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Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Facts and Statistics

Azerbaijan Flag

Location: Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range

Capital: Baku

Borders: Armenia (with Azerbaijan-proper) 566 km, Armenia (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 221 km, Georgia 322 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-proper) 432 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 179 km, Russia 284 km, Turkey 9 km

Population: 7,911,974 (July 2005 est.)

Ethnic Makeup: Azeri 90.6%, Dagestani 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%, other 3.9% (1999 census)

Religions: Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other 1.8%

Language in Azerbaijan

The official language is Azerbaijani or "Azeri", a Turkic language. In 1994 it was estimated that some 82% of Azerbaijan's citizens speak Azerbaijani as their first language. In addition, 38% of Azerbaijanis speak Russian fluently to accommodate Russian domination of the economy and politics.

The Azerbaijani language is part of the 'Oghuz', or 'Western Turkic', group of Turkic languages, together with Anatolian Turkish (spoken in Turkey) and Turkmen (spoken in Turkmenistan). Dialectical differences between Azerbaijani and Anatolian Turkish have been attributed to Mongolian and Turkic influences. Despite these differences, Anatolian Turkish speakers and Azerbaijanis can often understand one another if they speak carefully. Spoken Azerbaijani includes several dialects. Since the nineteenth century, Russian loanwords (particularly technical terms) and grammatical and lexical structures have entered the Azerbaijani language in Russian-controlled Azerbaijan, as have Persian words in Iranian Azerbaijan. The resulting variants remain mutually intelligible, however.

Azeri Society & Culture

The Familymap of azerbaijan

o The family forms the basic social structure in Azerbaijan.
o This goes back to many Azeris' history as rural dwellers where a clan (hoj) would share land and work together to form a tight circle.
o A hoj would sometimes consist of up to 40 members.
o Nowadays the family is a lot smaller - usually a married couple with children and possibly grandparents.
o Families still work as an interdependent unit andexpect to receive both financial and emotional support from others.
o Gender roles are still fairly traditional in much of Azerbaijan with the man being the bread-winner and woman taking care of the domestic side of things.

Hierarchal Society

o Azeris are still a very hierarchical society.
o Culture, traditions, family and religious affiliation often take precedence over official laws.
o When the government has trouble resolving an issue, the president often appeals to the "agh sakkal" (prominent and respected people) to help find a solution. "Agh sakkal" means "white beard".

Folklore and Superstition

o Azeri culture, due to its rural roots and culturally rich tapestry, has many superstitions. Examples include:

- A cat crossing your path means bad luck in business.
- Salt accidentally spilled means you are about to quarrel. Sprinkle sugar on the salt to counter this.
- Leaving scissors with opened blades brings misfortune and even death.
- If you meet a person with empty buckets, you are bound for misfortune.
- If you meet a person with bread and full bags, you will have good luck.
- Never hurry to a funeral ceremony.
- Do not cross the way the funeral train goes.
- If the first person you meet on your way to work is male, you will have good luck.
- Do not lend money or bread at night.
- Throwing a bowl of water in the wake of a person who sets off for a business trip or long journey brings the person luck and helps them to return home safe and sound.

Azeri Customs and Etiquette

Meeting and Greeting

o Like most cultures in the area, Azeris like warm and friendly greetings.
o Men greet each other with a handshake, a kiss on the cheek and "salaam" (literally 'peace' but meaning 'hello').
o Women hug and kiss each other once on the left cheek. Azeri women do not generally shake hands among themselves, although many will shake hands with a foreigner.
o Males should wait and see if a woman extends her hand (although most will the more religious may not) - if they do shake it lightly.
o Always take a moment to ask about family, health and business.
o First names are generally used in social situations if the speakers are of similar ages.
o If you do not know the person well, use their first name followed by an appropriate title. For women, use "hanum" ("woman"). For men, use "bey" ("Mr").
o Younger people always initiate greetings with older people.

