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Friday, April 29, 2011

Facts and Statistics

Location: Southern Asia, bordering Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912 km, Iran 909 km

Capital: Islamabad

Population: 159,196,336 (July 2004 est.)

Ethnic Make-up: Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (Pathan), Baloch, Muhajir (immigrants from India at the time of partition and their descendants)

Religions: Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%), Christian, Hindu, and other (inc. Sikh) 3%

Language in Pakistan

Urdu is the only official language of Pakistan. Although English is generally used instead of Urdu in this regard. English is the lingua franca of the Pakistani elite and most of the government ministries.

Urdu is closely related to Hindi but is written in an extended Arabic alphabet rather than in Devanagari. Urdu also has more loans from Arabic and Persian than Hindi has.

Many other languages are spoken in Pakistan, including Punjabi, Siraiki, Sindhi, Pashtu, Balochi, Hindko, Brahui, Burushaski, Balti, Khawar, Gujrati and other languages with smaller numbers of speakers.

Pakistani Society & Culture

Islam

. Islam is practised by the majority of Pakistanis and governs their personal, political, economic and legal lives.
. Among certain obligations for Muslims are to pray five times a day - at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening.
. Friday is the Muslim holy day. Everything is closed.
. During the holy month of Ramadan all Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk and are only permitted to work six hours per day. Fasting includes no eating, drinking, cigarette smoking, or gum chewing.

The FamilyMap of Pakistan

. The extended family is the basis of the social structure and individual identity.
. It includes the nuclear family, immediate relatives, distant relatives, tribe members, friends, and neighbours.
. Loyalty to the family comes before other social relationships, even business.
. Nepotism is viewed positively, since it guarantees hiring people who can be trusted, which is crucial in a country where working with people one knows and trusts is of primary importance.
. The family is more private than in many other cultures.
. Female relatives are protected from outside influences. It is considered inappropriate to ask questions about a Pakistani's wife or other female relatives.
. Families are quite large by western standards, often having up to 6 children.

Hierarchical Society

. Pakistan is a hierarchical society.
. People are respected because of their age and position.
. Older people are viewed as wise and are granted respect. In a social situation, they are served first and their drinks may be poured for them. Elders are introduced first, are provided with the choicest cuts of meat, and in general are treated much like royalty.
. Pakistanis expect the most senior person, by age or position, to make decisions that are in the best interest of the group.
. Titles are very important and denote respect. It is expected that you will use a person's title and their surname until invited to use their first name.

Etiquette & Customs in Pakistan

Meeting and Greeting

. Greetings are therefore often between members of the same sex; however, when dealing with people in the middle class, greetings may be across sex lines.
. Men shake hands with each other. Once a relationship is developed, they may hug as well as shake hands.
. Women generally hug and kiss. Pakistanis take their time during greetings and ask about the person's health, family, and business success.
. Pakistani names often include a name that denotes a person's class, tribe, occupation, or other status indicator.
. They may also include two names that have a specific meaning when used together, and the meaning is lost if the names are separated.
. It is best to ask a person how they wish to be addressed.
. In general, this is not a culture where first names are commonly used, except among close friends.

Gift Giving Etiquette

. If invited to a Pakistani's home, bring the hostess a small gift such as flowers or good quality chocolates.
. Men should avoid giving flowers to women.
. Do not give white flowers as they are used at weddings.
. If a man must give a gift to a woman, he should say that it is from his wife, mother, sister, or some other female relative.
. Do not give alcohol.
. Gifts are not opened when received.
. Gifts are given with two hands.

Dining Etiquette

. If invited to a home you will most likely have to remove your shoes. Check to see if the host is wearing shoes. If not, remove yours at the door.
. Dress conservatively.
. Arrive approximately 15 minutes later than the stipulated time when invited to dinner or a small gathering.
. You may arrive up to one hour later than the stipulated time when invited to a party.
. Show respect for the elders by greeting them first.
. In more rural areas, it is still common to eat meals from a knee-high round table while sitting on the floor.
. Many people in urban areas do not use eating utensils, although more westernized families do.
. When in doubt, watch what others are doing and emulate their behaviour.
. Guests are served first. Then the oldest, continuing in some rough approximation of age order until the youngest is served.
. Do not start eating until the oldest person at the table begins.
. You will be urged to take second and even third helpings. Saying "I'm full" will be taken as a polite gesture and not accepted at face value.
. Eat only with the right hand.

