GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHERS: The US, Australia, England Week 8

GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHERS:The US, Australia, England Week 8 Matakuliah : V0052 Tahun : 2008

Learning Outcomes On completion of this unit, the students should be able to explain the cultural characteristics of English speaking countries; The US, Australia and UK. Mahasiswa dapat menjelaskan karakteristik budaya dari negara-negara berbahasa Inggris; Amerika Serikat, Australia dan Inggris. HO 0708

Subjects English Speaking Countries: • The US • Australia • UK HO 0708

Week 8The US: Facts and Statistics • Location: North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico • Capital: Washington, DC • Climate: mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida, arctic in Alaska • Population: 301,139,947 (July 2007 est.)Ethnic Make-up: white 81.7%, black 12.9%, Asian 4.2%, Amerindian and Alaska native 1%, native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.2% (2003 est.) Religions: Protestant 52%, Roman Catholic 24%, Mormon 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 1%, other 10%, none 10% (2002 est.)Government: Constitution-based federal republic • Language: English (American English) HO 0708

Week 8American Society and Culture • Diversity America is ultimately a nation of immigrants. Not only is the country populated by people from foreign countries but all Americans in one way or another trace their ancestry back to another culture, whether Irish, German, Italian or Scottish. Looking around any major city one will notice the ‘melting-pot’ that it is. HO 0708

Week 8American Society and Culture • Informal and Friendly Most people who come to the United States may already know a few things about the people through TV. Although this is of course a skewed reality some of the stereotypes are true, especially American friendliness and informality. People tend to not wait to be introduced, will begin to speak with strangers as they stand in a queue, sit next to each other at an event, etc. Visitors can often be surprised when people are so informal to the point of being very direct or even rude. HO 0708

Week 8American Society and Culture • Time is Money Time is a very important commodity. People 'save' time and 'spend' time as if it were money in the bank. Americans ascribe personality characteristics and values based on how people use time. For example, people who are on-time are considered to be good people, reliable people who others can count on. HO 0708

Week 8American Society and Culture • The Family • The family unit is generally considered the nuclear family, and is typically small (with exceptions among certain ethnic groups). Extended family relatives live in their own homes, often at great distances from their children. • Individualism is prized, and this is reflected in the family unit. People are proud of their individual accomplishments, initiative and success, and may, or may not, share those sources of pride with their elders. HO 0708

Week 8Meeting and Greeting • Greetings are casual. • A handshake, a smile, and a 'hello' are all that is needed. • Handshakes are firm, brief and confident • Smile! • Use first names, and be sure to introduce everyone to each other • Maintain eye contact during the greeting HO 0708

Week 8Meeting and Greeting • Most people will insist that you call them by their nickname, if they have one. • In formal circumstances, you may want to use titles and surnames as a courtesy until you are invited to move to a first name basis, which will happen quickly. • Business cards are exchanged without formal ritual. • It is quite common for the recipient to put your card in their wallet, which may then go in the back pocket of their trousers. This is not an insult. HO 0708

Week 8Gift Giving Etiquette • In general, Americans give gifts for birthdays, anniversaries and major holidays, such as Christmas. • A gift can be as simple as a card and personal note to something more elaborate for a person with whom you are close. • Gift giving is not an elaborate event, except at Christmas. • When invited to someone's home for dinner, it is polite to bring a small box of good chocolates, a bottle of wine, a potted plant or flowers for the hostess. • Gifts are normally opened when received. HO 0708

Week 8Communication Style • Americans are direct. They value logic and linear thinking and expect people to speak clearly and in a straightforward manner. • To them if you don’t “tell it how it is” you simply waste time, and time is money. • Try to get to your point more quickly and don’t be afraid to be more direct and honest than you are used to. • Americans will use the telephone to conduct business that would require a face-to-face meeting in most other countries. They do not insist upon seeing or getting to know the people with whom they do business. HO 0708

