Culture Shock - Issue # 4
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An American golf ball manufacturer launched its products in Japan packed in boxes of four, then had to change the package size. Why? In Japanese the word "four" sounds like the word for "death." Things don't sell well packed in four.

When conducting business internationally, you are faced with different sets of cultural rules. While cultural awareness is not always considered a key success factor when exporting, failure to recognize cultural differences could lead to serious misunderstandings, thus jeopardizing business relationships and possibly contracts.

Here are some tips to help bridge the culture gap:

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Learn about the host country - its history, politics, people, and culture. Having this sort of background information will help you to adapt accordingly. Try to visit countries before you do business with them. The more exposure you have to their culture, the greater your understanding will be.

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Exporters come across inpatriation, expatriation, and repatriation issues. Help employees and their families to ease the transition through the stages of culture shock by providing cultural adaptation training.

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Holidays and events can play havoc with business trips and deadlines.

Whether it is Ramadan or the World Cup, you need to know when and why parts of the world are doing business or not.

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Different cultures meet and greet in various ways. From the one-handed handshake to the handshake with a hug, one, two, or three kisses on the cheek, or the rituals involved in bowing and exchanging business cards - use whichever is appropriate.

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Perception does not always equal reality. An outsider's view of some cultural norms, such as the exchange of gifts, may be based on misconceptions or incorrect assumptions. Don't impose your values on another culture.

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Knowing the local language can avoid embarrassing situations. For example, the Chevrolet Nova car had trouble selling in Puerto Rico because it sounded like no va, meaning "it doesn't go."

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Gestures that are acceptable at home may be considered rude and inappropriate elsewhere. For example, in India do not cross your legs while seated; to point your foot at someone is offensive. In Brazil, the "okay" sign used by North Americans (thumb and index finger forming a circle and the other fingers raised) is considered vulgar.


Country of the month: South Africa
  1. What are the most practiced religions in China?
  2. What is the Chinese concept Guanxi?
  3. What are lucky colours in China?
  4. What is the most spoken language in China?
  5. What is the approximate population of China - 1.05 billion, 1.15 billion or 1.25 billion?
  6. What does the Chinese concept of Feng Shui relate to?
  7. What does the 'Iron Ricebowl' mean?

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Great Wall of China

Answers at the bottom of the page.



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  • Do you have questions concerning cross-cultural practices or diversity issues? E-mail us at research@malkam.com . We will answer you as soon as possible. And you may find your question and answer in the next issue of CULTURESHOCK!
Answers to
China
Quizz

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Top
  1. Although the government encourages atheism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity are the three major formal religions practiced. Traditional Chinese philosophies such as Confucianism and Taoism are also popular.
  2. Guanxi is loosely translated as connections. In business it is often who you know, not what you know. The more people who owe you something, the more you will likely be able to accomplish.
  3. Red is a lucky colour, while pink and yellow are happy and prosperous colours.
  4. The Mandarin dialect of Chinese is by far the most commonly spoken language in China (and in the world). 70% of the population speaks Mandarin, while Cantonese, Wu and Keija dialects are the next most spoken.
  1. Despite rigid population controls (one child per family) China's population is just over 1.25 billion - the most in the world.
  2. Feng Shui (literal translation, wind and water) is based on the notion of man and nature having to co-exist. The explanation is lengthy, but all actions (constructing buildings, moving furniture) must be considered with regard to nature. If you ignore nature you will not have good fortune.
  3. The concept of the 'Iron Ricebowl' is simply defined as the commitment by the Chinese state to provide a job for life. The pay may not be great, but the job is guaranteed, no matter the performance. As China tries to become more competitive, the 'Iron Ricebowl' is being broken.

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