Business Etiquette & Protocol in Pakistan

Building Relationships & CommunicationCustoms in Pakistan

. Third-party introductions are a necessity in this relationship-driven culture.
. Pakistanis prefer to work with people they know and trust and will spend a great deal of time on the getting-to-know-you part of relationship building.
. You must not appear frustrated by what may appear to be purely social conversation. Pakistanis are hospitable and enjoy hosting foreign guests.
. Relationships take time to grow and must be nurtured. This may require several visits.
. Pakistanis often ask personal questions as a way to get to know you as a person.
. If possible, it is best to answer these questions.
. Pakistanis do not require as much personal space as most western cultures. As such, they will stand close to you while conversing and you may feel as if your personal space has been violated. Do not back away.
. Pakistanis are generally indirect communicators.
. Always demonstrate deference to the most senior person in the group.
. In general, Pakistanis speak in a roundabout or circuitous fashion. Direct statements are made only to those with whom they have a long-standing personal relationship.
. They also use a great deal of hyperbole and similes, and go out of their way to find something to praise.
. Be prepared to flatter and be flattered.
. Pakistanis prefer to converse in a non-controversial manner, so they will say they "will try" rather than admit that they cannot or will not be able to do something.
. Therefore, it is important to ask questions in several ways so you can be certain what was meant by a vague response. Silence is often used as a communication tool.
. Pakistanis prefer to do business in person. They see the telephone as too impersonal a medium for business communication.

Business Meeting Etiquette

. Appointments are necessary and should be made, in writing, 3 to 4 weeks in advance, although meetings with private companies can often be arranged with less notice.
. The best time to schedule meetings is in the late morning or early afternoon.
. If at all possible, try not to schedule meetings during Ramadan. The workday is shortened, and since Muslims fast, they could not offer you tea, which is a sign of hospitality.
. You should arrive at meetings on time and be prepared to be kept waiting.
. Pakistanis in the private sector who are accustomed to working with international companies often strive for punctuality, but are not always successful.
. It is not uncommon to have a meeting cancelled at the last minute or even once you have arrived.
. In general, Pakistanis have an open-door policy, even when they are in a meeting. This means there may be frequent interruptions. Other people may wander into the room and start a different discussion.
. Meetings are formal.
. Business meetings start after prolonged inquiries about health, family, etc.
. Never inquire about a colleague's wife or daughters.
. During the first several meetings, business may not be discussed at all as the relationship is still being developed.
. Maintain indirect eye contact while speaking.

Negotiating

. Companies are hierarchical. Decisions are made by the highest-ranking person.
. Decisions are reached slowly. If you try to rush things, you will give offense and jeopardize your business relationship.
. The society is extremely bureaucratic. Most decisions require several layers of approval.
. It often takes several visits to accomplish simple tasks.
. If you change negotiators, negotiations will have to start over since relationships are to the person and not the company that they represent.
. Pakistanis are highly skilled negotiators.
. Price is often a determining factor in closing a deal.
. Pakistanis strive for win-win outcomes.
. Maintain indirect eye contact while speaking.
. Do not use high-pressure tactics.
. Pakistanis can become highly emotional during negotiations. Discussions may become heated and even revert to Urdu (the national language). It is imperative that you remain calm.

Business Card Etiquette

. Business cards are exchanged after the initial introduction.
. Include any advanced university degrees or professional honours on your card, as they denote status.
. Business cards are exchanged using the right hand only or with two hands.
. Make a point of studying any business card you receive before putting into your business card holder.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Facts and Statisticsflag of cambodia

Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos

Capital: Phnom Penh

Population: 13,607,069

Ethic Groups: Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4%

Religions: Theravada Buddhist 95%, other 5%

Language in Cambodia

Khmer is the official language of Cambodia and is used in most social contexts including government administration, education at all levels, and in the mass media. It is spoken by some 7 million people living there, roughly 90% of the population.

Regional differences are slight and normally mutually intelligible. Based on the dialect of the capital city of Phnom Penh, Modern Khmer is used throughout the nation and widely understood by its inhabitants. Much Khmer vocabulary used in literature, the military, and administration is borrowed from Sanskrit, or Pali. Due to years of French colonial rule, numerous French words have been incorporated into the language as well.