Week 8Business Meetings • Arrive on time for meetings since time and punctuality are so important to Americans. In the Northeast and Midwest, people are extremely punctual and view it as a sign of disrespect for someone to be late for a meeting or appointment. In the Southern and Western states, people may be a little more relaxed, but to be safe, always arrive on time, although you may have to wait a little before your meeting begins. • Meetings may appear relaxed, but they are taken quite seriously. If there is an agenda, it will be followed. • At the conclusion of the meeting, there will be a summary of what was decided, a list of who will implement which facets and a list of the next steps to be taken and by whom. HO 0708

Week 8Business Meetings • If you make a presentation, it should be direct and to the point. Visual aids should further enhance your case. Use statistics to back up your claims, since Americans are impressed by hard data and evidence. • Business is conducted rapidly. Expect very little small talk before getting down to business. It is common to attempt to reach an oral agreement at the first meeting. • The emphasis is on getting a contract signed rather than building a relationship. The relationship may develop once the first contract has been signed Source: www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/usa.html HO 0708

Week 8AMERICANS vs AUSTRALIAN ENGLISH HO 0708

Week 8AMERICANS DINING PREFERENCES • Americans are used to a waiter bringing ice water as soon as they sit down in a restaurant • Americans may like salad before their main course • Traditional American breakfast is ham and eggs, with sweet pastries • The very important American tradition of Thanksgiving Day is held on the 4th Thursday of November each year – roast turkey and pumpkin pie are among the symbols of this festival HO 0708

Week 8AMERICANS DINING PREFERENCES • The American custom is to eat with the fork in the right hand, the knife is used only when necessary for cutting or spreading • When one orders a whisky in the USA, a bourbon will usually be served, so it may be necessary to clarify what Americans want if they order a whisky • Cocktails are popular amongst Americans • Americans may enjoy a mixed drink before dinner HO 0708

Week 8AMERICANS SERVICE PREFERENCES • Americans tend to know exactly what they want, and American visitors can give very detailed orders and tend to ask a lot of questions • In general, Americans expect immediate, perfect and very attentive service – stress on high standards • Tipping is an accepted part of everyday life HO 0708

Week 8AMERICANS • The basic tipping rates are approx. as follows: • Waiter = 15% (20% for a group) • Bartender, hairdresser/barber, taxi driver = 15% • Doorman, airport/hotel porter = $ 0.50 per bag ($1 min.) HO 0708

Week 8 AUSTRALIA HO 0708

Week 8Australia: Facts and Statistics • Location: Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean • Capital: Canberra • Climate: generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north • Population: 19,913,144 (July 2004 est.) • Ethnic Make-up: Caucasian 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1% • Religions: ;Anglican 26.1%, Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 24.3%, non-Christian 11%, other 12.6% • Government: democratic, federal-state system recognizing the British monarch as sovereign HO 0708

Week 8Australia: A Multi-Cultural Society • The initial population of Australia was made up of Aborigines and people of British and Irish descent. After World War II there was heavy migration from Europe, especially from Greece, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Yugoslavia, Lebanon, and Turkey. • In the last thirty years, Australia has liberalized its immigration policy and opened its borders to South East Asia. HO 0708

Week 8Australian Cultures • The Key: Accept “mateship” • Show you are willing to be one of the mates • Always lead from the front and never ask anyone to do anything you would not do yourself • Roll up your sleeves and help people to move tables • Sarcasm, irony, jokes and anecdotes are popular • Don’t oversell yourself and undersell your Australian host • They are free spenders • Like cheerfulness and affability • Often mix business with social activities • Do them favours, they are quick to repay • Human rights are high on their priorities list HO 0708

Week 8Australian Cultures What to Avoid? • Using flowery speech • Any form of arrogance • Intruding into their leisure time • Boasting about your past achievements • Referring to their convict past HO 0708

Week 8Australian Cultures Communication Styles: • They love criticizing themselves but take it poorly to being criticized • Everyone is treated equally • Australian speak in a uniform languages and there are hardly any regional variations • Jokes, sarcasm, irony and anecdotes are popular • Good sense of humor • They are used to informality HO 0708

