Cultural differences in business

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Cultural differences in business
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How to say hello!!!

• You should try to adopt the way to say hello
  which is normal in the country you are in, or the
  country your guests are from.

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How to say hello!!!

• Observe how your boss and your colleagues welcome
  guests does it seem appropriate and friendly?

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How to say hello!!!

• If you feel uncomfortable with the
  culture-specific way to say hello, i.e. kissing
  on both cheeks, you can choose just to shake
  hands. But be careful not to offend your host by
  doing this!

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How to say hello!!!

• Netherlands (Hallo), Belgium (Salut/ Godei),
  Serbian (Zdravo) people welcome each other with
  three kisses on alternating cheeks and a hug.
• Portugal(Olá), Spain (Hola) two kisses, one on
  the left cheek, one on the right
• In France (Bonjour/ Salut) it depends on the
  region you are in how many kisses you give.
  Mostly its three or four, but if you welcome
  someone the first time two is adequate. Guys
  mostly shake hands.

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How to say hello!!!

• Japan (konnichiwa), Thai (sawùt dee) you fold
  your hands like you are praying and bow. A very
  important part of greeting in Japan is to
  exchange business cards as well.
• In China (néih hóu in Cantonese) it used to be
  the same way, but nowadays its enough to shake
  hands.
• In Russia(Zdravstvujte) you hug each other warmly
  
• England (hello), you shake hands, but be careful
  not to come too close

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How to say hello!!!

• In Italy (ciao) you shake hands as well but be
  careful not to stop the handshake too soon that
  might seem impolite, but as soon as you become
  friends you give three kisses on the cheeks.
• In the US (hi) you shake hands as well woman
  might be welcomed with a hug if she and the host
  are already (well) acquainted.
• Traditionally Turks say Merhaba with a big hug
  and kisses, but with foreigners they will shake
  hands.

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How to say hello!!!

• Youll find other translations of hello under the
  following link
• http//www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/hello.htm
  l

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How to give signs for yes and no

• Yes
• To nod almost worldwide
• Shake head from side to side India, Pakistan,
  Bulgaria
• Nod your head backwards Ethiopia

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How to give signs for yes and no

• No
• Shake your head very common
• Nod your head backwards Arabic Cultures, Greece,
  Turkey, southern Italy
• Wave once almost worldwide
• Wave a few times Japan
• Cross hands very common
• Wave with index finger very common

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Find the right restaurant

• Don't choose a 3-star restaurant with lobster and
  champagne this could intimidate your partner
• Find a nice and comfortable restaurant where you
  and your partners dont feel strained.

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Find the right place

• In your partners culture, are particular foods
  avoided (e.g. pork for Moslems)? Does he or she
  like experiments?
• Be there in time, if possible 10-20 minutes
  earlier, because then you are able to correct and
  change things you dislike.

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Business lunch in China

• Normally you don't shake hands but rather make a
  slight bow.
• During the business negotiations while eating,
  instead of no Chinese people will maybe say
  well talk about that later.

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Business lunch in China

• Be there in time, if possible 10-20 minutes
  earlier. Your business partners take that as a
  sign for reliability
• The Chinese like attentiveness, so it is good
  when you fill their glasses when theyre empty

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Business lunch in China

• Eating with Chinese people could appear a little
  weird. In China it is normal to burp, slurp and
  to eat noisily
• Your language shouldn't be too rude

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Business lunch in the USA

• What to wear? Always a suit and a tie
• The Americans see it as a point of reliability
• Be there on time if you're late Americans find
  it insulting

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Business lunch in the USA

• Let's go Dutch each person pays for his own
  bill
• Another possibility One of the guests is paying
  the whole bill and gets the money back
• If you want to bring presents for your partners
  in the U.S., bring something typically German
  like a cuckoo clock

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Some nonos

• Gestures/Meanings
• North America, Europe "O.K.", "well done"
• France, Belgium "Null", "worthless"
• Japan "Money"
• Sardinia, Malta, Greece, Turkey, Russia, middle
  East, South America "Ahole", gay person

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• USA and other countries good "outstanding"
• Australia, Nigeria "f you!"
• Germany "one"
• Japan "five" 

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Nonos

• Netherlands/Scandinavia Ask if the person speaks
  English or German instead of starting the
  conversation assuming that they do. Especially
  for German people its better to restrain
  yourself at the beginning.
• France Dont be too légere. If you go out for
  dinner, order a meal with several courses and not
  just a single dish and do not forget to leave the
  tip on the table instead of giving it to the
  waiter.
• Italy You have to be patient. Complaining is
  considered really impolite, unlike being late.
  Talking about the family is normal.
• Spain Do not call between 2 and 5 pm, which is
  siesta time. Dinner time is around 9 pm, the bill
  is never split.

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Nonos

• Portugal Portuguese people do not like to be
  considered the same as Spanish. You should at
  least learn yes and no in Portuguese. Dont say
  no too clearly its better to describe it with
  words like we will see or Im not sure yet
• Great Britain Dont get too touchy. Dont join
  in with jokes about the Royals.
• Islamic Countries Do not dress sexy. Cover all
  your skin. Never sit in such a way that Arabs can
  see your sole. As a woman you are not supposed to
  shake hands with any man or touch them. If you go
  to a mosque, take off your shoes.

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No nos

• USA How are you? Should not be taken too
  seriously. Just answer great! , because no one
  really wants to know. Wait to be seated in
  restaurants.
• General Tips You should try to avoid
  conversations about politics and religion. The
  smaller a country is, the more the people
  appreciate it if you know at least a couple of
  words in their language. If you dont know what
  to do in certain situations, its better to ask a
  native. Your worries will be seen positive, your
  mistakes rude.