World Cultures

Why are we different?

Culture• The norms, beliefs, and

customs learned from society which lead to common patterns of behavior.

Culture Involves • Religion

• Music

• Language

• Philosophy

• Literature

• Art

• Architecture

Culture Involves (continued)

• Drama• Family• Diet/Food• Dress• Occupations• Transportation

Culture Impacts/Influences

• Diet

• Dress

• Name

• Spiritual beliefs

• Values

• Language

• Customs

Culture Impacts/Influences(continued)

• Music• Dance • Status• Work ethic• Education• Beauty• Hygiene

Culture Impacts/Influences(continued)

• Family Relationships

• Medicine

• Superstitions

• Authority

• Social Castes

• Politics

• Body Language

Culture Impacts/Influences(continued)

• Law

• Logic

• Body Language

• Architecture

• Holidays

Protocol For The

Pacific Rim & Mexico

Japan• General Protocol: Remove shoes

before entering a Japanese home.• Greetings: Long low bow, be

prepared to exchange business cards, address your host by their last name and the add the word san.

Japan (continued)

• Punctuality: Punctuality is advisable for both business or social engagements.

• Gift giving: Japanese enjoy receiving gifts, however, gifts should be wrapped in pastel-colored paper, but no bows. Never surprise Japanese with a gift.

Japan (Gifts continued)

• Gifts given in twos are supposed to bring good luck. Cuff links and pen and pencil sets are well received.

• Japanese particularly relish gifts of brandy and steaks.

• If you are offered a gift, thank the person and wait for one or two more offers before accepting it. Receive the gift with both hands.

Japan (Gifts continued)

• Never give four of anything, as one Japanese word for four is also the word for death.

• Hospitality: If you visit a Japanese home, remove your hat and gloves once inside the entrance to the house and then remove your shoes. Flowers are not customary for the hostess, however, a box of candy/chocolates is appropriate.

Japan (Hospitality continued)

• Visitors should be prepared to be invited by their business colleagues to lavish dinner parties, which may last for hours.

• Parties are usually held in Japanese restaurants or night clubs.

• Conversation: Always avoid World War II!

China • General Protocol: Refer to their country as the

“ People’s Republic of China” or simply “China.”

• Tipping is an insult to Chinese.

• Names/Greetings: A slight bow is appropriate when meeting someone. A handshake is also acceptable. The Chinese are quite formal and will use the full title of guests during introductions.

China (continued)

• Appointments/Punctuality: Prior appointments are necessary. Be prepared to wait a long time for Chinese businessmen to reach a decision.

• Foreign businessmen usually find that a trip to China is highly organized and punctuality is very important.

China (continued)

• A visit to a Chinese home is rare - unless the government has given prior approval.

• Guest should plan to arrive a little early and leave shortly after the meal.

• During the meal, be prepared to toast your host expressing thanks, pleasure, and friendship.

China (Hospitality continued)

• It is polite to sample every dish, and when eating rice, it is customary to hold the bowl close to your mouth.

• Business is generally not discussed during meals.

• Gifts of any great value can cause embarrassment and usually not accepted by the Chinese.

China (continued) • Conversation: Good topics for

discussion include differences between China and the West, and the advances the Chinese have made.

• Avoid mentioning Taiwan and do not criticize the Chinese leadership.

Hong Kong • General Protocol:The people of Hong Kong

are reserved and formal in almost all situations.

• Avoid conflicts which would cause the Chinese to lose face.

• Blue and white are Chinese colors for morning and should be avoided.

• Have an abundant supply of business cards available.

Hong Kong (continued) • Names/Greetings: When greeting and leaving,

handshakes are common.

• After the initial handshake, business cards are presented with both hands.

• Appointments/Punctuality: When appointments are made, a thirty - minute “courtesy time” is often allotted. However, business situations are usually punctual.

Hong Kong (continued)

• Hospitality/Gifts: A guest should take a gift of fruit, candy, or cookies when invited to dinner and present it to the hostess with both hands.

• Never begin to eat or drink before your host does.

• Gifts are exchanged during the Chinese New Year.