Cambodian Society & Culture

ReligionMap of Cambodia

. The majority of Cambodians follow Theravada Buddhism.
. Originating in India, the religion teaches that life and death in this world are intertwined through the concept of reincarnation.
. Every person lives a life as a worldly being and depending on their behaviour will come back in their next life as a higher or lower being.
. "Karma" is the term used to describe this - i.e. if you do good you will have good karma. A rough translation of this is, "you reap what you sow." 

Theravada Buddhism has the following principles:

- Have the right thoughts.
- Have the right goals.
- Speak the right words.
- Perform the right deeds.
- Earn a living in the right way.
- Make the right effort.
- Be intellectually alert.
- Meditate.

Hierarchy

. Buddhism also reinforces a sense of hierarchy within society.
. Interpersonal communication is built on the relationship between those involved.
. Common hierarchical guidelines are that parents are superior to children, teachers to students and managers to subordinates.
. Monks will even walk in rank order, highest in front and most junior at the rear.
. As a foreigner you may find that people ask personal questions - this is a means to identify your 'rank' rather than being nosy. They may change the way they communicate depending on your status.

Collectivism

. Cambodia is a collective society - individuals take second place to the group whether this is the family, neighbourhood or company.
. In such societies, etiquette and protocol guidelines are used to maintain a sense of common harmony - for example subtle communication styles are employed in order to minimize the chances of causing offense to others.
. The concept of face also ties in with this collective outlook.
. Protecting both one's own and other's face is extremely important.
. Face can roughly be translated as a combination of honour, dignity and public reputation that is attributed to a person.
. Face can be lost, given and accrued.
. Foreigners in Cambodia need to be aware of the mechanics of face to ensure they do not cause anyone to lose face as a result of unintentional actions.
. Face is lost when someone is criticized, embarrassed or exposed in public.
. It can be given by complimenting someone publicly, i.e. for their business acumen or hospitality.

Cambodian Etiquette and Customs

Meeting & GreetingEtiquette in Cambodia

. Greetings between Cambodians are dependent on the relationship/hierarchy/age between the people.
. The traditional greeting is a bow combined with a bringing of the hands together at chest level (similar to bringing hands together for prayer).
. If one intends to show greater respect the bow is lower and the hands brought higher.
. With foreigners Cambodians have adopted the western practice of shaking hands. Women may still use the traditional Cambodian greeting.
. The simple rule is to respond with the greeting you are given.
. In Cambodia people are addressed with the honorific title "Lok" for a man and "Lok Srey" for a woman followed with the first name or both the first and surname.

Gift Giving Etiquette

. Gifts are usually given at Cambodian New Year (Chaul Chnam).
. Birthdays are not big events like in the West and people of the older generation may not even know their date of birth.
. Unlike most other cultures, Cambodians do not celebrate birthdays. In fact, many older people may not know the exact date of their birth.
. A small gift can also be taken if invited to someone's home for food.
. If invited to a home, take nicely presented fruit, sweets, pastries or flowers.
. Avoid giving knives.
. Gifts are usually wrapped in colorful paper.
. Do not use white wrapping paper, as it is the color of mourning.
. When giving gifts use both hands.
. Gifts are not opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

. Table manners are fairly formal.
. If unconfident with the dos and don'ts simply follow what others do.
. When invited to the dining table wait to be told where to sit as you would not want to upset any hierarchical arrangements.
. The oldest person is usually seated first.
. Similarly the eldest person should start eating before others.
. Do not begin eating until the eldest person starts.
. Never discuss business in such social settings.

Business Etiquette and Protocol in Cambodia

Meeting and Greeting

. As Cambodia is a hierarchical culture the business world follows suit in terms of protocol and behaviours.
. Respect and deference must always be shown to the most senior person.
. When meeting a group you will be introduced to the highest ranking person, similarly you should have the most senior of your group greet them.
. If groups are involved you should introduce people according to rank so that your Cambodian counterparts understand the dynamics of the group.
. Handshakes are normal although be careful not to be too firm as this may be construed as aggressive.
. If men are dealing with women they should wait and see if they extend a hand before doing so. Eye contact should be kept to a minimum.
. Cambodians address people with the honorific title "Lok" for a man and "Lok Srey" for a woman with the first name alone or both the first and surname.

Business Cards

. Business cards should be exchanged after the initial introductions.
. Have one side of your card translated into Khmer if possible.
. Present your card so the Khmer side is readable to the recipient.
. Use the right hand or both hands when offering or receiving a business card.
. It is important to treat business cards with respect as the way you handle the card is indicative of the way you will treat the person.

