Jacob Jones
January, 21st, 2015
Lab 1 Culture
Country of Choice: Italy
Individualism
The fundamental issue addressed by this dimension is the degree of interdependence a society maintains among its members. It has to do with whether people´s self-image is defined in terms of “I” or “We”.
In Individualist societies people are supposed to look after themselves and their direct family only. In Collectivist societies people belong to ‘in groups’ that take care of them in exchange for loyalty.
At a score of 76 Italy is an Individualistic culture, “me” centered, especially in the big and rich cities of the North where people can feel alone even in the middle of a big and busy crowd. So family and friends becomes an important antidote to this feeling; but the word “friend” should not be misinterpreted because in business it has a slightly different meaning: someone that you know and can be useful for introducing you to the important or powerful people.
For Italians having their own personal ideas and objectives in life is very motivating and the route to happiness is through personal fulfillment. This dimension does vary in Southern Italy where less individualistic behavior can be observed: the family network and the group one belongs to are important social aspects, and rituals such as weddings or Sunday lunches with the family are occasions that one can’t miss. People going from Southern Italy to the North say that they feel cold not only for the different climate but for the less “warm” approach in relationships

Part II Country Comparison Chart

Part III Conducting Business
Certain problems can arise from conducting a domestic business in Italy. First, there is a time difference: Italy is in the Central European Time zone (CET), and compared to the Eastern U.S. six hours difference can make conducting business a hassle. Secondly, the government of Italy is highly developed and quite bureaucratic. Companies must go through many hurdles and several office visits with various departments can make navigating legal obstructions in Italy quite a timely affair. Third, the so-called Value-Added-Tax (VAT) can make the shipping of goods take even longer; a person or business must visit the post office and pay a consumption tax. Finally, the language is barrier is medium high, as one-third of all Italians speak English but not everyone (European Commission et. al). I chose Italy, because I lived in Florence for 6 months.
Part IV Videos http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/taxation/vat/how_vat_works/index_en.htm A cute cartoon of five minutes in length that details the everyday life of Italians versus the other European Union members; it includes difficulties such difficulties as: driving, smoking, government, and bus riding to just name a few. This video is very appropriate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkpdZxEpenA This video details 5 cultural norms in Italy, like do not ask for ice in your drink or do not drink cappuccino past one. This video is very appropriate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UGo9qzAk_o
This video highlights the overt sexuality of Italian men when they are around women. Funny and somewhat appropriate if a female is traveling there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxu50kiDVGc My final video, this one uses Dolce & Gabbana models to explain Italian hand gestures. Italians use their hands when speaking quite a lot, for most, if not all of the conversation. Part V News Article http://www.internations.org/italy-expats/guide/working-in-italy-15329/etiquette-and-the-job-search-in-italy-2 This is a news article from expatriate blog that details and highlights the differences of working in Italy. Some key areas: women’s right, women’s pay disparity, and business etiquette.
Part VI
Cross Cultural Quiz Quiz FeedbackScore 5.95/7 | Question 1Nick Mills had worked hard to become the top sales representative of the IT company he worked for. When the company received an invitation from an Argentinean firm to make a marketing presentation for them, Nick was chosen to go to Buenos Aires. Nick had set up an appointment to make his presentation the afternoon he arrived. Upon arrival he was met by the host firm who told him the presentation was postponed for two days to give Nick a chance to rest and see the sites. Nick insisted he was fit and ready for the presentation and pressed to have it that afternoon. Eventually it was put back to the original slot but Nick noticed that none of the executives at the meeting seemed interested. At the end of the meeting the Vice President suggested they all meet again in two days. Why did Nick get this reaction?Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | Argentines are fiercely proud of their culture and heritage and saw Nick's lack of enthusiasm to take in the sights as an insult. | | | 25% | Nick's insistence that it take place that day was seen as over zealous - a trait considered undesirable. | | | 23% | Their initial offer to delay it two days was their way of allowing enough time to get to know Nick. As a virtual 'stranger' none of the executives felt the desire to engage with him. | | | 50% | This question was answered 12015 times | Your score: |
Bottom of FormQuestion 2Jonathan Manning has been chosen to set up a branch of his engineering consulting firm in Seoul, South Korea. Although the six engineering consultants that would eventually be transferred there were British, Jonathan is interested in hiring locals as support staff. He is particularly keen to hire an accountant. He is offering a great salary with excellent working conditions. He gets some names put forward through contacts he has in Seoul. After meeting with them he is surprised to find all of them turn down his offer. All preferred to stay with their current employers. Why?Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | Most Koreans stay with their first employer for the rest of their career out of a sense of loyalty. | | | 50% | Koreans consider it shameful to work for foreigners. | | | 11% | Jonathan should not have approached them directly but through a third party. | | | 19% | New firms are seen as risky in Korea, most Koreans prefer to transfer to well established companies. | | | 19% | This question was answered 12015 times | Your score: |
