... banking. While many prominent Filipinos have Chinese ances-
try, there is considerable hostility toward the Chinese dominance of
business.
Arab traders introduced Islam to the Philippines in ... not move anything with
your feet, and do not touch anything with your feet.
●
Do not show the soles of your feet (or shoes). is restriction
determines how one sits: You can cross your legs at ... Filipinos do not arrange themselves in neat lines.
Instead, they form a pushing, shoving crowd, with each person
out for him- or herself. e only times that Filipinos have queued
in neat lines...
... wives of your business partners to dinner, but not to a
luncheon. Expect to be invited to dinners and parties at the home
of your Filipino partner (unless he or she is Chinese; Chinese
rarely ... Never decline an invitation to a social event.
●
When you interrupt Filipinos during a meal, they are obliged to
ask you to join in. is is a formality; just thank them and decline,
saying that ... and din-
ner. If you are hosting a luncheon, be sure to provide a dessert.
●
Social events oen end with dancing and singing. Expect to be
invited to sing.
●
Despite boisterous partying and...
... Philippines,
that nger is pointed at the person or thing being insulted.
●
Since pointing can easily be taken for an insulting gesture, Filipinos
rarely indicate objects or directions by pointing ... situations in
which a handful of small coins is traditional.
●
When invited to a Filipino home, bring (or have sent before you
arrive) owers or a delicacy toyour hostess. Avoid bringing alco-
hol ...
traditions were suppressed, and Singapore was turned into a true
meritocracy.
Cultural Note
Foreigners are honored in the Philippines by being invited to family events: weddings,
anniversaries, baptisms,...
... generally in the morning.
●
Always be on time for all business appointments. Making a Singa-
porean executive wait is insulting and impolite.
●
Try to schedule appointments at least two weeks in advance. ... of yours).
●
Unwavering civility is the single most important attribute for suc-
cessful relationships in Singapore. However, diplomacy in no way
hinders the determination of Singaporean businesspeople ... vitally important in Singapore culture. Indeed, the stan-
dard Chinese greeting literally means Have you eaten?”
●
Respond to written invitations in writing. Among the Chinese,
white and blue...
...
missionaries. Instead, a Korean scholar studying in Beijing was
baptized a Catholic in 1777. It was this scholar, on his return, who
introduced Catholicism to Korea. Protestantism gained a foothold in ... maintained.
Giving gis to acquire favors is a common practice in the workplace,
and reciprocity is expected. Friends expect to rely on each other for
everything. ey spend a lot of time together, ... Note
Prior to the 1950s, North Korea was the industrial heartland of the peninsula. However, their
industries have been dwarfed by South Korea’s modernization. Nighttime satellite photos
prove how...
... underwhelming or overwhelming, it pays to learn howto boast. It is possi-
ble to be modest, yet effective. The trick is to avoid speaking solely of your own
merits in every line. Instead, link your ... won’t haveto train me.
■
Because I worked at your leading competitor for more than 15 years,
I am a skilled worker so you can save time and money since you
won’t haveto train me.
■
You will have ... years, so you won’t haveto go to great expense training me.
Plus, I have learned howto deal with a wide variety of people from
the pleasant senior citizen to the irate executive. In every case,...
... companies.
Information that should be proprietorial tends to leak during these drinking sessions. Volvo is
not the only foreign firm tohave had problems in this arena.
Business Entertaining
●
e ... seriously.
●
Consider sending your proposals in advance of your visit for your
host to preview. At a presentation, recap the major points at the
beginning and the end. Break up the information into small seg-
ments ...
moving your ngers up and down. Beckoning a person by mov-
ing a single nger toward you is very rude.
●
Cover your mouth when yawning or using a toothpick. It is not
necessary to cover your...
... demands,
including giving ocial status to the Tamil language. But the militant
troops backed out on their agreement to surrender to the Indian
peacekeeping force. e ghting continued, and Indian ... purity was historically a main reason for segregating interaction between castes.
