Ch3 Customs and Cultures

When people in this country table a motion, they want to discuss it. In America, “to table a motion” means to put off the discussion.

• Great Britain

• Saudi Arabia

• Greece

• Japan

In this country, special forms of speech called keigo convey status among speakers. When talking with a person in this country, one should know the person’s rank. People from this country will not initiate a conversation without a formal introduction.

• Great Britain

• Saudi Arabia

• Japan

• Greece

People from this country pride themselves on enhancing their image by keeping others waiting.

• Mexico

• Korea

• Venezuela

• India

When writing a business letter, people in this country like to provide a great deal of background information and detail before presenting their main points.

• Great Britain

• Germany

• Venezuela

• India

For a man to inquire about another man’s wife (even a general question about how she is doing) is considered very offensive in this country.

• Korea

• India

• China

• Saudi Arabia

When in this country, you are expected to negotiate the price on goods you wish to purchase.

• Germany

• China

• India

• Mexico

While North Americans want to decide the main points at a business meeting and leave the details for later, people in this country need to have all details decided before the meeting ends to avoid suspicion and distrust.

• Saudi Arabia

• China

• Korea

• Greece

Children in this country learn from a very early age to look down respectfully when talking to those of higher status.

• Japan

• Mexico

• Korea

• Venezuela

Until recently in this country, the eldest male was legally the ruler of the household, and the custom was to keep the women hidden.

• Great Britain

• China

• India

• Germany

Many businesspeople from the United States experience frustration because yes does not always mean the same thing in other cultures. For example, the word yes in this country means, “OK, I want to respect you and not offend you.” It does not necessarily show agreement.

• Japan

• Germany

• China

• Greece