Hong Kong (Gifts continued)

• Gifts to avoid: Clocks, which symbolize death, and scissors, symbolizing the severing of relationships.

• Conversation: “DOR-jay” is thank someone for a gift, while “Ng-GOI” is to thank someone for a service rendered.

Hong Kong (Conversation continued)

• Chinese are delighted with Westerners who speak their language, a phrase in Cantonese is greatly admired - however, be sure of your punctuation.

• Casual inquiries about health or business are considered polite conversation.

• Avoid conversation concerning the political situation in China.

South Korea

• General Protocol: Avoid talking or laughing loudly in any situation.

• Koreans, especially women cover their mouth when laughing.

• Women’s liberation has not yet been accepted.

• Men go through doors first and women help men with coats.

South Korea (Protocol continued)

• Blowing your nose in front of others is considered bad manners.

• Shoes are always removed before entering a Korean home or restaurant.

South Korea (continued) • Names/Greetings: Men greet each other

by bowing slightly and shaking hands with both hands or with the right hand.

• Women do not shake hands.• Family names come first, then the given

name. • It is difficult to distinguish male from

female names among Koreans.

South Korea (continued)

• Appointments/Punctuality: Prior appointments are necessary and, while punctuality is not of great importance, Westerners are expected to arrive on time.

South Korea (continued)

• Hospitality/Gifts: Business entertainment is considered very important and is usually limited to restaurants and bars.

• Wives are rarely included.

• All courses of a meal are served at once.

• If you are invited to a Korean home, it would be appropriate to take flowers or a small gift, and offer it with both hands.

• Gifts are not to be opened in front of the giver.

South Korea (continued)

• Conversation: Avoid discussions of socialism, communism, internal politics, and criticism of the government.

Taiwan

• General Protocol: Patience is important. By American standards, Taiwanese businessmen can take a long time to reach a decision.

• Shoes are not worn in some homes, “slippers” are substituted, observe your host.

Taiwan (continued)

• Names/Greetings: A handshake is customary when meeting acquaintances and close friends. A nod is appropriate when meeting someone for the first time. A slight bow shows respect, but it should not be overdone.

Taiwan (continued)

• Appointments/Punctuality: If you arrive at your appointment shortly before or after the scheduled time, it is perfectly acceptable.

• Hospitality/Gifts: Entertainment is usually offered in restaurants and not in the home.

• Taiwanese meals are elaborate and exhausting.

Taiwan (Hospitality/Gifts continued)

• Be prepared to eat sparingly during the early stages of what could be a twenty course meal.

• Toasts are common; kampai means “bottoms up.”

• Chopsticks and a ceramic spoon are common eating utensils.

Taiwan (Hospitality/Gifts continued)

• A small gift such as candy, fruit, or cookies is appropriate when visiting a family at home.

• Both hands should be used when handing a gift or other object to another person.

• Thank - you notes are a must and are appreciated.

Taiwan (continued)

• Conversation: Avoid discussing mainland China and local politics.

Mexico

• General Protocol: Mexico City’s high altitude, smog, and traffic should be anticipated.

• Care must be taken in drinking the water.

• Mexico has a friendly, gracious, and easygoing business atmosphere.

Mexico (continued)

• Names/Greetings: Handshakes are customary. However, long time friends may engage in a full embrace - the abrazo.

• Women often greet each other with a kiss on the cheek.

Mexico (continued)

• Appointments/Punctuality: The two or three-hour siesta is a bad time for business appointments.

• Hospitality/Gifts: Gifts are not customary, but appreciated.

• Gifts may be wrapped and presented as you would in the U.S.

Mexico (Hospitality/Gifts continued)

• If you send flowers, remember that for some Mexicans yellow flowers symbolic of death, red flowers cast spells, and white flowers lift spells.

• Thank - you notes are appreciated.

Mexico (continued)

• Conversation: Mexican’s appreciate a visitor’s efforts to speak Spanish.

• Avoid historical and political topics such as the Mexican War and illegal aliens.

• Safe topics include the weather, fashion, travel, art, and museums and parks.