Business Meetings

. Meetings do not stick to any schedule or agenda.
. Issues may be tackled separately and altogether if need be - once an issue has seemingly been resolved it may later be addressed again.
. Meetings will continue until the attendees feel everything has been satisfactorily covered.
. Building a relationship on mutual trust is crucial so initially time should be invested in getting to know your counterparts.
. Small talk should always be employed at the beginning of meetings.
. Cambodians are very indirect communicators so some reading between the lines is a necessary skill.
. They will always consider the implications of making statements or using particular words especially if it involves anything negative as this draws in the issue of face.
. In fact if Cambodians disagree with someone they would rather remain silent than make any comment.
. If they disagree with an idea, they generally remain silent.
. If unsure about statements be sure to double check.
. Cambodians prefer ideas to be brought forward in a gentle way and to wait for others to respond.
. Pushy, pressured or boastful communication styles are a real turn-off.
. Punctuality is important. Arriving late shows a lack of respect for the person with whom you are meeting.
. Non-verbal behaviour is just as important to be aware of.
. For example, smiling in Cambodia is situational and can have many meanings; it may mean a person does not understand what has been said, they are nervous or even irritated.
. Showing emotions is considered a negative behaviour. Anger, impatience or frustration should be hidden as it would lead to a loss of face.
. overtly is not part of the culture and is considered a sign of weakness as well as poor manners.
. Modesty and humility are emphasized in the culture, so compliments and praise are generally responded to by a deprecating comment.
. It is a good idea not to speak with bravado, which may be interpreted as boasting.
Avoid prolonged eye contact.
. Be sure to speak clearly, slowly and to avoid use of slang, adages and colloquial sayings.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Facts and Statistics

Kuwait Flag

Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia

Capital: Kuwait City

Population: 2,257,549 including 1,291,354 non-nationals (July 2004 est.)

Ethnic Make-up: Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7%

Religions: Muslim 85% (Sunni 70%, Shi'a 30%), Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other 15%

Language in Kuwait

Arabic is the official language of Kuwait, but English is widely spoken. It is used in business and is a compulsory second language in schools. Among the non-Kuwaiti population, many people speak Farsi, the official language of Iran, or Urdu, the official language of Pakistan.

Arabic is spoken by almost 200 million people in more than 22 countries. It is the language of the Qur'an, the Holy Book of Islam, and of Arab poetry and literature. While spoken Arabic varies from country to country, classical Arabic has remained unchanged for centuries. In Kuwait, there are differences between the dialects spoken in urban areas and those spoken in rural areas.

Kuwaiti Society & Culture

Islam

Islam is practised by the majority of Kuwaitis and governs their personal, political, economic and legal lives. Islam emanated from what is today Saudi Arabia. The Prophet Muhammad is seen as the last of God's emissaries (following in the footsteps of Jesus, Moses, Abraham, etc) to bring revelation to mankind. He was distinguished with bringing a message for the whole of mankind, rather than just to a certain peoples. As Moses brought the Torah and Jesus the Bible, Muhammad brought the last book, the Quran. The Quran and the actions of the Prophet (the Sunnah) are used as the basis for all guidance in the religion.

Among certain obligations for Muslims are to pray five times a day - at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening. The exact time is listed in the local newspaper each day. Friday is the Muslim holy day. Everything is closed. Many companies also close on Thursday, making the weekend Thursday and Friday.

During the holy month of Ramadan all Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk and are only permitted to work six hours per day. Fasting includes no eating, drinking, cigarette smoking, or gum chewing. Expatriates are not required to fast; however, they must not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum in public.

Each night at sunset, families and friends gather together to celebrate the breaking of the fast (iftar). The festivities often continue well into the night. In general, things happen more slowly during Ramadan. Many businesses operate on a reduced schedule. Shops may be open and closed at unusual times.

Although over 95% of the population are Muslim, Kuwait is known for its religious tolerance. The three Churches are allowed to practice freely. Kuwait is the only Gulf Country to establish relations with the Vatican.

Family Values

. The extended family is the basis of the social structure and individual identity. It includes the nuclear family, immediate relatives, distant relatives, tribe members, friends, and neighbours.
. Nepotism is viewed positively, since it guarantees hiring people who can be trusted, which is crucial in a country where working with people one knows and trusts is of primary importance.
. The family is private. Female relatives are protected from outside influences. It is considered inappropriate to ask questions about a Kuwaiti's wife or other female relatives.