Gift Giving Etiquette

o Azeris mainly exchange gifts for birthdays, weddings and anniversaries.
o In Azeri culture it is the thought behind the gift, rather than the price, that matters.
o It is customary to refuse a gift at least twice before reluctantly accepting it. Always insist it is too much and the giver should not have gone to any trouble.
o If you are invited to an Azeri's home for dinner, bring flowers or pastries to the hostess. Ask the shop where you buy them to wrap them for you. It is considered polite to reciprocate hospitality with a small gift.
o Always give an odd number of flowers. Even numbers are reserved for funerals.
o Avoid giving alcohol unless you are certain your host partakes.
o Gifts are generally not opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

If you are invited to a Azeri home for food:

o Remove your shoes before entering the house. You may be offered slippers to wear.
o Punctuality is not paramount. Arriving within 30 minutes of the stipulated time is socially acceptable,
o Dress casually but smartly. Never wear tight or revealing clothing.
o If there are many people present shake hands with everyone.
o Table manners are fairly formal. If in doubt watch what others do.
o Remain standing until invited to sit down. You may be shown to a particular seat.
o Keep your elbows off the table and your hands above the table when eating.
o The hostess generally serves the food. The elderly are served first, then the guests, and finally the children.
o Use your right hand only to eat and to pass things.

Business Etiquette, Customs and Protocol

Communication

o Although direct communication is seen as a postive in Azerbaijan, one also has to be careful to employ such directness.
o Information should always be presented in a way that is diplomatic and sensitive so as not to cause loss of face.
o The level of directness you can use is dictated by who you are speaking with.
o If it is a new, formal or important relationship diplomacy s critical. If the relationship is well developed and a level of openness has been established a little more honesty is fine.

Business Cards

o There is no formal ritual surrounding exchange of cards.
o It is a good idea to take plenty with you as it still forms the basic means of keeping contact details as opposed to electronic means.
o Give and receive cards with your right hand.

Business Meetings

o To arrange a meeting in Azerbaijan an introductory letter is needed outlining your company, history and the purpose of your visit.
o It is always a good idea to have such correspondence translated in Azeri to ensure they understand and it also makes you stand out.
o There is a certain amount of protocol one has to follow in meetings as Azeris are quite sensitive to status, title, who sits down first, enters the room first, etc. It is best to follow the lead.
o Politeness is important and is all part of the relationship building process.
o Discussions will often start slowly over tea and the topics of discussion may be completely irrelevant. However, this is the make or break part of your relationship - if you can not strike up a rapport the chances of doing business together are slim.
o Always maintain eye contact while speaking since Azeris take this as a sign of sincerity. If someone does not look them in the eye while speaking, they think the person has something to hide.
o Decisions are reached slowly.
o Never appear impatient or attempt to rush an Azeri to make a decision.
o Expect a great deal of bargaining and haggling. - Azeris are are tough negotiators.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Facts & Statistics

Location: Central South America, southwest of Brazil

Bordering Countries: Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,400 km, Chile 861 km, Paraguay 750 km, Peru 900 km

Population: 8,857,870 (July 2005 est.)

Ethnic Groups: Quechua 30%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry) 30%, Aymara 25%, white 15%

Religion: Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant (Evangelical Methodist) 5%

Language in Bolivia

Spanish is the main and official language of Bolivia. However there are some 39 other living languages used in the country spoken by people in different regions. Examples include Aymara, Chiquitano, Chiriguano and Guyara. Some 50% of the population have an indigenous language as their mother tongue.

Bolivian Spanish as a result of mixing with its indigenous rivals differs from region to region. The vocabulary and pronunciation differs according to where in Bolivia you are, i.e. highlands (Altiplano and valleys) or the lowlands (Santa Cruz, Beni and Pando).

Bolivian Society & Culture

Religion

. Most Bolivians are born into Roman Catholicism.
. Religion tends to be a female dominated activity in terms of attending church and the like.
. Catholicism to some extent has been "localised" as it became intertwined with local folklore and customs in its early years of taking root in the country.

The Family

. The family is the axis of the social life and structure.
. Families are very tight knit and in rural areas, many generations still often live together in one house.
. The extended family or "familia" serves as a strong support and network system.
. Roles within the family are very traditional - "Machismo" is very much alive.
. The wife is generally responsible for domestic duties whereas the husband with be the bread winner.
. The machismo mentality often translates into a feeling of male superiority and a strong sense of honour which means maintaining face/dignity at all cost.

