World Cultures

2. World Cultures Why are we different?

3. Culture • The norms, beliefs, and customs learned from society which lead to common patterns of behavior.

4. Culture Involves • Religion • Music • Language • Philosophy • Literature • Art • Architecture

5. Culture Involves (continued) • Drama • Family • Diet/Food • Dress • Occupations • Transportation

6. Culture Impacts/Influences • Diet • Dress • Name • Spiritual beliefs • Values • Language • Customs

7. Culture Impacts/Influences(continued) • Music • Dance • Status • Work ethic • Education • Beauty • Hygiene

8. Culture Impacts/Influences(continued) • Family Relationships • Medicine • Superstitions • Authority • Social Castes • Politics • Body Language

9. Culture Impacts/Influences(continued) • Law • Logic • Body Language • Architecture • Holidays

10. Protocol For The Pacific Rim & Mexico

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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!

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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.

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

30. 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.

31. South Korea(continued) • Conversation: Avoid discussions of socialism, communism, internal politics, and criticism of the government.

32. 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.

33. 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.

34. 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.

35. 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.

36. 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.

37. Taiwan (continued) • Conversation: Avoid discussing mainland China and local politics.

38. 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.

39. 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.

40. 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.

41. 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.

42. 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.