Etiquette and Customs in Kuwait

Meeting EtiquetteMap of Kuwait

. Kuwaitis are hospitable; however, it is important to behave according to their cultural norms.
. Although women play a greater role in Kuwaiti society then women do in many other Gulf countries, they seldom socialize together in public.
. Greetings are therefore between members of the same sex. In all cases they are given with a sense of enthusiasm and general pleasure at meeting or seeing the person again.
. Kuwaitis take time during the greeting process to converse about their health, family, mutual friends and acquaintances, and other general matters of interest.

Naming Conventions

. The first name is the personal name and used as we would use ours.
. The second name is the father's personal name. It is used with the connector "al- ".
. The third and fourth names are the grandfather's personal name and a name that denotes the family lineage. Both names generally start with the prefix "al-".
. The name of Suleyman Al-Ahmed Al- Mustafa Al-Sabah means Suleyman, son of Ahmed, grandson of Mustafa of the Sabah family/tribe.
. Women do not take the husband's name upon marriage.

Gift Giving Etiquette

. Extended family or very close friends may exchange gifts for birthdays, Ramadan, Eid, Hajj and other celebratory occasions.
. If you are invited to a Kuwaiti home, bring a houseplant, box of imported chocolates, or a small gift from your home country.
. If a man must give a gift to a woman, he should say that it is from his wife, mother, sister, or some other female relative.
. Do not give alcohol unless you know for sure he/she partakes.
. Gifts are not opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

. Kuwaitis socialize in their homes, restaurants, or international hotels.
. If both sexes are included, they may be entertained in separate rooms, although this is not always the case.

When going to a Kuwaitis house:

. Check to see if the host is wearing shoes. If not, remove yours at the door.
. Dress conservatively.
. Show respect for the elders by greeting them first.
. Accept any offer of food or drink. To turn down hospitality is to reject the person.
. If you are invited for a meal, there is often a great deal of socializing and small talk before the meal, and the evening comes to an end quickly after the meal.

Watch your table manners!

. Eat only with the right hand.
. Meals are generally served family-style. Guests are served first. Then the oldest, continuing in some rough approximation of age order until the youngest is served.
. Honoured guests are often offered the most prized pieces or delicacies such as the sheep's head - so be prepared!
. Hospitality and generosity dictate showering guests with abundance. Comment on this.
. Leave some food on your plate when you have finished eating otherwise they will fill it with more.
. When the host stands, the meal is over.

Business Etiquette and Protocol in Kuwait

Relationships & Communication

. Since Kuwaitis prefer to do business with those with whom they have a personal relationship, they spend a great deal of time on the getting-to-know-you process.
. You must be patient since impatience is viewed as criticism of the culture.
. Kuwaitis judge on appearances so dress and present yourself well.
. They respect education, so carefully mention if you have an advanced degree, especially if it is from a prestigious university.

Business Meeting Etiquette

. Try to schedule meetings in the morning when meeting with government officials, since they are restricted to a 6-hour day.
. Many businessmen prefer to meet in the early evening.
. Do not try to schedule meetings in July and August as many Kuwaitis leave the country during the worst of the summer heat.
. Meetings may be interrupted if they interfere with prayer times.
. Meetings are generally not private unless there is a need to discuss matters confidentially.
. Expect frequent interruptions. Others may wander into the room and start a different discussion. You may join in, but do not try to bring the topic back to the original discussion until the new person leaves.

Business Negotiating

. Business will only be discussed once an atmosphere of trust and friendship has been established.
. Kuwaitis are event rather than time-driven. The event of getting together is more important than the timeliness of the meeting or the outcome.
. Kuwait is a hierarchical society. Many companies are structured around the family. Decisions usually come from the top after determining a consensus of the various stakeholders.
. Decisions are reached slowly. If you try to rush things, you will give offence and risk your business relationship.
. Kuwaitis are shrewd negotiators who are especially interested in price.
. Do not use high-pressure sales tactics. They will work against you.
. Repeating your main points indicates you are telling the truth.
. There is a tendency to avoid giving bad news and to give flowery acceptances, which may only mean "perhaps".
. Problems may be discussed outside the meeting in a one-on-one situation rather than in the group meeting room.
. If you change the lead negotiator, negotiations will need to start over.
. Proposals and contracts should be kept simple.
. Although negotiating is done in English, contracts are written in Arabic. If there is both an English and Arabic version, the Arabic will be the one followed.