Classes

. Due to Bolivia's history a number of differing ethnic groups have converged which now form a class system.
. Bolivia is basically made up of a small number of whites, a larger group of 'mestizos' (intermarriage of whites with indigenous Indians), a majority of native Indians ('Quechua' or 'Aymara') and a small number of blacks who are descended from the slaves imported during the Spanish colonial period.
. Traditionally the whites minority occupy the top rung on the class ladder. This is mainly due to socioeconomic factors rather than skin colour.

Etiquette and Customs in Boliviamap of bolivia

Meeting & Greeting

. The handshake is the most common form of greeting.
. Direct eye contact is also usual.
. When meeting people will use the most appropriate greeting for the time of day - these are "buenos dias" (good morning), "buenas tardes" (good day), or "buenas noches"(good evening).
. People with an informal relationship will be warmer and embrace or pat each other on the shoulder. Women will kiss on the cheek.
. Unlike Europeans Bolivians use both their maternal and paternal surnames. The father's surname is listed first and is the one used in conversation.
. When a woman gets married she usually adds her husband's first surname to her first surname with the connector "de", so if Jennifer Maria Lopez marries Manuel Sebastien Costa, she would be called Jennifer Maria de Costa.
. If you know of someone's title always use it.

Gift Giving Etiquette

Gifts are usually given at birthdays, Christmas and New Year.
The general rule is by good quality but price is not too important.

Some general gift giving tips include:

. Take flowers, spirits, pastries, sweets/chocolates if invited to a house for Do not give yellow or purple flowers as they have negative connotations.
. Do not give scissors or knives as they indicate a desire to sever the relationship.
. Gifts are not generally opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

Here are some general dining etiquette tips:

. Punctuality is not expected - arrive a good 20 to 30 minutes late.
. It is not good form to discuss business at social functions -concentrate of getting to know people on a personal level.
. At a table the guest is served first.
. The host generally says "buen provecho" ("enjoy" or "have a good meal") to invite guests to eat.
. Keep elbows off the table.
. It is considered polite to refuse food the first time it is offered and wait for the hist to insist before accepting.
. Always use utensils - even fruit is eaten with a knife and fork.
. Wait for a toast to be made before taking the first sip of your drink.
. The host makes the first toast.
. The most common toast is "Salud!"
. When you lift your glass, look at the person being toasted.
. Never leave straight after a meal - you should stay for at least half an hour.

Business Etiquette and Protocol

Meeting & Greetingetiquette in bolivia

. Bolivians tend to be formal in their business dealings.
. It is always best to maintain a level of professionalism.
. Shake hands when meeting and leaving.
. Wait for a woman to extend her hand.
. Eye contact is important.
. Professional or academic titles with the surname are used in business. Common titles are "Doctor" (medical doctor or Ph.D.), "Ingeniero" (engineer), and "Licenciado" (lawyer or university degree).
. If someone does not have a title, the honorific titles Señor or Señora are used with the surname.

Business Cards

. Business cards are exchanged during the initial introductions.
. Try and have one side of your business card translated into Spanish.
. Make sure to include any academic qualifications on your card.

Meetings

. Relationship building is important in Bolivia so initial meetings should always be about establishing trust and learning a little about each other.
. Wait for the other party to move the conversation on to business.
. Meetings are generally relaxed affairs but there is always a sense of formality that should be adhered to.
. Meeting schedules are not very structured in Bolivia. There may be an agenda and a starting time, but they serve as guidelines only and may act as a springboard to other related business ideas and further discussion.
. Time is not considered more important than completing a meeting satisfactorily, therefore meetings will continue until the discussion is completed.
. Be careful not to be too direct in your communication style - negative responses should be diplomatically put so as not to cause a loss of face or dignity.
. Most business is conducted in Spanish so try and arrange for your own interpreter.
. Similarly have any materials translated into Spanish.
. Do not rush meetings or show impatience.
. Decisions are not generally reached at meetings - don't pressure people into making them.
. Meetings are simply for discussion and to exchange ideas.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Facts and Statistics

Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania.

Capital: Nairobi.

Climate: varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior.

