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Saturday, September 24, 2011

Facts and Statistics

Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama

Capital: Bogota

Population: 42,954,279 (July 2005 est.)

Ethnic Groups: mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1%

Religion: Roman Catholic 90%, other 10%

Language in Colombia

The official language of Colombia is Spanish and spoken by around 43 million people. In addition there are approximately 500,000 speakers of American Indian languages.

Colombian Society & Culture

CatholicismMap of Colombia

* Most Colombians would consider themselves to be Roman Catholics.
* The Church has historically been a very important influence over personal affairs such as marriage and family life.
* The parish church is often seen as the centre of a community, with the local priest representing divine authority and leadership.
* The church also has some influence in areas such as education, social welfare and union organization.

The Role of the Family

* The family takes centre stage in the social structure.
* It acts as a source of support and advice and therefore great loyalty is shown to families. Although extended families rarely live under one roof, apart from in rural areas, many are still live very close and frequent one another's houses often.
* It is still common for children remain at home until they marry.
* The elderly are generally revered for their age and experience.

Hierarchies

* Colombia can be termed a hierarchical society.
* People earn respect due to age and position.
* Older people are naturally perceived as being wise and as a result are afforded great respect. You will always see the oldest person in a group served their food and drinks first.
* With this position also comes responsibility - Colombians expect the most senior person, whether at home or at work, to make decisions.

Etiquette and Customs in Colombia

Meeting and Greeting

* Men shake hands with direct eye contact.
* While shaking hands, use the appropriate greeting for the time of day: "buenos dias" (good day), "buenas tardes" (good afternoon), or "buenas noches" (good evening/night). Women often grasp forearms rather than shaking hands.
* Once a friendship has developed, greetings become warmer and a lot more hands on - men will embrace and pat each other on the shoulder (known as an "abrazo") and women kiss once on the right cheek.
* Most Colombians have both a maternal and paternal surname and will use both.
* The father's surname is listed first and is the one used in conversation.
* Always refer to people by the appropriate honorific title and their surname.

Gift Giving Etiquette

Gifts are given for birthdays and Christmas or the Epiphany (January 6th). In Colombia a girl's 15th birthday is considered an important milestone.

If you plan to give gifts in Colombia, here are some handy tips:

* When going to a Colombian's home, bring fruit, a potted plant, or quality chocolates for the hostess.
* Flowers should be sent in advance.
* Do not give lilies or marigolds as they are used at funerals. Roses are liked.
* If you are going to a girls 15th birthday, gold is the usual gift.
* Imported alcohol (especially spirits) are very expensive and make excellent gifts.
* Wrapped gifts are not opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

Dining etiquette is quite formal in Colombia as they tend to give importance to decorum and presentation.

Below are some basic tips - if you are ever unsure the general rule is "observe and follow":

* Wait to be seated by the host.
* Hands should be kept visible when eating.
* Do not rest elbows on the table.
* The host will say "buen provecho" (enjoy or have a good meal) as an invitation to start eating.
* It is polite to try everything you are given.
* Unusually all food is eaten with utensils - even fruit is cut into pieces with a knife and fork.
* It is considered polite to leave a small amount of food on your plate when you have finished eating.
* Do not use a toothpick at the table.

Business Etiquette and Protocol in Colombia

Meeting and GreetingEtiquette in Colombia

* It is courteous to shake hands both upon meeting and departing.
* Men should wait for a woman to extend her hand.
* Greetings should take some time - ensure you engage in some small talk, i.e. ask about family, health and business.
* Eye contact is viewed positively.
* Wait for the other party to initiate a change to first names.

Business Cards

* It is a good idea to try and have one side of your business card translated into Spanish.
* Include any university degrees or qualifications as this is valued.
* Treat business cards with respect.

Business Meetings

* Although there may be an agenda, meetings do not always follow a linear path.
* An agenda will serve as a starting point and after that issues are addressed as an when.
* Relationship building is crucial - it may be a good idea to invest time in establishing trust for the first few meetings.
* Time is not an issue in meetings - they will last as long as they need to last. Do not try and rush proceedings.
* Colombians are termed as 'indirect communicators' - this means there is more information within body language and context rather than the words, i.e. if you ask someone to do something and they reply 'I will have to see', it would be up to you to read between the lines and realise that they can not do it.
* The reason for this way of communicating it to protect relationships and face.
* This means people that are used to speaking directly and openly must tame their communication style as it could cause offense.
* Although they can be indirect, Colombians can also become very animated. This should not be mistaken for aggression.
* Avoid confrontation at all cost. If someone has made a mistake do not expose it publicly as this will lead to a loss of face and a ruined relationship.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Facts and Statistics

Location: North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico

Capital: Washington, DC

Climate: mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida, arctic in Alaska, semiarid in the great plains west of the Mississippi River, and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest.