Dress Etiquette

. Business attire is conservative.
. Men should wear lightweight, good quality, conservative suits, at least to the initial meeting.
. Women should avoid giving offence and refrain from wearing revealing or tight fitting clothing. Although they do not need to wear skirts that reach the ground, skirts should cover the knee and sleeves should cover the elbow and fasten at the neck.

Titles

. Titles are important. Use the honorific "Mister" and any academic or political title and the first name.
. Do not use only the first name until expressly invited to drop the titles.
. The title "Sheikh" denotes that someone is a member of the royal family. It is also used for old men.

Business Cards

. Business cards are given to everyone you meet.
. Have one side of your card translated into Arabic. Be sure to check the translation carefully as there is often confusion with the order of western names.

Friday, April 8, 2011

The Cultural Revolution

The Cultural Revolution had a massive impact on China from 1965 to 1968. The Cultural Revolution is the name given to Mao’s attempt to reassert his beliefs in China. Mao had been less than a dynamic leader from the late 1950’s on, and feared others in the party might be taking on a leading role that weakened his power within the party and the country. This probably explains the Cultural Revolution – it was an attempt by Mao to re-impose his authority on the party and therefore the country.

The movement began in September 1965 with a speech by Lin Piao who urged pupils in schools and colleges to return to the basic principles of the revolutionary movement. Chinese youths were also encouraged to openly criticise the liberals in the Chinese Communist Party and those apparently influenced by Nikita Khruschev of the USSR. Educational establishments were considered to be too academic and, therefore, too elitist.

Mao believed that the progress China had made since 1949 had lead to a privileged class developing – engineers, scientists, factory managers etc. Mao also believed that these people were acquiring too much power at his expense. Mao was concerned that a new class of mandarins was emerging in China who had no idea about the lifestyle of the normal person in China.

Red Guards (groups of youths who banded themselves together) encouraged all the youth in China to criticise those who Mao deemed untrustworthy with regards to the direction he wanted China to take. No-one was safe from criticism: writers, economists and anyone associated with the man Mao considered his main rival – Liu Shao-chi. Anyone who was deemed to have developed a superior attitude was considered an enemy of the party and people.

Mao deliberately set out to create a cult for himself and to purge the Chinese Communist Party of anyone who did not fully support Mao. His main selling point was a desire to create a China which had peasants, workers and educated people working together – no-one was better than anyone else and all working for the good of China – a classless society.

However, the enthusiasm of the Red Guards nearly pushed China into social turmoil. Schools and colleges were closed and the economy started to suffer. Groups of Red Guards fought Red Guards as each separate unit believed that it knew best how China should proceed. In some areas the activities of the Red Guard got out of hand. They turned their anger on foreigners and foreign embassies got attacked. The British Embassy was burned down completely.

The looming chaos was only checked when Zhou Enlai urged for a return to normality. He had been one of the leading members of the Chinese Communist Party to encourage all party members to submit themselves to criticism but he quickly realised that the experiment that was the Cultural Revolution had got out of hand and was spiralling out of control.

In October 1968, Liu Shao-chi was expelled from the party and this is generally seen by historians as the end of the Cultural Revolution. Mao had witnessed the removal of a potential rival in the party and therefore saw no need for the Cultural Revolution to continue.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Facts and Statistics

Location: southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia (that portion of Turkey west of the Bosporus is geographically part of Europe), bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Georgia, and bordering the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, between Greece and Syria

Capital: Ankara

Climate: temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior

Population: 68,893,918 (July 2004 est.)

Ethnic Make-up: Turkish 80%, Kurdish 20% (estimated)

Religions: Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews)

Government: republican parliamentary democracy

The Turkish Language

The official language, Turkish, is the first language spoken by 90% of the 63m population. Minority languages include Kurdish, spoken by 6% of the population. Arabic is spoken by 1.2% of the Turkish population; most of those speakers are bilingual Arabic and Turkish speakers. Other minority languages include Circassian, spoken by more than 0.09% throughout the country, Greek, Armenian and Judezmo, a Romance language spoken by Jews.

Why not learn some useful Turkish phrases?