Population: 36,913,721 (estimated - July 2007.)

Ethnic Make-up: Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 6%, other African 15%, non-African (Asian, European, and Arab) 1%.

Religions: Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 33%, Muslim 10%, indigenous beliefs 10%, other 2%.

Government: republic

The Language

Kenya is a multilingual country. Although the official languages are Swahili and English, there are actually a total of 62 languages spoken in the country (according to Ethnologue). These mainly consist of tribal African languages as well as a minority of Middle-Eastern and Asian languages spoken by descendants of foreign settlers (i.e. Arabic, Hindi, etc). The African languages come from three different language families - Bantu languages (spoken in the center and southeast), Nilotic languages (in the west), and Cushitic languages (in the northeast).

Kenyan Society and Culture

The Kenyan People

Kenya is not a homogenous country ethnicity wise. The make-up of Kenyans is primarily that of 13 ethnic groups with an additional 27 smaller groups. The majority of Kenyans belong to ‘Bantu’ tribes such as the Kikuyu, Luhya and Kamba. There are also the ‘Nilotic’ tribes such as the Luo, Kalenjin, Maasai and Turkana. The ‘Hamitic’ people include the Turkana, Rendille and Samburu. Around 13% of the population are of non-African descent, i.e. Indian, Arab and European.

Religion

The Kenyan Constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Around half the population are Christians, 10% Muslim and there are small Hindu and Sikh minorities. The balance of the population follows traditional African, often animist, beliefs. Christians tend to be concentrated in the west and central sections of the country while Muslims cluster in the eastern coastal regions. Most Kenyans interweave native beliefs into a traditional religion.

Group Orientation

Kenyans are group-orientated rather than individualistic. “Harambee,” (coming from the Bantu word meaning “to pull together”) defines the people’s approach to others in life. The concept is essentially about mutual assistance, mutual effort, mutual responsibility and community self-reliance. This principle has historically been practiced by every ethnic group with its roots in cooperative farming or herding. Harambee took on a more political resonance when used at the time of independence by Jomo Kenyatta as a way to bring people together.

The Role of the Family

As you might expect in a group-orientated culture, the extended family is the basis of the social structure. It includes relatives on both sides of the family as well as close friends. Quite often the husband’s parents will live with the nuclear family when they get older and can no longer care for themselves. When people marry, they join their families, thus ensuring that there will always be a group to turn to in times of need.

Ancestors

Like most Africans, Kenyans place a large emphasis on the respect and reverence of their deceased ancestors. This is not ancestor worship per se, but rather a belief that when someone dies their spirit lives on and must be acknowledged. The belief is that the person only really dies completely when their relatives no longer remember them.

One’s ancestors are thought to be able to influence events in life since they are in a limbo state and closer to God than the living. Therefore, they may make offerings to them or name a baby after one so that his spirit can live in the child. Demonstrating respect towards ancestors is believed to maintain harmonious relationships within the family, extended family, and clan or tribe.

Etiquette and Customs in Kenya

Map of Kenya

Meeting and Greeting

• The most common greeting is the handshake.
• When greeting someone with whom you have a personal relationship, the handshake is more prolonged than the one given to a casual acquaintance.
• Close female friends may hug and kiss once on each cheek instead of shaking hands.
• When greeting an elder or someone of higher status, grasp the right wrist with the left hand while shaking hands to demonstrate respect.
• Muslim men/women do not always shake hands with women/men.
• The most common greeting is “Jambo?” (“How are you?”), which is generally said immediately prior to the handshake.
• After the handshake it is the norm to ask questions about the health, their family, business and anything else you know about the person.
• To skip or rush this element in the greeting process is the height of poor manners.   
• People are generally addressed by their academic, professional or honorific title followed by their surname.
• Once a personal relationship has developed, you may be able to address a person by their title and first name, first name alone, or nickname. Wait for the Kenyan to determine that your friendship has reached this level of intimacy.                
• Women over the age of 21 are often addressed as “Mama” and men over the age of 35 are often addressed as “Mzee”. Children generally refer to adults as Aunt or Uncle, even if there is not a familial relationship. 