Bottom of FormQuestion 3A U.S. golfing equipment manufacturer decided to explore the possibility of entering the Japanese market. They have arranged a meeting with a major Japanese firm to discuss a joint venture. Three representatives of each firm meet up in San Francisco. Following the initial introductions the men sat down at opposite sides of the table. After offering their Japanese guests a drink the U.S. representatives proceeded to take off their jackets and roll up their sleeves as a sign of 'lets get down to business'. The meeting was unsuccessful and the joint venture never took place. What cultural faux pas did the Americans make?Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | The seating arrangements came across as distant to the Japanese who like to conduct business in a friendly atmosphere. | | | 15% | The U.S. business men should have also offered the Japanese the chance to take off their jackets. | | | 14% | The removal of jackets was seen as un-businesslike, inappropriate and in breach of professional conduct. | | | 62% | Drinks are always left to after meetings in Japan. | | | 8% | This question was answered 12015 times | Your score: |
Bottom of FormQuestion 4Jane and Diana had been working together as teachers in Istanbul, Turkey. It was coming up to the end of their contracts and had decided they wanted to see a bit more of 'real Turkey'. As they got further into the countryside and away from Istanbul they started to feel hostility towards them. On one occasion they stopped at a small coffee house in a village for some refreshments and found themselves the centre of attention. They felt shaken by the numerous stares. Jane and Diane could not understand the difference in attitude between people in Istanbul and those in the countryside.Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | There was no hostility - in many parts of the world people tend to stare at something new or unusual. Istanbulis are a lot more cosmopolitan and are used to Western women. | | | 53% | Women are not allowed to leave the house in rural Turkey. | | | 18% | In small villages in Turkey one should always greet the village head before doing anything. | | | 12% | Turks in general are suspicious of strangers and this is amplified in rural locations. | | | 15% | This question was answered 12015 times | Your score: |
Bottom of FormQuestion 5Jenny Rains had been assigned to the Paris office of his company. As a graduate in French and someone with a lot of admiration for all things French she was very excited. Upon arriving at the new office Jenny was looking forward to meeting all his new colleagues and getting to know them. While waiting for a meeting to begin she decided to initiate some conversation with another member of staff present, Mr Le Blanc. She introduced herself as Madame Rains and went on to enquire as to whether Mr Le Blanc was married and had children. Monsieur Le Blanc seemed distant and unapproachable. Why?Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | Introducing oneself as Monsieur/Madame if you are a foreigner is considered arrogant in France. | | | 21% | As a new member of staff Jenny should have waited for Mr Le Blanc to approach her. | | | 20% | Asking personal questions in France is considered intrusive. | | | 51% | Chatting before meetings in not considered proper business conduct. | | | 7% | This question was answered 12015 times | Your score: |
Bottom of FormQuestion 6George Tailor works as a supervisor for an engineering company in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In the UK he had a reputation for speaking his mind and by doing so getting the best out of his staff. At the current project in Riyadh he supervises 12 British staff and nearly 50 Saudi staff. After a few months George has become increasingly frustrated by what he sees a less than effective Saudi team. Their lack of competence and slow work pace is worrying George. What should he do to try and bring the Saudi staff back into line?Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | Publicly reprimand a few of the Saudi staff to ensure the message gets across to them all. By doing so he will also establish who is boss. | | | 14% | Pick one member of the Saudi staff to explain his worries to. This staff member will then be used to relay George's opinions to the rest. | | | 29% | Speak to as many members of staff individually or in small groups, explaining his viewpoint and encouraging them to better their work practice and enthusiasm. | | | 46% | Report them to his manager, a Saudi national, and let him deal with them. | | | 11% | This question was answered 12015 times | Your score: |
Bottom of FormQuestion 7Bob de Jonge and his Thai associate, Chaiwat Soonvichai, are walking into a meeting in Bangkok. Chaiwat asks Bob casually, 'Do you have the latest marketing portfolio with you?' Bob stops in his tracks and slaps his forehead. 'Why on earth didn't you ask me that earlier? Now there's no time to go back and get it'. The two continue on and conduct a successful meeting yet a month later Chaiwat leaves the company. What went wrong?Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | Chaiwat saw the slapping of the forehead as an insult to his intellect. | | | 21% | Chaiwat felt a great loss of face through Bob's reaction and felt compelled to leave the company. | | | 40% | Bob should have apologised to Chaiwat after the meeting as the missing portfolio had no negative effect. | | | 18% | Bob's reaction was seen as hot-headed and Chaiwat construed that as a bad sign in terms of an employer. | | | 19% | This question was answered 12015 times | Your score: |
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Business Card Quiz 8.5/10
Question 1Business cards are always reciprocated in the USA?
Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | True | | | 47% | False | | | 53% | This question was answered 5282 times | Your score: |
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Question 2In Sri Lanka which hand should you not use to pass business cards?
Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | Left | | | 70% | Right | | | 30% | This question was answered 5282 times | Your score: |
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Question 3Which of these is most important on business cards in Germany?
Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | Age | | | 10% | Qualifications | | | 63% | Years at current company | | | 27% | This question was answered 5282 times | Your score: |
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Question 4In the Philippines who should give the business card first?
Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | The visitor | | | 52% | The host | | | 47% | This question was answered 5282 times | Your score: |
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Question 5Which of these should you not do to a South Korean's business card?
Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | Write on it | | | 70% | Comment on it | | | 19% | Look at it | | | 11% | This question was answered 5282 times | Your score: |
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Question 6What colour ink is best for business cards in China?
Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | Green | | | 18% | Black | | | 31% | Gold | | | 51% | This question was answered 5282 times | Your score: |
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Question 7When meeting a group of people in Venezuela you should give your business card to...
Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | Only the most senior person | | | 47% | Everyone | | | 44% | No-one | | | 8% | This question was answered 5282 times | Your score: |
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Question 8You should accept cards in Japan with...
Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | Both hands | | | 76% | Left hand | | | 11% | Right hand | | | 13% | This question was answered 5282 times | Your score: |
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Question 9What language should you ideally translate your business cards into if going to Taiwan?
Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | Cantonese | | | 49% | Japanese | | | 12% | Mandarin | | | 38% | This question was answered 5282 times | Your score: |
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Question 10Exchaging business cards is very ceremonious in the UK.
Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | True | | | 39% | False | | | 60% | This question was answered 5282 times | Your score: |
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Dining Etiquette Quiz
Question 1In Belarus what is the most popular drink at a business gathering?
Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | Wine | | | 23% | Vodka | | | 63% | Beer | | | 14% | This question was answered 8617 times | Your score: 1 |
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Question 2In the Middle East which of these should you avoid when eating?
Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | Drinking anything | | | 11% | Eating with a full mouth | | | 19% | Using your left hand | | | 70% | This question was answered 8617 times | Your score: 1 |
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Question 3Who pays for a meal in France?
Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | Everyone shares it | | | 26% | Host | | | 59% | Guest | | | 15% | This question was answered 8617 times | Your score: 1 |
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Question 4At a dinner in Hong Kong where will the guest of honour be seated?
Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | To the left of the host | | | 18% | To the right of the host | | | 31% | Opposite the host | | | 50% | This question was answered 8617 times | Your score: 0 |
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Question 5Dropping your chopsticks in China is considered bad luck.
Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | True | | | 86% | False | | | 13% | This question was answered 8617 times | Your score: 1 |
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Question 6Jews are forbidden from eating which of these?
Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | Duck | | | 47% | Lobster | | | 44% | Tuna | | | 9% | This question was answered 8617 times | Your score: 1 |
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Question 7In South Korea it is considered polite to:
Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | Finish all the food on your plate | | | 48% | Refuse offers of more food at least 3 times | | | 36% | Pay for the meal even if you are the guest | | | 15% | This question was answered 8617 times | Your score: 0 |
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Question 8In Bolivia bananas should be eaten with a knife and fork
Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | True | | | 65% | False | | | 35% | This question was answered 8617 times | Your score: 1 |
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Question 9In Belgium how many times should you raise your glass when toasting?
Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | Once | | | 24% | Twice | | | 53% | Thrice | | | 23% | This question was answered 8617 times | Your score: 1 |
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Question 10In India one should never offer someone food from their plate?
Top of Form Answer choices | Correct | Your choice | Users statistics | True | | | 67% | False | | | 33% | This question was answered 8617 times | Your score: 1 |
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