Travelers’ Guide: from US, Japan, France, Emirates Arab to South Africa

8/6/2019 Travelers Guide: from US, Japan, France, Emirates Arab to South Africa

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Culture, Etiquettes and CustomsCulture, Etiquettes and Customs

Around CountriesAround Countries


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Different fields, different grasshoppers; different seas, different fish


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Islam

Islam is practised by all Saudis and governs their personal, political,economic and legal lives.

Majority of Arab's society are Muslims. There are only about 5% of Arabsare non-Muslims.

Family Values The family and tribe are the basis of the social structure.

As is seen in their naming conventions, Saudis are cognizant of theirheritage, their clan, and their extended family, as well as their nuclearfamily.

Saudis take their responsibilities to their family quite seriously.

Families tend to be large and the extended family is quite close. The individual derives a social network and assistance in times of need

from the family.

Nepotism is considered a good thing, since it implies that employingpeople one knows and trusts is of primary importance.

Key Concept of Saudi Arabian CultureKey Concept of Saudi Arabian Culture


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Key Concept of Japan CultureKey Concept of Japan Culture

The most valued principle still alive in Japanese

society today is the concept of 'wa', or

'harmony'.

In business terms, 'wa' is reflected in theavoidance of self-assertion and individualism

and the preservation of good relationships

despite differences in opinion.

WaWa

Kao

(Face)

O oiyari

(Loyalty)

Kaizen


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Face is a mark of personal pride and forms the

basis of an individual's reputation and social

status.

Preservation of face comes through avoidingconfrontations and direct criticism wherever

possible. In Japan, causing someone to lose face

can be disastrous for business relationships.

Wa

(Har ony)

KaoKao

O oiyari

(Loyalty)

Kaizen


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Closely linked to the concepts of 'wa' and 'kao',

'omoiyari' relates to the sense of empathy and

loyalty encouraged in Japanese society and

practiced in Japanese business culture.In literal terms it means "to imagine another's

feelings", therefore building a strong

relationship based on trust and mutual feeling is

vital for business success in Japan.

Wa

(Har ony)

Kao

(Face)

OmoiyariOmoiyari

Kaizen


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Kaizen means "improvement", or "change for

the better.

It is a Japanese workplace philosophy which

focuses on making continuous smallimprovements which keep a business at the

top of its field.

Wa

(Har ony)

Kao

(Face)

O oiyari

(Loyalty)

Kaizen


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Business CardBusiness Card

Exchange of GiftsExchange of Gifts

Sense of TimeSense of TimeCommunicationCommunication


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Key Concept of American CultureKey Concept of American Culture

Diversity EgalitarianismLow-

ContextCulture

Individualism

A erica is ulti ately a nation of i igrants and as a

result is a cultural ix in every sense of the word.


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Des ite of ma ifferences it in American societ , t ere is a

collective understanding of t e notion of equalit t at underlines

many social relations i s in t e US.

Americans elieve in having equal rights, equal social obligations,and equal opportunities based on the concept of individual merit,

instead of status, age or ealth.

Diversity Egalitarianism

Low-

ContextCulture

Individualism


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Americans are direct and tas centred, thus the primary

purpose of communication is to exchange information, facts,

and opinions.

In the US, conflict is dealt ith directly and openly, and forthis reason, Americans ill not hesitate to say no or

criticise others in public.


Low-

ContextCulture

Individualism


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American culture emphasises individual initiative and personal

achievement.

Independence and self-reliance are highly valued and also extends

to the wor place where business is frequently carried outautonomously.


Low-

ContextCulture

Individualism


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Address your A erican businesscolleagues with a title, such asDr, Ms, or Mr, and theirlast name when meetingsomeone for the first time.

Speak clearly and in a straight-forward manner.

Say please and thank you toeveryone for even the smallestkindness.

Be punctual!Make a preliminary small talkwith your Americanscounterparts at the beginning ofa business meeting.

Eti uettes and Customs in USEti uettes and Customs in US

DONT make any physical

contact more than a firm and

brief handshake when greeting

your American counterpart forthe first time.

DONT be afraid to be moredirect and honest than you are

used to.

DONT be offended or

surprised if your Americancolleagues cannot accept a

gift.


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France has a population of approximately 58million people.

France does not have an official religion.

France is home to approximately 4.5 million

foreigners.

Education is of great importance to the French.


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Key onceptof Fr nce ltureKey onceptof Fr nce ulture

In the world of French business, centralisation exists in theconcentrated authority that generally lies with one individual.

Centralisation

Frances distinguished individuality is an importantculturalcharacteristic that describes the French passion for uniquenessand freedom of opinion, both in society and in business.

However, individuality should not be confused with the termindividualism, which is equally essential in France, but refers to

having a separate but equal sense of place in society.

Individualismand Individuality

The French have a low tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity

Uncertainty Avoidance


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Learn a few basic rench phrases

your effort will not go unnoticed

Maintain air of formality

French is all about formality

Maintain eye contact

as long as it isnt too obtrusive

Knowledge speak

little knowledge is dangerous in

French

L

uncheslunch is one of the best places to forgebusiness relationship

Consider time

be prepare to a long wait before you got

the answer

Gesture

Chew gum in public, hand in

pocket, snap finger, etc

Business gift

Give a business gift on a firstmeeting

Hierarchy rules

using first name, disrespect

privacy, etc

Punctuality alert

DOs DONTs

Eti uettes and Customs in ranceEti uettes and Customs in rance


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FamilyFamily

TimeTime

ommunicationommunicationtyletyle

Key onceptof outh African ultureKey onceptof outh African ulture

The whole family is the important thing for the individuals

existence to influence their values and behaviour.


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FamilyFamily

TimeTime



The concept of time and the approach taken towards it differs

between the white and black cultures living in South Africa.


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FamilyFamily

TimeTime



English-speaking South Africans

Forthright and honest


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DO

S DONT

SDO include deadline dates in contracts, as

the South African approach to deadlines is

particularly casual and firm commitments

are not often made

DONT raise your voice or interrupt whilst

your South African counterparts are

speaking. Both actions lack the personal

approach to a business relationship and

therefore may be interpreted as an insult.

DO maintain eye-contact at all times,especially when shaking hands with your

South African business colleagues. This is

an essential part of developing trust

DONT be surprised if your South Africanbusiness colleagues ask what may seem to

be personal questions about your way of

life after a relatively brief period of time.

Characteristically, South Aficans tend to

be warmand friendly people

DO dress conservatively, particularly for

initial meetings with new business

associates

DONT show impatience towards decision

making. Forcing deadlines or rushing deals

may prove counterproductive since the

pace of business in South Africa is

reasonably slow and protracted.

Eti uettes and Customs in South AfricaEti uettes and Customs in South Africa


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Documents

Travelers’ Guide: from US, Japan, France, Emirates Arab to South Africa