Nguyen Duy Mong Ha, PhD.

Email: ndmongha@gmail.com
 1-Review of

• British culture & customs

ØPoliteness
ØSocial behaviors
ØMeal times & table manners
• Love of queuing, like forming queues
• Survey in 1992: waiting in supermarkets 3
minutes 23 seconds, banks 2 minutes 33
seconds
• Not patient, want to wait within 2 minutes
• Talk quietly in the public places
 DOs in Britain
• Do stand in line
• Do take your hat off when you go indoors
(men only)
• Do say "Excuse Me"
• Do say "Please" and "Thank you“, “sorry”
• Do cover your Mouth
• Do Shake Hands
• Do open doors for other people
 DON’Ts in Britain
• Do not greet people with a kiss
• Avoid talking loudly in public
• impolite to stare at anyone in public
• Do not ask a lady her age
• Do not pick your nose in public
• Avoid doing gestures such as backslapping and
hugging
• It is impolite speak with your mouth full of food
• Do not ask personal or intimate questions
• Never eat off a knife when having a meal.
• You should arrive:
Ø At the exact time specified – for dinner, lunch, or
appointments with professors, doctors, and other
professionals.
Ø Any time during the hours specified for teas, receptions,
and cocktail parties.
Ø A few minutes early: for public meetings, plays, concerts,
movies, sporting events, classes, church services, and
weddings.
• If you are invited to someone's house for dinner at
half past seven, they will expect you to be there on
the dot.
• An invitation might state "7.30 for 8", in which case
you should arrive no later than 7.50.
• If an invitation says "sharp", you must arrive in plenty
of time.
• “ Drop in anytime” and “come see me soon” are idioms often
used in social settings but seldom meant to be taken literally.
It is wise to telephone before visiting someone at home.
• Receive a written invitation to an event that says “RSVP”:
should respond (whether or not you plan to attend)
• Never accept an invitation unless you really plan to go.
• You may refuse, “Thank you for inviting me, but I will not be
able to come.” If, after accepting, you are unable to attend, be
sure to tell those expecting you as far in advance as possible
that you will not be there.
• Although it is not necessarily expected that you give a gift to
your host, it is considered polite to do so, especially if you
have been invited for a meal (Flowers, chocolate, or a small
gift are all appropriate)
• A thank-you note or telephone call after the visit is also
considered polite and is an appropriate means to express your
appreciation for the invitation.
• Everyday dress is appropriate for most visits to
peoples' homes.
• You may want to dress more formally when attending
a holiday dinner or cultural event, such as a concert
or theatre performance.
• It is proper to shake hands with everyone to whom
you are introduced, both men and women.
• An appropriate response to an introduction is
"Pleased to meet you".
• If you want to introduce yourself to someone, extend
you hand for a handshake and say "Hello, I am....“
• Hugging is only for (close) friends
• Good Luck:
– Lucky to meet a black cat
– Lucky to touch wood
– Lucky to find a clover plant with four leaves.
– A right way up horseshoe over the door brings good luck (like a “U”)
– Catch falling leaves in Autumn and you're have good luck.
• Bad Luck:
– Unlucky to walk underneath a ladder
– Seven years bad luck to break a mirror
– Unlucky to see one magpie, lucky to see two, etc.
– Unlucky to spill salt. If you do, you must throw it over your shoulder to
counteract the bad luck
– Unlucky to open an umbrella in doors.
– The number thirteen is unlucky
• Friday the thirteenth is a double unlucky day because Jesus was
crucified on a Friday.
– Unlucky to put new shoes on the table
– Unlucky to pass someone on the stairs
• Most people in the UK • Light, quick lunch (sandwich,
don’t eat a ‘full English’ soup or salad: 12 - 2pm)
every day • Lots of cafés and restaurants
• Brunch, a meal that do special lunch deals, (‘meal
covers breakfast and deals’ in supermarkets: a
lunch together drink, a sandwich and a bag
• On a working day, most of crisps at a discount)
people eat cereal with • Sunday lunch/'Sunday roast'
milk, toast with jam or (classic), big meal at the
honey, or porridge (a weekend, as late as 5pm
bowl of hot oats • ‘Packed lunch‘: sandwich, a
cooked in milk) packet of crisps, fruit and a
drink (in a plastic container)
 Dinner-supper & Tea
• ‘Dinner’ (6pm - 9pm), • Tea: classic British drink,
with their family or also an afternoon snack
friends.
• ‘Afternoon tea’, in
• Supper (a bit later, ‘tearooms’: a pot of tea
between 7.30pm and
9pm): normally home- with a selection of small
cooked, old-fashioned sandwiches, pastries, cakes
word now (most young • A ‘cream tea’– sweet bread
people would have rolls, served with butter,
‘dinner’ instead) jam and a very thick cream
called clotted cream
• ‘tea’ = ‘dinner’: in northern
parts of England
 Food
• Traditional English Breakfast
(Full English)
– eggs, bacon, sausages, fried
bread, baked beans and
mushrooms
• Traditional English Dinner
– meat and 2 vegetables with
hot brown gravy
• Sunday Roast Dinner
– roast meat, two vegetables
and potatoes with a Yorkshire
pudding Lunch – dinner (the main meal)
Dinner – tea, supper
 Normal dinner & Christmas dinner
Normal dinner: Meat and 2
vegetables with hot brown gravy Christmas dinner
• A lot of attention to good • In a restaurant, it is
table manners: Even young normal to pay for your
children are expected to eat
food by putting your
properly with knife and fork
(most food with cutlery, money on the plate the
except sandwiches, crisps, bill comes on
corn on the cob, and fruit)
• When you have finished
eating, and to let others know
that you have, place your knife
and folk together, with the
prongs (tines) on the fork
facing upwards, on your plate
• If you cannot eat a certain type of food or have some special
needs, tell your host several days before the dinner party.
• If you are a guest, it is polite to wait until your host starts
eating or indicates you should do so.
• Always chew and swallow all the food in your mouth before
taking more or taking a drink. Say thank you when served
something
• You may eat chicken and pizza with your fingers if you are at a
barbecue, finger buffet or very informal setting. Otherwise
always use a knife and fork.
• When eating rolls, break off a piece of bread before
buttering.
• It is ok to pour your own drink when eating with other
people, but it is more polite to offer pouring drinks to the
people sitting on either side of you
 Things you should not do in Britain
• Never lick or put your knife in your mouth.
• Never chew with your mouth open. No one wants to see food
being chewed or hearing it being chomped on.
• It is impolite to have your elbows on the table while you are
eating.
• Don't reach over someone's plate for something, ask for the
item to be passed.
• Never talk with food in your mouth. It is impolite to put too
much food in your mouth.
• Never use your fingers to push food onto your spoon or fork.
• It is impolite to slurp your food or eat noisily.
• Never blow your nose on a napkin (serviette). Napkins are for
dabbing your lips and only for that.
• Never take food from your neighbours plate.
• Never pick food out of your teeth with your fingernails.
 Homework: comparison
Vnese culture & customs British culture & customs
ØPoliteness ØPoliteness
ØSocial behaviors Ø Social behaviors
ØMeal times, food ØMeal times, food
& drinks & drinks
ØTable manners ØTable manners
http://www.mapofworld.com/australia/australia-
culture/australia-business-culture.html
• Less talkative & less demonstrative than US
counterparts
• Regard silence as golden
• Employ understatement
• Penchant for vigorous argument
• Direct, frank & straightforward
• Informality & egalitarianism
• Time-conscious but relaxed attitude
• Less physical contact, more eye contact, queuing
2-Review of American culture
Major US cities
 2.1. The dominant culture

