A Business Trip
Posted on February 28, 2008 by Lilian
Hello MCITers,
Think of this situation: your company is sending you to a foreign company on a business trip for a week. You need to explore some of the business-related cultural aspects in that country. How do you feel about your findings?
Share with us here: a) the country you’re visiting, b) the cultural aspect you’ve explored, c) your findings about that aspect, and d) how you feel or think about your findings.
Have a safe trip 
Filed under: BE, Culture, Market Leader | Tagged: Business English, Culture, Market Leader Intermediate
The country that I will visit is Brazil. I make some research on the internet to explore some of the business-related cultural aspects in this country. And I found some of it, for example:
*Meeting Etiquette
- Men shake hands when greeting one another, while maintaining steady eye contact.
- Women generally kiss each other, starting with the left and alternating cheeks.
- Hugging and backslapping are common greetings among Brazilian friends.
- If a woman wishes to shake hands with a man, she should extend her hand first.
*Business Meeting Etiquette
- Business appointments are required and can often be scheduled on short notice; however, it is best to make them 2 to 3 weeks in advance.
- In Sao Paulo and Brasilia it is important to arrive on time for meetings. In Rio de Janeiro and other cities it is acceptable to arrive a few minutes late for a meeting.
- Expect to be interrupted while you are speaking or making a presentation.
*I think there are a lot of things in common with us especially In Sao Paulo and Brasilia it is important to arrive on time and it’s the same in our country so I will not be worried in this country
***Note***
Actually in our country we hope to arrive on time but always it’s not happen because of…………………….
“I think that we all know why”
ok about The country that I will visit is France. and this is what i found about business meeting in france
** Meeting Etiquette**
. The handshake is a common form of greeting.
. Friends may greet each other by lightly kissing on the cheeks, once on the left cheek and once on the right cheek.
. First names are reserved for family and close friends. Wait until invited before using someone’s first name.
. You are expected to say ‘bonjour’ or ‘bonsoir’ (good morning and good evening) with the honorific title Monsieur or Madame when entering a shop and ‘au revoir’ (good-bye) when leaving.
. If you live in an apartment building, it is polite to greet your neighbours with the same appellation.
Business Meetings Etiquette
. Appointments are necessary and should be made at least 2 weeks in advance.
. Appointments may be made in writing or by telephone and, depending upon the level of the person you are meeting, are often handled by the secretary.
. Do not try to schedule meetings during July or August, as this is a common vacation period.
. If you expect to be delayed, telephone immediately and offer an explanation.
. Meetings are to discuss issues, not to make decisions.
. Avoid exaggerated claims, as the French do not appreciate hyperbole.
Business Negotiation
. French business emphasizes courtesy and a fair degree of formality.
. Wait to be told where to sit.
. Maintain direct eye contact while speaking.
. Business is conducted slowly. You will have to be patient and not appear ruffled by the strict adherence to protocol.
. Avoid confrontational behavior or high-pressure tactics. It can be counterproductive.
. The French will carefully analyze every detail of a proposal, regardless of how minute.
. Business is hierarchical. Decisions are generally made at the top of the company.
. The French are often impressed with good debating skills that demonstrate an intellectual grasp of the situation and all the ramifications.
. Never attempt to be overly friendly. The French generally compartmentalize their business and personal lives.
. Discussions may be heated and intense.
. High-pressure sales tactics should be avoided. The French are more receptive to a low-key, logical presentation that explains the advantages of a proposal in full.
. When an agreement is reached, the French may insist it be formalized in an extremely comprehensive, precisely worded contract.
Dress Etiquette
. Business dress is understated and stylish.
. Men should wear dark-colored, conservative business suits for the initial meeting. How you dress later is largely dependent upon the personality of the company with which you are conducting business.
. Women should wear either business suits or elegant dresses in soft colours.
Finally . I think that the French like the finer things in life, so wear good quality accessories .
The country I’ll visit is Italy. And the culture I’ve explored in business meeting etiquette was:-
- It is commen to be interrupted while speaking or for several people to speak at once.
- People often raise their voice to be heard over other speakers, not because they are angry.
I found it more difficult because anyone can’t understand any thing when people talk in the same time and also I’ll be more anxious when people raise their voice.
The coutry I’d relly want to visit is USA ofcource not for kissing but because alot of things like some of there cultural aspect :-
1- They believe in specialization and that means that every one has one job or one mission to accomplish
2- they respect the human rights too much.
3- It’s the land of opportunities if you have the talent in any thing u love it’s easy to use your talent and achieve your goals.
But there are also some things in there culture i’ll be anxious about like:-
1- their believes and thoughts spicially with the arab people.
2- My body language may be it’s different and strange fr them.
India is a melting pot of different faiths and religions. The diverse culture of India makes it the most unique country in the world. Customs and rituals are an integral part of the Indian way of life. These customs and traditions traverse the boundary of religion, cast and creed. Customs and rituals of India are what attract many tourists to this myriad land.
One gets a glimpse of the customs and rituals in India as soon as one is welcomed in traditional Indian style. ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ is what inspires the hospitality business in India, which is what reflects the most popular custom of India. ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ means that guest is God and should be treated like a deity. This is what is expressed in welcoming a guest with a garland and putting vermilion on the forehead of the guest. There are a number of such customs that are part of Indian society. Even the Tourism Ministry, Government of India has launched the ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ campaign to make people aware of India’s rich cultural heritage and the philosophy of treating a tourist like God.