Population: 301,139,947 (July 2007 est.)

Ethnic Make-up: white 81.7%, black 12.9%, Asian 4.2%, Amerindian and Alaska native 1%, native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.2% (2003 est.)

Religions: Protestant 52%, Roman Catholic 24%, Mormon 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 1%, other 10%, none 10% (2002 est.)

Government: Constitution-based federal republic

Language in the USA

The United States does not have an official language, but English is spoken by about 82% of the population as a native language. The variety of English spoken in the United States is known as American English; together with Canadian English it makes up the group of dialects known as North American English. Spanish is the second-most common language in the country, spoken by almost 30 million people (or 12% of the population).

American Society and Culture

Diversity

America is ultimately a nation of immigrants and as a result is a cultural mish-mash in every sense of the word. Not only is the country populated by people from foreign countries but all Americans in one way or another trace their ancestry back to another culture, whether Irish, German, Italian or Scottish. Looking around any major city one will notice the ‘melting-pot’ that it is.

Informal and Friendly

Most people who come to the United States may already know a few things about the people through TV. Although this is of course a skewed reality some of the stereotypes are true, especially American friendliness and informality. People tend to not wait to be introduced, will begin to speak with strangers as they stand in a queue, sit next to each other at an event, etc. Visitors can often be surprised when people are so informal to the point of being very direct or even rude.

Time is Money

The country that coined the phrase obviously lives the phrase. In America, time is a very important commodity. People 'save' time and 'spend' time as if it were money in the bank. Americans ascribe personality characteristics and values based on how people use time. For example, people who are on-time are considered to be good people, reliable people who others can count on.

The Family

The family unit is generally considered the nuclear family, and is typically small (with exceptions among certain ethnic groups). Extended family relatives live in their own homes, often at great distances from their children.

Individualism is prized, and this is reflected in the family unit. People are proud of their individual accomplishments, initiative and success, and may, or may not, share those sources of pride with their elders.  

Customs and Etiquette in the U.S.A

Meeting and Greeting

  • Greetings are casual.
  • A handshake, a smile, and a 'hello' are all that is needed.
  • Smile!
  • Use first names, and be sure to introduce everyone to each other.

Gift Giving Etiquette

  • In general, Americans give gifts for birthdays, anniversaries and major holidays, such as Christmas.
  • A gift can be as simple as a card and personal note to something more elaborate for a person with whom you are close.
  • Gift giving is not an elaborate event, except at Christmas.
  • When invited to someone's home for dinner, it is polite to bring a small box of good chocolates, a bottle of wine, a potted plant or flowers for the hostess.
  • Gifts are normally opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

  • Americans socialise in their homes and ‘backyards’, in restaurants and in other public places.
  • It's not at all unusual for social events to be as casual as a backyard barbecue or a picnic in the park.
  • Arrive on time if invited for dinner; no more than 10 minutes later than invited to a small gathering. If it is a large party, it is acceptable to arrive up to 30 minutes later than invited.
  • Table manners are more relaxed in the U.S. than in many other countries.
  • The fork is held in the right hand and is used for eating. The fork is held tines down. The knife is used to cut or spread something. To use the knife, the fork is switched to the left hand. To continue eating, the fork is switched back to the right hand.
  • If you have not finished eating, cross your knife and fork on your plate with the fork over the knife. Indicate you have finished eating by laying your knife and fork parallel across the right side of your plate.
  • If you are more comfortable eating in the Continental manner, go ahead. It will not offend anyone.
  • Feel free to refuse specific foods or drinks without offering an explanation.
  • Many foods are eaten by hand.
  • Food is often served family-style, which means that it is in large serving dishes and passed around the table for everyone to serve themselves.
  • Do not begin eating until the hostess starts or says to begin.
  • Remain standing until invited to sit down.
  • Do not rest your elbows on the table.
  • Put your napkin in your lap as soon as you sit down.
  • Leave a small amount of food on your plate when you have finished eating.