Week 8Meeting Etiquette • Australians are not very formal so greetings are casual and relaxed. • A handshake and smile suffices. • Australian may say, 'G'day' or 'G'day, mate‘ (this may sound patronizing from a foreigner). • Visitors should simply say, 'Hello' or 'Hello, how are you?‘ • Aussies prefer to use first names, even at the initial meeting HO 0708

Week 8Business Meeting Etiquette • Appointments are necessary and relatively easy to schedule. • Punctuality is important in business situations. It is better to arrive a few minutes early than to keep someone waiting. • Meetings are generally relaxed; however, they are serious events. • If you make a presentation, avoid hype, making exaggerated claims, or bells and whistles. • Present your business case with facts and figures. Emotions and feelings are not important in the Australian business climate. • Business cards are exchanged at the initial introduction without formal ritual. • If you are not given a business card, it is not an insult; the person simply may not have one. HO 0708

Week 8Gift Giving Etiquette • Small gifts are commonly exchanged with family members, close friends, and neighbours on birthdays and Christmas. • If invited to someone's home for dinner, it is polite to bring a box of chocolates or flowers to the hostess. A good quality bottle of wine is always appreciated. • Gifts are opened when received. HO 0708

Week 8Dining Etiquette • Many invitations to an Aussies home will be for a 'barbie' (BBQ). • Guests to a barbeque typically bring wine or beer for their personal consumption. In some cases, very informal barbecues may suggest that you bring your own meat! • Arrive on time if invited to dinner; no more than 15 minutes late if invited to a barbeque or a large party. • Contact the hostess ahead of time to see if she would like you to bring a dish. • Offer to help the hostess with the preparation or clearing up after a meal is served. HO 0708

Week 8Dining Etiquette • Table manners are Continental -- hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating. • Indicate you have finished eating by laying your knife and fork parallel on your plate with the handles facing to the right. • Keep your elbows off the table and your hands above the table when eating. HO 0708

Week 8Negotiating and Decision Making • Australians get down to business quickly with a minimum amount of small talk. • They are quite direct and expect the same in return. They appreciate brevity and are not impressed by too much detail. • Negotiations proceed quickly. Bargaining is not customary. They will expect your initial proposal to have only a small margin for negotiation. • They do not like high-pressure techniques. • Decision-making is concentrated at the top of the company, although decisions are made after consultation with subordinates, which can make decision making slow and protracted. Source: www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/Australia.html HO 0708

Week 8 UNITED KINGDOM HO 0708

Week 8UK: Facts and Statistics • Location: Western EuropeCapital: London Climate: temperate; more than one-half of the days are overcastPopulation: 60,776,238 (July 2007 est.)Ethnic Make-up: white (of which English 83.6%, Scottish 8.6%, Welsh 4.9%, Northern Irish 2.9%) 92.1%, black 2%, Indian 1.8%, Pakistani 1.3%, mixed 1.2%, other 1.6% (2001 census)Religions: Christian (Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 71.6%, Muslim 2.7%, Hindu 1%, other 1.6%, unspecified or none 23.1% (2001 census)Government: constitutional monarchy HO 0708

Week 8UK: The People • The United Kingdom is comprised of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Each country has a strong sense of identity and nationalism felt by the populations of these nations. • The terms 'English' and 'British' do not mean the same thing • British denotes someone who is from England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland • English refers to people from England • People from Scotland are 'Scots', from Wales ‘Welsh’ and from Northern Ireland ‘Irish’ • Be sure not to call someone Welsh, Scots, or Northern Irish ‘English’. HO 0708

Week 8UK: A Multicultural Society • Formerly a very homogenous society, since World War II, Britain has become increasingly diverse as it has accommodated large immigrant populations, particularly from its former colonies such as India, Pakistan and the West Indies. HO 0708

Week 8UK: Meeting and Greeting • The handshake is the common form of greeting. • The British might seem a little stiff and formal at first. • Avoid prolonged eye contact as it makes people feel uncomfortable. • There is still some protocol to follow when introducing people in a business or more formal social situation. • Introduce a younger person to an older person. • Introduce a person of lower status to a person of higher status. • When two people are of similar age and rank, introduce the one you know better to the other person. HO 0708