The Sri Lankan View
When Buddhism went into decline in India, Sri Lanka emerged as
a Buddhist stronghold in southern ... No business is
conducted during the tea break.
●
Many introductory business appointments are held over meals.
Lunch in a restaurant is a common rst appointment, but lunch
or dinner in a Sri...
... by your Sri Lankan associates,
be very sensitive to their viewpoints about the disaster, but refrain
from oering your opinions on rebuilding, international aid, etc.
●
3
PROTOCOL
Greetings
●
e ... intricately interconnected, the
PRC continues to issue threatening statements regarding the inadvisability of the “secession
of Taiwan.” Despite these declarations, the Taiwanese continue to hold onto ... PROTOCOL
Greetings
●
e traditional greeting is to place your hands together at chin
level and bow slightly.
●
Foreigners are not expected to initiate this gesture, but returning
it will be appreciated.
●
As...
... lightly in the beginning, because there could be up
to twenty courses served. Expect your host to keep lling your
bowl with food whenever you empty it. Finishing all of your food
is an insult to ... rst person,
“I,” Chinese will point to their noses to indicate the same thing.
Gifts
●
Gi giving is oen practiced within a business setting. Good gis
for a rst trip include items with small ... are expected to be punctual to meetings. Do not get
upset, however, if your counterpart is late.
●
Evening entertainment is an important part of doing business in
Taiwan, so expect to be out...
... word that refers to the orbit of the sun moving into Aries.
It marks the beginning of a new solar year—the ai New Year.
TRUE or FALSE: e celebrations usually involve throwing water
on people.
ANSWER: ... Chinese traditionally decline a gi three times before accept-
ing; this prevents them from appearing greedy. Continue to insist;
once they accept the gi, say that you are pleased that they have ... appreciated, but avoid bringing food gis
with you to a dinner or party (unless it has been agreed upon
beforehand). To bring food may imply that your host cannot
provide enough. Instead, send food...
... providing you with a means to better your life today, and in the
future.
●
3
PROTOCOL
Greetings
●
e graceful, traditional ai greeting is called a wai. Press your
hands together as though in ... prayer, keeping arms and elbows
close toyour body, and bow your head to touch your ngers. e
height of your hands is related to the level of deference or respect
you are giving to the person ... them to
shake your hand. If you need to give something to a monk, place it in front of him, or give it to a
man to pass along. Monks are not expected to thank you for a contribution either—however,...
... puppets—or drinking. While the Vietnamese are usually happy
to welcome foreigners into their bars and beer gardens, keep inmind that they have a number
of drinking games. You’re in trouble when ... cuisines
available in Vietnam. In addition to Chinese and ai food,
Vietnamese cities have restaurants serving French and American
cuisine. One can spend a considerable amount of time in Vietnam ... are now in a race with the challenger to drain your drink! Of course, as
soon as you drain that one, several more Vietnamese will undoubtedly challenge you again.
●
3
PROTOCOL
Greetings
●
e...
... title than to omit one.
Indian Naming Conventions
●
India’s naming conventions are changing. For example, the
southern region of India seems to be gradually moving toward
the naming customs of ... Chinese-Americans
who need to adjust their pronunciation and in ections in order to
communicate eectively with native Chinese. One interesting aspect
of the “sustained training” that Cartus recommends ... “Beginner
Chinese for Heritage Learners” (these are employees with Chinese
parents, or those who grew up in China), to “Advanced Business Chi-
nese,” which includes accent modication for Chinese-Americans...
...
drugs (including dosages). In order to avoid problems at cus-
toms, carry all medications in their original containers. Also, take
an extra set of glasses, contacts, or prescriptions. Inyour ... was going
to work with. e ostentatious show of jewelry and the loud clothes
on the U.S. CEO indicated to me that he was in business to amass
personal wealth and had the poor judgment to show ... following Asian destinations,
consider the following cultural guidelines and try to outt yourself
aptly for each country.
●
China: Even casual wear is somewhat conservative. Revealing
clothing...