Culture Determinants:
Influences of various areas
Religious values and norms
Behavior manners
International interactions
Location
Manifestations of These
Determinants :
Language
Time orientation
Formality in relationships
Hospitality
Materialism
Colour
THE FRENCH :
People – oriented
Smile a lot
Making eye contact means equality
Use the whole body to communicate
Handshake is firm
Leisure – loving people
Academic arguments
Intellectual conflicts
Tact & diplomacy are considered better than frankness
THE GERMANS :
Detail – oriented
Precise (express accurately)
Direct people
Well ordered & planned
Believe in hard facts
Admire those who are well organised
Hard working & highly disciplined
Orderliness
Creative & Formal people
Often give the impression of being cold & reserved
Extremely polite and well mannered
THE JAPANESE :
Not very easy to understand
Expressionless visages
Conflict is best resolved through harmony & negotiation
High technology and superior quality
Communication is indirect, vague (uncertain) & leaves a wide margin for
personal interpretation by the receiver
Japanese prefer third party introductions and involvement
Punctuality
Sober, conservative style, & look neat & orderly
Small, classy gifts
Colours, Black signifies joy and Red is considered lucky
THE CHINESE :
Chinese prefer to deal through intermediaries
Going against the national interest
Focus on efficiency and effectiveness
Significant use of nonverbal communication
(indirect statements and symbols)
They always quote or introduce a famous quote or proverb
THE MIDDLE EASTERNER :
Generosity, Hospitality, Courage & Patience
Compatibility with modernity
Business and trade are valued careers
Business meetings are rarely private
Is considered rude to show impatience at such interruptions
Gifts are freely given
Strong sense of fair play (just treatment) and pride (self respect)
Honour and social prestige must always be maintained
Equally, public confrontation & conflict must be avoided
Being frank or blunt is considered disrespectful
Before Any Business Trip Abroad :
Know & understand important historical facts
Acquaint yourself with the basic geographical, social,
political and economic facts about the country concerned
Find out who the major heroes are, past & present, in
various fields
What is the major religion followed, & are there any
important taboos (BAN) you should know about?
Who are the major decision – makers?
Before Any Business Trip Abroad :
What are the important social customs and cultural
expectations?
What is their concept of time?
Is any significance attached to particular colours ?
What gifts would be appropriate and which inappropriate?
What is the correct greeting protocol?
What are some of the key phrases in the country’s
language that must be mastered for smoother
communication?