Week 8UK: Meeting and Greeting • Most people use the courtesy titles or Mr, Mrs or Miss and their surname. • Wait until invited before moving to a first-name basis. People under the age of 35 may make this move more rapidly than older British. • Business cards are exchanged at the initial introduction without formal ritual. • The business card may be put away with only a cursory glance so don’t be offended if not much attention is paid to it. HO 0708

Week 8UK: Gift Giving Etiquette • The British exchange gifts between family members and close friends for birthdays and Christmas. • The gift need not be expensive, but it should usually demonstrate an attempt to find something that related to the recipient’s interests. • If invited to someone's home, it is normal to take along a box of good chocolates, a good bottle of wine or flowers. • Gifts are opened when received. HO 0708

Week 8UK: Dining Etiquette • Unlike many European cultures, the British enjoy entertaining in people their homes. • Although the British value punctuality, you may arrive 10-15 minutes later than invited to dinner. However, if going to a restaurant be on time. • Table manners are Continental, i.e. the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating. • The fork is held tines down so food is scooped on to the back of the fork. This is a skill that takes time to master. • Remain standing until invited to sit down. You may be shown to a particular seat. • Do not rest your elbows on the table. HO 0708

Week 8UK: Dining Etiquette • If you have not finished eating, cross your knife and fork on your plate with the fork over the knife. • Indicate you have finished eating by laying your knife and fork parallel across the right side of your plate. • Toasts are given at formal meals. • When in a pub, it is common practice to pay for a round of drinks for everyone in your group. • If invited to a meal at a restaurant, the person extending the invitation usually pays. Do not argue about the check; simply reciprocate at a later time. HO 0708

Week 8UK: The British Communication Style • When communicating with people they see as equal to themselves in rank or class, the British are direct, but modest. • When communicating with someone they know well, their style may be more informal, although they will still be reserved. • Written communication follows strict rules of protocol. How a letter is closed varies depending upon how well the writer knows the recipient. Written communication is always addressed using the person's title and their surname. First names are not generally used in written communication, unless you know the person well. HO 0708

Week 8UK: The British Communication Style • E-mail is now much more widespread, however the communication style remains more formal, at least initially, than in many other countries. • Most British will not use slang or abbreviations and will think negatively if your communication appears overly familiar. HO 0708

Week 8UK: Business Meetings • If you plan to use an agenda, be sure to forward it to your British colleagues in sufficient time for them to review it and recommend any changes. • Punctuality is important in business situations. In most cases, the people you are meeting will be on time. Scots are extremely punctual. Call if you will be even 5 minutes later than agreed. • If you are kept waiting a few minutes, do not make an issue of it. Likewise, if you know that you will be late it is a good idea to telephone and offer your apologies. HO 0708

Week 8UK: Business Meetings • In general, meetings will be rather formal • Meetings always have a clearly defined purpose, which may include an agenda. • If there is a senior ranking person in the room, that person will do most of the speaking • There will be a brief amount of small talk before getting down to the business at hand. • If you make a presentation, avoid making exaggerated claims. HO 0708

Week 8UK: Business Meetings • Make certain your presentation and any materials provided appear professional and well thought out. • Be prepared to back up your claims with facts and figures. The British rely on facts, rather than emotions, to make decisions. • Maintain eye contact and a few feet of personal space. • After a meeting, send a letter summarizing what was decided and the next steps to be taken. Source: www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/UK.html HO 0708

QUESTIONS? HO 0708

Week 8 Review Questions • The Americans population is made up of many ethnic groups. It is called …………….. • How many states are there in the USA? • The USA is a society that places a much greater emphasis on the …….. than on the group • Americans tend to be more exacting about standards of performance (T or F)? • Many Americans expect to be served iced water as soon as they sit down in a restaurant (T or F)? • In Australia and UK, gifts are saved when received and opened later (T or F)? • The “mateship” is important in Australia (T or F)? HO 0708

Week 8 Group Discussion Group A : Compare the dining etiquette between Americans, Australians and British Group B: Compare the meeting/ business meeting etiquette between Americans, Australians and British HO 0708

GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHERS: The US, Australia, England Week 8