2. FUNDAMENTAL PATTERNS OF CULTURAL
DIFFERENCES
VISIBLE DIFFERENCES:
● Communication Styles
● Attitudes towards conflicts
● Decision making styles
HIDDEN BELOW THE SURFACE:
● Beliefs
● Values
● Expectations
● Attitudes
3. CASE STUDY
● Srinivaas is moving to the UK from Trichy for higher studies. How will he mingle with his new
peers from different parts of the world?
4. UNDERSTANDING BODY LANGUAGE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
● Maintaining enough personal space is an important aspect
● Most Americans are very mindful of giving others an appropriate amount of personal space
while waiting in line, sharing an elevator, or in business and social situations.
● When sitting, U.S. citizens often look very relaxed. They may sometimes sit with the ankle
of one leg on their knee.
ARAB COUNTRIES:
● The left hand is considered unclean in Arab countries.
● When sitting, keep both feet on the ground.
● The ‘thumbs up’ sign is considered offensive through the Arab world.
5. SOUTH ASIAN COUNTRIES:
● Bows are used for expressing appreciation, making apologies and
requests, as well as for greetings and farewells.
● To give the impression that they are in deep thought, they will sometimes
fold their arms.
6. SELECTING AND PRESENTING GIFTS
● Gifts ensures that the employees/friends feel respected, valued and create a workspace
where they work together,share goals and objectives.
● In countries like UK and countries in North America , gift giving is rare in workplace and it
may carry negative impressions.
Gifts giving etiquette in Japan :
● Gift giving is a central part of japanese business etiquette.
● The best time to present a gift is at the end of the visit.
● A gift for an individual is given in private.
● Before accepting a gift it is polite to refuse at least once or twice before accepting it.
● Give gifts in pair.
7. Gift giving etiquette in China :
● It is a proper etiquette for gifts to be exchanged for celebrations.
● Business gifts are always reciprocated
● Do not give cash
● Depending on the item, avoid giving gifts of one thing, try to give it in pairs.
Gift giving etiquette in Saudi Arabia:
● Gifts are given to most intimate of friends.
● Gifts should be of high quality.
● Always receive/give gifts in right hand.
● Avoid gold as a gift for a men; silver is preferred.
8. TOPICS WORTH SPEAKING
Based on the nativity of the guy you converse with, you’ll have a few selective topics
of interest. Here are a few examples,
● Indonesians like discussing tourism, family etc:-. They will be pleased to hear
you praising their cuisine.
● Germans like speaking about sports(soccer mainly), politics etc.
● Americans like sharing ideas on military, government, automobile etc.
9. Apart from these indegenous favourites there are a few globally preferred topics.
Topics that you can speak to anyone from anywhere, since it has the least
offensive factors involved. Some of which are,
● Cinema
● Food
● Hobbies
● Music
● Books
10. TOPICS TO AVOID DURING A CONVERSATION
GERMANY:
● World War 2
● Personal questions.
SAUDI ARABIA:
● Middle eastern and international oil politics.
● Criticizing or questioning islamic beliefs.
INDONESIA:
● Politics
● Commenting on country’s customs.
14. DONE BY
● V. BALAJI VAASAN - 123018009
● C. V. THEERTHASENAN - 123018105
● AAKASH. V - 123018001
● SIVABALAN. V - 123018091
● S.TRIVIKRAMAN - 123018111