Turkish Society and Culture

Islam

Islam is the religion of the majority of Turks although the state is fiercely secular. Islam emanated from what is today Saudi Arabia. The Prophet Muhammad is seen as the last of God's emissaries (following in the footsteps of Jesus, Moses, Abraham, etc) to bring revelation to mankind. He was distinguished with bringing a message for the whole of mankind, rather than just to a certain peoples. As Moses brought the Torah and Jesus the Bible, Muhammad brought the last book, the Quran. The Quran and the actions of the Prophet (the Sunnah) are used as the basis for all guidance in the religion.

Among certain obligations for Muslims are to pray five times a day - at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening. The exact time is listed in the local newspaper each day. Friday is the Muslim holy day although this is not practised in Turkey. However, most males will attend the congregational afternoon prayer. During the holy month of Ramazan all Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk. Fasting includes no eating, drinking, cigarette smoking, or gum chewing

Etiquette & Customs in Turkey

Meeting and Greeting EtiquetteEtiquette in Turkey

. When meeting shake hands firmly. When departing it is not always customary to shake hands although it is practised occasionally.
. Friends and relations would greet each other with either one or two kisses on the cheek. Elders are always respected by kissing their right hand then placing the forehead onto the hand.
. When entering a room, if you are not automatically met by someone greet the most elderly or most senior first. At social occasions greet the person closest to you then work your way around the room or table anti-clockwise.
. Greet people with either the Islamic greeting of 'Asalamu alaykum' (peace be upon you) or 'Nasilsiniz' (How are you? pronounced na-sul-su-nuz). Other useful phrases are 'Gunaydin' (Good Morning, pronounced goon-ay-dun), 'iyi gunler' (Good Day, pronounced ee-yee gun-ler) or 'Memnun Oldum' (pleased to meet you).

Gift Giving Etiquette

. Gift giving has no real place in business relationships or etiquette. Relationship building and the like will usually take the form of dining or sight seeing trips rather than lavish gifts.
. However, if a gift is given it will be accepted well. It is always a good idea to bring gifts from your own country such as food stuffs or craft items.
. Be aware that Turkey is a Muslim country. Before giving alcohol to anyone be 100% sure that they drink.
. The only time you would need to give any great thought to gifts would be if you were invited to a Turk's home for dinner. The most usual gifts to take are pastries, (especially 'baklava') and decorative items for the home such as ornaments or vases. Flowers are not usually taken to a host but can be if felt appropriate. It is best to ask a florist for advice on what is best to take. If the host has children take some expensive sweets or candy.

Dining Etiquette

. Most business entertaining will take place in restaurants. Turks enjoy food and the meal is a time for relaxing and engaging in some good conversation.
. The protocol of Turkish hospitality dictates that the host always pays for the meal. The concept of sharing a bill is completely alien. You may try and offer to pay, which may be seen as polite, but you would never be allowed to do so. The best policy is to graciously thank the host then a few days later invite them to do dinner at a restaurant of your choice. It may be a good idea to inform the restaurant manager that under no circumstances are they to accept payment from your guests.
. Evening meals may be accompanied by some alcohol, usually the local tipple called Raký (pronounced rak-uh). It will comprise of a few courses with the main course always meat or fish based, accompanied by bread and a salad.
. Turks smoke during meals and will often take breaks between courses to have a cigarette and a few drinks before moving onto the next. . Tea or Turkish coffee is served at the end of a meal sometimes with pastries. Turkish coffee is a national drink and should at least be sampled. It comes either without sugar, a little sugar or sweet. Turkish coffee is sipped and allowed to melt into the taste buds so do not gulp it down as you would instant coffee. Never drink to the bottom of the cup as it will be full of ground coffee and taste awful. Business Etiquette and Protocol

Relationships & Communication

. Turks prefer to do business with those they know and respect, therefore spend time establishing a personal relationship.
. Relationships are fostered in the office, over extended lunches, dinners, and social outings.
. Courtesy is crucial in all business dealings.
. Turks do not require as much personal space as many other cultures and will stand close to you while conversing.
. Do not back away, as this can be construed as unfriendly.
. Discussions may start slowly, with many questions that may seem irrelevant to the purpose of your visit. It is extremely rude to insist that your colleagues get to the point.
. Ask about his/her family without prying. Questions about children will be welcomed.
. The Turks are proud of their country and will enjoy answering questions on their culture and history although be sure to avoid political history.
. Most Turkish men love football (soccer) and usually support one of three teams: Galatasaray, Beþiktaþ or Fenerbahçe. Asking after their team's recent fortunes will always produce lively and animate responses.
. Once a relationship has been established, communication is direct.
. It is vital that you maintain eye contact while speaking since Turks take this as a sign of sincerity.