Gift Giving

• In general, Kenyans give gifts for events of significance in a person’s life or days of religious significance.
• Gifts need not be expensive. In fact, practical gifts are preferred. Kenya is a poor country and a gift of something that the person cannot generally afford is always welcome.
• It is customary to give small gifts to servants, trades people, and service workers at Christmas.
• If invited to dinner at a Kenyan’s home, bring pastries, flowers, or sweets for the hostess. In rural areas, gifts of sugar or tea are quite common.
• Gifts should be nicely wrapped, although there are no prohibitions concerning the colour of paper.
• Do not bring alcohol unless you know that your host drinks.
• Gifts should be given using the right hand only or both hands. Never use the left hand.

Dining Etiquette

• Kenyans table manners are relatively formal.
• Dining patterns vary tremendously according to ethnicity, location and socio-economic position of the host.
• The best course of action is to behave formally. When is doubt, watch what others are doing and follow their lead.
• Except for formal functions, there is generally not a seating plan. However, there may be a special place for the most honoured guest.
• Guests are expected to wash their hands before and after the meal. In some homes, a washing basin will be brought to the table. If so, hold your hands over the basin while water is poured over them.
• The honoured guest is usually served first, followed by the men, children, and women.
• Servants often bring the courses to individual guests who are expected to take what they want.
• Do not begin eating until the eldest male has been served and started eating.
• It is a good idea to take a small amount the first time the platters are brought so that you may take second helpings when urged.
• Beverages are not generally served with meals since Kenyans think it is impolite to eat and drink at the same time. They are generally served at the completion of the meal.
• It is considered polite to finish everything on your plate, although it is not mandatory.

Business Etiquette and Protocol

Doing business in Kenya

Communication Style

Direct and frank communication is not the norm in Kenya. Kenyans will always attempt to qualify what they say so that the message is delivered in a sensitive way. This comes down to wanting to protect people’s face and the relationship. If the relationship is intimate the communication style will become more direct. For newly established and more formal relationships, diplomacy will be of utmost importance.

In their attempt not to cause problems, Kenyans often use metaphors, analogies and stories to make a point. They are uncomfortable with blunt statements. If you are from a culture that prizes directness, you may wish to moderate your delivery style. It is also up to you to read between the lines and decipher what may really being said. With this in mind, criticism should be delivered in private and given in a circumspect manner.

Kenyans may gesture for emphasis when speaking. Loud voices are generally only used during disagreements in business situations, although in rural areas, louder speaking tones are the norm. Showing anger is considered a sign of mental instability. Kenyans pride themselves on their emotional control and expect the same in others.

Since maintaining honor and dignity are paramount, Kenyans may offer what they believe is the expected response rather than say something that might embarrass the other person. They often go out of their way to keep from doing something that could bring shame to another person. They expect business colleagues and superiors to inquire about their family before beginning a business discussion.

Meeting and Greeting

• Handshakes are the most common greeting in business.
• When being introduced to someone for the first time, the handshake is short, while handshakes among people with a personal relationship are longer.
• It is a sign of respect to lower your eyes when greeting someone of a higher status or someone who is obviously older than you.
• Men should wait for a woman to extend her and first.
• To rush a greeting is extremely rude. Take the time to inquire about the other person’s general well-being, family, and business in general.
• Titles are important. Use the honorific title plus any academic or professional title and the surname.
• Wait to be invited before moving to a first name basis.
• Business cards are exchanged without formal ritual.
• Present and receive business cards with two hands.

Business Meetings

Meeting schedules may be structured or not at all depending upon the ownership of the company. In British or Indian owned companies, agendas will be used and followed.

As relationships are important in Kenya, devote time to small talk in order to get to know your hosts and vice-versa. It is a good idea to allow your Kenyan hosts determine when it is time to begin the business discussion.

Meetings seldom have scheduled ending times since what matters is finishing the meeting in a satisfactory manner to all concerned. In fact, Kenyans are amused at the concept of an ending time, since they believe the meeting only ends when all parties are finished.

Kenyans value tradition. Therefore, it is a good idea to provide a historical framework or context when attempting to introduce a new idea or process. They may ask questions until they feel comfortable and are able to proceed satisfactorily.

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