Festivals of India
Indians love to celebrate, whether it’s Diwali, Id, Pongal or Christmas. Every festival has its own special customs and rituals – pujas, lighting lamps, throwing colour, feasting or even fasting.
Indian Folk and Classical Dances
Indian culture is as old as the hills and encompasses a wide range of ancient dances. Every region in India has a traditional dance that is an art handed dowm from generation to generation.
Indian Folk and Classical Music
India’s classical music, including Folk and Hindustani music, has a history spanning over a period of hundreds of years and, developed over several eras, remains essential to the lives of Indians today as sources of religious inspiration, cultural expression, emotional bonding and entertainment.
Indian Customs and Traditions
India is very rich in its customs and traditions which keeps it people binding together. Take a peek in this section and find out about the various Indian customs and traditions that makes every tradition a festival in itself.
Touching FeetDoes your child touch your feet? One of the most important aspects of Indian culture is respect for parents, and for age.
Religions of India
India is a melting pot of religions. In this country the Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, Jews and many other religious sects live side by side in relative harmony. Yet it is surprising how many misconceptions abound.
notice in india when you meet women don’t shake hands
really I notice in india movie that there is something that we don’t have in egypt or any country at all the world is love real love not love between boy and girl but between the brother and his brother and so and so .
there are many thing in india not found in any country
buy ………..buy………
okay guys, like mahmoud said
i’ll talk today about my lovely country india india india
A Japanese Culture Overview
Official name – Japan
Population – 127, 463, 611*
Official language – Japanese
Currency – Yen
Capital city – Tokyo
Structure and hierarchy in Japanese companies :
The strong hierarchical structure in Japanese business is reflected in the negotiation process. They begin at the executive level and continue at the middle level. However, decisions will often be made within the group.
Generally speaking, in business meetings the Japanese will line up in order of seniority, with the most senior person at the front and the least senior person closest to the door. In addition to this rule however, you may find that the most senior person chooses where to sit.
It is important to bear in mind that in contemporary Japan, even a low ranking individual can become a manager if his or her performance is good.
HI EVERY BODY
The country I will travel to is japan.
and i’ll take about time in japanese Business life
I think time is the important thing that japanese take care of
when you are working in japan , you are supposed to come at time
no delayes
every thing are prepared to you to come on time
no traffic jam
and that is what we have seen when the Ahly team was there
most of player taked about that
so
that is why japan is one of the biggest 7
one of my friends who traveled to japan told me that if you going somewhere in japan
you have 3 options
1 – take astreet road
2 – take a tunel
3 – take a bridge
and they all lead you to the same direction you want
so there is no trafic jam
Hello every body ,
The country i really wondered when i did my research is China ,Bacause of its different industry culture .,
This country has what named “reverse technology”.,
It’s customs in their industry to bring high-tec things from the developed countries & then make this “reverse tecnology” to discover how this things fabricated, & attempt to make the same things to be affordable then sweeps every markets with this cheap high-tec to make dumping in every international markets by their products.
That’s all i have to say ,
I wish my research gain your approval,
thanks,
the country i will visit is Germany
Meeting Etiquette
. Greetings are formal.
. A quick, firm handshake is the traditional greeting.
. Titles are very important and denote respect. Use a person’s title and their surname until invited to use their first name. You should say Herr or Frau and the person’s title and their surname.
. In general, wait for your host or hostess to introduce you to a group.
. When entering a room, shake hands with everyone individually, including children.
Gift Giving Etiquette
. If you are invited to a German’s house, bring a gift such as chocolates or flowers.
. Yellow roses or tea roses are always well received.
. Do not give red roses as they symbolize romantic intentions.
. Do not give carnations as they symbolize mourning.
. Do not give lilies or chrysanthemums as they are used at funerals.
. If you bring wine, it should be imported, French or Italian. Giving German wines is viewed as meaning you do not think the host will serve a good quality wine.
. Gifts are usually opened when received.
Relationships & Communications
. Germans do not need a personal relationship in order to do business.
. They will be interested in your academic credentials and the amount of time your company has been in business.
. Germans display great deference to people in authority, so it is imperative that they understand your level relative to their own.
. Germans do not have an open-door policy. People often work with their office door closed. Knock and wait to be invited in before entering.
. German communication is formal.
. Following the established protocol is critical to building and maintaining business relationships.
. As a group, Germans are suspicious of hyperbole, promises that sound too good to be true, or displays of emotion.
. Germans will be direct to the point of bluntness.
. Expect a great deal of written communication, both to back up decisions and to maintain a record of decisions and discussions.
Business Meeting Etiquette
. Appointments are mandatory and should be made 1 to 2 weeks in advance.
. Letters should be addressed to the top person in the functional area, including the person’s name as well as their proper business title.
. If you write to schedule an appointment, the letter should be written in German.
. Punctuality is taken extremely seriously. If you expect to be delayed, telephone immediately and offer an explanation. It is extremely rude to cancel a meeting at the last minute and it could jeopardize your business relationship.
. Meetings are generally formal.
. Initial meetings are used to get to know each other. They allow your German colleagues to determine if you are trustworthy.
. Meetings adhere to strict agendas, including starting and ending times.
. Maintain direct eye contact while speaking.
. Although English may be spoken, it is a good idea to hire an interpreter so as to avoid any misunderstandings.
. At the end of a meeting, some Germans signal their approval by rapping their knuckles on the tabletop.
There is a strict protocol to follow when entering a room:
. The eldest or highest ranking person enters the room first.
. Men enter before women, if their age and status are roughly equivalent.