CULTURAL BEHAVIOUR AND PATTERNS OF

COMMUNICATION
 DEFIANCE=DISOBEDIENCE
 DEVIOUSNESS=SNEAKINESS
 PACE=RHYTHM
 SURNAME=FAMILY NAME
 CUSTOMS=TRADITIONS
Task 4

TASK 1: After reading the quotation below, discuss the answers to the following questions:

``Every language serves as the bearer of a culture. If you speak a language, you take part, to
some degree, in the way of living represented by that language.`` (Leonard Bloomfield)

- What is the main idea conveyed by the quotation above?

o The main idea conveyed by the quotation above is being part in a community.
Every language represents a country and it’s speakers. It defies the culture of
each country.
- Do you agree or disagree with the quotation? Why?
- I agree with the quotation because the language is the key factor in each country. It
represents the foundation of culture and traditions.

TASK 2:
- Think about the personal relationships in your life, with friends and family. Can you
explain why you find these relationships rewarding ? What are they based on?
- My personal relationships are rewarding because I can learn a different thing from each
one. They are based on respect.
- Now think about a professional/business relationship. How does it compare with a
personal relationship? What are the differences? Is there anything in common between
the two? Give examples.
A business relationship can compare to a personal one. The aspect that bonds them is
respect. That is the common thing between them. The difference is the abrogation you
approach. With family and friends you can be yourself, relaxed and open. With business
partners on the other hand, you need to keep a formal relationship.
 What is the main idea conveyed by each of the quotations above?
 Which of these quotations do you agree/disagree with? Why?
TASK 3: Read the text below and compare the situations presented in the text to those in your
home country:

No one actually wants to cause offence but, as businesses become more and more
international, it is easy to go wrong. There may be one European Union market, but it does not
mean that people, whether managers or professionals, behave the same in Great Britain as
they do in Portugal. Therefore, when you conduct business abroad, or play host to foreign
partners, it makes good business sense to be aware of cultural differences. By making an effort
to close the cultural gap and get along with people who do not share your background, your
views, your beliefs, your customs or your lifestyles, you will gain respect, increase credibility
and foster successful business relationships.

One piece of useful advice: refrain from taking your assumptions for granted! Take eye
contact as an example. Americans and British people think that a direct eye-to-eye gaze
suggests the desirable traits of honesty and attention. But, people from cultures with great
respect for authority like the Japanese may think this signifies disrespect or defiance. So, when
someone refuses to look you in the eye, perhaps it reflects culturally correct behaviour, not
deviousness.

Very often, the tempo of life has an impact on people.s behaviour. For instance,
Americans appear to be living and working at a rapid pace. This is due to the credo ``time is
money and money talks``. They do not like to waste time and are always punctual. Similarly,
with Asian and German business partners, punctuality is a ``must``, if not the prerequisite to a
good business relationship. And yet, few cultures have an identical understanding of what the
concept of ``punctuality`` really means. To many Canadians, being on time for an appointment
means being about five minutes early. On the other hand, with Latin cultures, time is a relative
thing. In Mexico, being 30 minutes late for a social event is considered normal. Arrive earlier
and you will cause inconvenience to the host; be on time for appointments, but be prepared to
wait for things to get started.
Physical contact is a sore point that may enhance or decrease the chances of creating a
sound business relationship. Unlike Britons and Germans, who keep a certain distance when
talking to people, Latins are inclined to touch their interlocutor and keep smaller personal
space as a sign of friendliness or politeness. In France, good manners require that on arriving at
a business meeting, a manager shakes hands with everyone present.

Addressing people is often a culturally sensitive issue. Americans and Britons prefer to
use first names regardless of age or position in the company and tend to establish
relationships more quickly with new business contacts. Germans differ on this; they are well-
known for the degree of formality they bring to business. They are not used to calling people
by their first names and assign a lot of importance to surnames and titles. If you do not wish to
cause serious offence, remember that someone should be addressed by their titles. The same
applies in Italy where engineers or lawyers expect you to call them by their professional titles.
Likewise, Asians have a strong sense of hierarchy, rank, position and status at all times. They
always use the interlocutor’s surname, including Mr. or Mrs. as a sign of respect. In South
Korea, it is considered rude to call people by their first names unless you know them well. The
same is equally valid for the Middle East. Status is also important and has a direct say on the
appropriate form of address to the people you meet. Thus, refer to your business partner as
Mr. Mubarak and not as Mohammed or Saleh.

TASK 4: Decide if these statements are true (T) or false (F). Mark them accordingly. Correct the
false
ones:
Example: Professional and business people in all E.U. countries act similarly because there is
one single market. x. False. Although there is one E.U. market, people do not behave the same
because their cultures, customs or lifestyles are different.

1. Keeping eye contact in a face-to-face meeting is considered rude in Japan. T

2. The concept of ``punctuality`` has the same meaning all over the world. F = it does not
3. Physical contact does not help to establish a good business relationship in all cultures. F = it
does for the latins
4. German business people don’t like to be called by their last names. F = they fo not like to be
called by their first name
5. Asians and Arabs never address business partners in a formal way. F = they always address
them in a formal way
6. The Japanese and the Mexicans turn down offers or suggestions indirectly. F = not mentioned
7. The Japanese think that talking incessantly is a sign of ignorance. T
8. If an American businessman talks loudly this means he is angry and rude. T
9. The Germans appreciate humorous remarks when doing business. F =they are very formal
10. A flexible approach to cross-cultural business relationships helps to avoid blunders. T

YOUR COUNTRY:

- Eye contact: yes

- Physical contact: no
- Punctuality: yes
- Addressing: formal

TASK 4: Tick the best alternative in the situations below. Give arguments for your choice.

1. You are being entertained by a British or American business partner. Your host asks if you
would like something to drink. You really would like a drink. What would you do? a) Say ``Yes``
b) Say: ``No, thank you`` and wait for your host to ask you again.
c) Say: ``Yes, please``.
d) Say: ``That’s O.K., I can get it myself``.

2. You’ve been having personal problems lately and have just started to feel better. You run
into a British or American business partner before a meeting. He says ``How are you?``. What
would you do?
a) Say: ``Not bad, thanks. And you?``
b) Say nothing but just nod or shake your head.
c) Start talking about your latest problems.
d) Say: ``Fine!``

3. You have just been introduced to a senior British or American business partner. What would
you do? a) Say: ``Hi!``
b) Say: ``Nice to meet you`` and shake hands.
c) Say nothing and shake hands firmly.
d) Say: ``Hello`` and bow.

4. You are going to be late for a scheduled meeting because of the heavy traffic. What would
you do?
a) Hurry up and try to get to the meeting by all means.
b) Call and make another arrangement by inventing an excuse.
c) Call and give the true reasons for your delay, as well as the approximate time you expect to
arrive.
d) Apologize when you eventually arrive