is true in South Korea, where silence in public places and restraint are an important part of the culture. In contrast, Chinese or Indian people are more expressive, especially in larger groups, which means that conversations can be a bit louder - at 55-65 dB, although the intensity depends on the region and situation.

Why do some people talk louder and others quieter? The loudness of conversation is largely due to cultural patterns and traditions.

In southern European countries such as Spain and Italy, talking is a form of expression of emotion and social connection. Speaking loudly is not seen as something negative, but rather as an expression of commitment and enthusiasm. In northern European or Asian countries, on the other hand, silence and restraint are often a sign of respect for others and public peace. Less intense conversation indicates a need for harmony and privacy, while loud behavior may be considered inappropriate.

How do we perceive others?

It is interesting to see how different nations perceive each other in terms of the volume of conversation. Often Spaniards and Italians are considered by other nations to be very loud, which sometimes raises misunderstandings in cross-cultural interactions.

Scandinavians or Japanese, on the other hand, may be perceived as too reserved or even cold in their communication, due to their preference for a quieter form of dialogue. No matter how loudly we talk, it is important to understand and respect these differences - because, after all, in diversity lies the beauty of international contacts.

Data on the volume of conversations in different nations given in dB can be helpful in understanding general cultural trends, but it should be remembered that decibel levels can vary widely depending on many factors, such as the environment, the number of people involved in the conversation and the type of interaction. It is also worth noting that sociological and cultural studies are complex and their results can be interpreted in different ways, so the data given should be treated as indicative.