Business Etiquette and Protocol


Business Dress

  • What is considered appropriate business attire varies by geographic region, day of the week and industry.
  • In general, people in the East dress more formally, while people in the West are known for being a bit more casual.
  • Executives usually dress formally regardless of which part of the country they are in.
  • Casual Friday is common in many companies. High technology companies often wear casual clothes every day.
  • For an initial meeting, dressing conservatively is always in good taste. Women can wear business suits, dresses or pantsuits. Men should wear a business suit unless you know the firm to be quite casual.

Greetings

  • The hand shake is the common greeting.
  • Handshakes are firm, brief and confident.
  • Maintain eye contact during the greeting.
  • In most situations, you can begin calling people by their first names.
  • Most people will insist that you call them by their nickname, if they have one.
  • In formal circumstances, you may want to use titles and surnames as a courtesy until you are invited to move to a first name basis, which will happen quickly.
  • Business cards are exchanged without formal ritual.
  • It is quite common for the recipient to put your card in their wallet, which may then go in the back pocket of their trousers. This is not an insult.

Communication Styles

Americans are direct. They value logic and linear thinking and expect people to speak clearly and in a straightforward manner. To them if you don’t “tell it how it is” you simply waste time, and time is money. If you are from a culture that is more subtle in communication style, try not to be insulted by the directness. Try to get to your point more quickly and don’t be afraid to be more direct and honest than you are used to. Americans will use the telephone to conduct business that would require a face-to-face meeting in most other countries. They do not insist upon seeing or getting to know the people with whom they do business.

Business Meetings

Arrive on time for meetings since time and punctuality are so important to Americans. In the Northeast and Midwest, people are extremely punctual and view it as a sign of disrespect for someone to be late for a meeting or appointment. In the Southern and Western states, people may be a little more relaxed, but to be safe, always arrive on time, although you may have to wait a little before your meeting begins.

Meetings may appear relaxed, but they are taken quite seriously. If there is an agenda, it will be followed. At the conclusion of the meeting, there will be a summary of what was decided, a list of who will implement which facets and a list of the next steps to be taken and by whom. If you make a presentation, it should be direct and to the point. Visual aids should further enhance your case. Use statistics to back up your claims, since Americans are impressed by hard data and evidence.

With the emphasis on controlling time, business is conducted rapidly. Expect very little small talk before getting down to business. It is common to attempt to reach an oral agreement at the first meeting. The emphasis is on getting a contract signed rather than building a relationship. The relationship may develop once the first contract has been signed.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Facts and Statistics

Location: The Middle East, bordering Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km

Capital: Riyadh

Climate: harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes

Population: 25,795,938 including 5,576,076 non-nationals (July 2004 est.)

Ethnic Make-up: Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%

Religions: Muslim 100%

Government: monarchy

Language in Saudi Arabia

Arabic is the official language of Saudi Arabia, but English is widely spoken. It is used in business and is a compulsory second language in schools. Among the non-Saudi population, many people speak Urdu, the official language of Pakistan, and other Asian languages such as Farsi and Turkish.

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 Saudi, there are differences between the dialects spoken in urban areas and those spoken in rural areas.

Saudi Society & Culture

Islam

Islam is practised by all Saudis and governs their personal, political, economic and legal lives. Islam was born in Saudi Arabia and thus is visited by millions of Muslims every year. 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.

Family Values

. The family and tribe are the basis of the social structure.
. As is seen in their naming conventions, Saudis are cognizant of their heritage, their clan, and their extended family, as well as their nuclear family.
. Saudis take their responsibilities to their family quite seriously.
. Families tend to be large and the extended family is quite close.
. The individual derives a social network and assistance in times of need from the family.
. Nepotism is considered a good thing, since it implies that employing people one knows and trusts is of primary importance.

Etiquette and Customs in Saudi

Meeting EtiquetteMap of Saudi Arabia

. Men shake hands. Good friends may greet each other with a handshake and a kiss on each cheek.
. Women generally hug and kiss close friends.
. Men and women would not greet each other in public I from outside the family.
. When Saudis greet each other they take their time and converse about general things.

Gift Giving Etiquette

Gifts are not the norm as in many other countries.