Business Meeting Etiquette

. Appointments are necessary and should be made 1 to 2 weeks in advance, preferably by telephone.
. Many Turks take vacation during July or August, so it is best not to try to schedule appointments at that time.
. It is also not a good idea to schedule meetings during Ramazan (Ramadan).
. Punctuality is expected although you should be prepared to be kept waiting.
. First appointments are more social- than business-oriented since Turks prefer to do business with people they know.
. Small talk helps establish a rapport. Do not immediately begin discussing business.
. Have all printed material available in both English and Turkish.
. Presentations should be well thought-out, thorough, and backed up with visual aids such as maps, chart and graphs.

Business Negotiation Etiquette

. Always come to Turkey knowing two things. Your success is defined by your ability to build effective personal relationships combined with a clearly outlined and well presented proposal.
. Business is personal. Although this is changing with the influx of big multi-nationals and a more corporate culture in some of the larger companies, many businesses are still family owned and run.

. Turks will want to do business with those they like, trust, feel comfortable with and with those that can provide a long term relationship. If they feel you are hiding something or there is an element of suspicion about your motives you may not get very far.
. Building a relationship with your Turkish counterpart(s) is therefore critical. The first meeting at least should be solely focused on getting to know each other. Once a relationship has been established you can safely move on to business matters.
. As well as looking to the person, Turks are also astute business people. Ensure your proposal clearly demonstrates the mutual benefit and profitability of any agreement or partnership.
. Turks are primarily oral and visual communicators so in addition to written statistics, projections and the like try to present information vocally or with maps, graphs and charts.
. Decision making can be slow. It is most likely that you will meet and negotiate with less senior members of a family first. Once you are seen as trustworthy and your proposal financially viable you will then move on to meet more senior members. A decision is ultimately made by the head of the family/company.
. When negotiating, the Turks will start at extremes in order to gage your response. Prior to negotiations know your target figure and work slowly towards it through meaningful concessions. When conceding ensure you present this as a favour and a decision made out of respect and liking for your counterpart(s). Try and concede only once you have gained agreement on a reciprocal concession on a separate or related issue.
. Do not use deadlines or pressure tactics as the Turks will use this to their advantage and reverse the tactic by threatening to cancel agreements or end negotiations. Be patient.
. It may not always be necessary to focus on financial benefits when negotiating. It is just as useful to point to areas such as power, influence, honour, respect and other non-monetary incentives.

Business Dress Etiquette

. Business dress is conservative. You will be expected to wear a suit and tie. Similarly women should wear smart professional outfits.
. In the summer, and especially in the cities of Istanbul, Izmir and Anakara the weather is very hot and humid. It is acceptable to just wear a shirt with trousers and in most cases to not wear a tie.
. Outside the big cities and especially in the East of Turkey both women and men should wear more conservative clothing. Women are advised to refrain from exposing their legs and arms and to ensure clothes are not tight-fitting. Men should not wear shorts.

Naming Conventions

. When addressing a Turk the most common method is to call a man by his first name followed by 'bey' (pronounced bay). So, Ertan Gonca, would be Ertan Bey. Similarly a woman's first name would be followed by 'hanim' (pronounced ha-num).
. Where professional titles exist such as Doctor or Professor, always use them either on their own of before the first name. Curiously this is also the case with many other professions such as lawyers 'Avukat' or engineers 'Muhendis'. Within Turkish companies and organisations senior ranking staff will be addressed accordingly. A common example is Mr. Manager, 'Mudur Bey'.
. A common phrase you will hear Turks using is 'efendim' (literally 'my master'). You may hear this from a waiter, a secretary, taxi driver, doorman, shop staff and many others. It is simply a polite way of addressing people you are not familiar with.

Business Card Etiquette

. Business cards are exchanged without formal ritual.
. Use both hands to exchange cards.
. Present your business card to the receptionist when you arrive.
. Have one side of your business card translated into Turkish. Although not a business necessity, it will impress your business colleagues.
. Quite often Turks do not give their business card unless they are certain that they wish to establish a business relationship.

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