. If you are invited to a Saudi's house bring something small as a thank you.
. Flowers do not make good gifts from a man, although a woman could give them to her hostess.
. Never give alcohol unless you are positive they partake.
. Gifts are not opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

. Saudis socialize primarily in restaurants and international hotels when entertaining expatriates whom they do not know well. After some time you will be invited to the home.
. Entertainment will generally be same-sex only. If both sexes are included, they will be in separate rooms.

If you are invited to a Saudi's house:

. You would usually remove your shoes.
. Dress conservatively.
. Try to arrive at the invited time. Punctuality is appreciated but not crucial.
. Show respect for the elders by greeting them first.
. Accept the offer of Arabian coffee and dates even if you do not normally drink coffee.
. If you are invited for a meal, understand that there will be a great deal of socializing and small talk before the meal is served.

Table manners

. If the meal is on the floor, sit cross-legged or kneel on one knee..
. Eat only with the right hand as the left is considered unclean.
. Try a bit of everything that is served.
. Meals are generally served family-style.
. Honoured guests are often offered the most prized pieces such as a sheep's head so be prepared!
. There is often more food than you can eat. Part of Saudi hospitality and generosity is to shower guests with abundance.
. There is little conversation during meals so that diners may relish the food.

Business Etiquette and Protocol

Relationships & Communication

. You will need a Saudi sponsor (wakeel) to enter the country. The sponsor acts as an intermediary and arranges appointments with appropriate individuals.
. Saudis 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.
. Saudis 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 be patient.
. Since Saudis will most likely judge you on appearances, dress and present yourself well.

Business Meeting Etiquette

. Appointments are necessary and should be made several weeks to one month in advance if at all possible.
. When meeting with government officials, a firm date will not be settled upon until you are physically in the country.
. Try to schedule meetings in the morning.
. You should arrive at meetings on time, although it is an accepted custom to keep foreigners waiting.
. It is not uncommon to have a meeting cancelled once you arrive.
. Meetings are generally not private until after a relationship of trust has been developed. This means you may 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 meetings start after prolonged inquiries about health, family, etc. Never inquire about a Saudi's wife.

Business Negotiating

. Decisions are made slowly. Do not try to rush the process.
. The society is extremely bureaucratic. Most decisions require several layers of approval. It takes several visits to accomplish simple tasks.
. Saudis are tough negotiators.
. Business is hierarchical. Decisions are made by the highest-ranking person.
. Repeat your main points since it will be interpreted as meaning you are telling the truth.
. Do not use high-pressure tactics.
. Decisions are easily overturned.
. When discussing price, Saudis will often make an initial offer that is extremely low when they are buying. Conversely, when they are selling, their initial offer will be extremely high.
. You may need to compromise on a point if someone's dignity is at stake.
. There is a tendency to avoid giving bad news and to give effusive acceptances, which may only mean 'perhaps'.

Dress Etiquette

. Most Saudis wear long white thobes. You would be expected to wear a suit.
. Dress well if you want to make a good impression.
. Business women should make certain that their collarbones and knees are covered and that their clothes are not form-fitting.

Business Cards

. Business cards are given to everyone you meet, although it may be an idea to be selective if you have few in your possession.
. 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, September 2, 2011

Facts and Statistics

Location: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, between Belize and the US and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and the US

Capital: Mexico City

Climate: varies from tropical to desert

Population: 104,959,594 (July 2004 est.)

Ethnic Make-up: mestizo (Amerindian-Spanish) 60%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian 30%, white 9%, other 1%

Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 6%, other 5%

Government: federal republic

Language in Mexico

Spanish control of Mexico led to the dominance of Spanish, the official language. As many as 100 Native American languages are still spoken in Mexico, but no single alternative language prevails. Eighty percent of those Mexicans who speak an indigenous language also speak Spanish. The most important of the Native American languages is Nahuatl. It is the primary language of more than a million Mexicans and is spoken by nearly one-fourth of all Native Americans in the country. This is followed by Maya, used by 14 percent of Native Americans, and Mixteco and Zapoteco, each spoken by about seven percent of Native Americans. No other indigenous language is spoken by more than five percent of Mexico's Native Americans.

Why not learn some useful Spanish phrases?

Mexican Society & Culture

Mexican Family Values Mexico Etiquette

. The family is at the centre of the social structure.
. Outside of the major cosmopolitan cities, families are still generally large.
. The extended family is as important as the nuclear family since it provides a sense of stability.
. Mexicans consider it their duty and responsibility to help family members. For example, the will help find employment or finance a house or other large purchase.
. Most Mexican families are extremely traditional, with the father as the head, the authority figure and the decision-maker.
. Mothers are greatly revered, but their role may be seen as secondary to that of their husband.

Hierarchical Society

. Mexican society and business are highly stratified and vertically structured.
. Mexicans emphasize hierarchical relationships.
. People respect authority and look to those above them for guidance and decision-making.
. Rank is important, and those above you in rank must always be treated with respect.
. This makes it important to know which person is in charge, and leads to an authoritarian approach to decision-making and problem- solving.
. Mexicans are very aware of how each individual fits into each hierarchy--be it family, friends or business.
. It would be disrespectful to break the chain of hierarchy.

'Machismo'

. Machismo literally means 'masculinity'.
. There are different outward behaviours to display machismo.
. For example, making remarks to women is a stereotypical sign of machismo and should not be seen as harassment.
. Mexican males generally believe that nothing must be allowed to tarnish their image as a man. Etiquette & Customs in Mexico

Meeting Etiquette

. When greeting in social situations, women pat each other on the right forearm or shoulder, rather than shake hands
. Men shake hands until they know someone well, at which time they progress to the more traditional hug and back slapping.
. Wait until invited before using a Mexican's first name

Gift Giving Etiquette

. If invited to a Mexican's house, bring a gift such as flowers or sweets.
. Gift wrapping does not follow any particular protocol.
. Do not give marigolds as they symbolize death.
. Do not give red flowers as they have a negative connotation.
. White flowers are a good gift as they are considered uplifting.
. Gifts are opened immediately.
. If you receive a gift, open it and react enthusiastically.

Dining Etiquette

If you are invited to a Mexican's home:

. Arrive 30 minutes late in most places (check with colleagues to see if you should arrive later than that).
. Arriving on time or early is considered inappropriate.
. At a large party you may introduce yourself.
. At a smaller gathering the host usually handles the introductions. 

Watch your table manners!

. Always keep your hands visible when eating. Keep your wrists resting on the edge of the table.
. When you have finished eating, place your knife and fork across your plate with the prongs facing down and the handles facing to the right.
. Do not sit down until you are invited to and told where to sit.
. Do not begin eating until the hostess starts.
. Only men give toasts.
. It is polite to leave some food on your plate after a meal.

Business Etiquette and Protocol in Mexico

Relationships & Communication

. The right connections facilitate business success.
. You will be judged by the person who introduces you and changing this first impression is nearly impossible.
. Since the initial meeting is generally with someone of high stature, it is important that your delegation include an upper-level executive.
. After the initial getting-to-know-you meeting, the senior executive may not attend meetings or be visible.
. This indicates you are now getting down to business and they are no longer needed to smooth the introduction.
. Demonstrating trustworthiness, sincerity, and integrity are crucial to building relationships.
. Expect to answer questions about your personal background, family and life interests.

Business Meeting Etiquette

. Business appointments are required and should be made at least 2 weeks in advance. Reconfirm the appointment one week before the meeting.
. Reconfirm the meeting again once you arrive in Mexico and make sure that the secretary of the person you will be meeting knows how to contact you.
. It is important that you arrive on time for meetings, although your Mexican business associates may be up to 30 minutes late.
. Do not appear irritated if this occurs as people often run behind schedule.
. Meetings may be postponed with little advance warning.
. Initial meetings are formal.
. Have all written material available in both English and Spanish.
. Agendas are not common. If they are given, they are not always followed.

Business Negotiation

. Since Mexicans are status conscious, you should always have someone on your negotiating team who is an executive.
. If you do not speak Spanish, hire an interpreter.
. It will take several meetings to come to an agreement.
. Face-to-face meetings are preferred over telephone, letters or email.
. Negotiations and decisions take a long time. You must be patient.
. Deadlines are seen as flexible and fluid, much like time itself.
. Negotiations will include a fair amount of haggling. Do not give your best offer first.
. Do not include an attorney on your negotiating team.

Business Dress

. Dress as you would in Europe.
. Men should wear conservative, dark coloured suits.
. Women should wear business suits or conservative dresses.

Business Cards

. Business cards are exchanged during introductions with everyone at a meeting.
. It is advisable to have one side of your business card in Spanish.
. Business cards should contain both your professional and educational qualifications.
. Present your business card with the Spanish side facing the recipient.

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