• The White
• Anglo-Saxon
• Protestant
(WASPs = White Anglo-Saxon Protestants: 75%
of the population in the early America)
Looked for individual freedom, equality of
opportunity, higher material standard of living
 Brainstorming
Opportunity to get rich

freedom

Family
reunion

Reasons for Women’s lib

coming to
the US
Travelling,
environment

employment

Social welfare, legal

system Education &
health care
 American core values

1. Individual freedom
2. Equality of opportunity • Self-reliance
3. Material wealth • Competition
• Hard work
 Individual freedom in the family
• Emphasis on individual freedom: happiness of
individual members
• Family name & honor: less important
• No / little control by family members: independent
decisions
• Marriage & divorce: very few arrangement
• Companionship: important, no-fault divorce
• Role of child: working parents less time
• Equality in the family: democratic idea (decline in
parents authority+ chidren‘s repect for them) teach
children Independence & self-reliance
• Husband & wife share responsibilities:
housework, child care,...(educated couples)
• Senior citizens: young old (65-75) old old (over
75)
• Househusband: temporary
• Generation gaps, teenager problems, adoption
• Young people: conservative in some issues
(drugs, crime, environment,...) but liberal in
others (abortion,...)
• Women: more go to college & qualified, work
outside the home
• Americans are often very informal in both their dress
and interactions with others.
• People frequently call each other by their first names,
which should not be seen as a lack of respect.
• You may call persons your own age and your
colleagues by their first names.
• It is best, however, to address professors and older
persons with their title (Dr., Professor, Mr., Mrs., or
Ms.) unless they ask you to do otherwise
(http://www.philau.edu/internationalservices/culture.ht
ml )
• Time orientation: Time is money
Ø To Americans, time is valuable and must be used
carefully and productively
Ø Americans expect promptness or “being on time” in
both academic and social settings. Punctuality is
very important, and it is considered rude to be late.
Ø It is acceptable and appreciated to show up 5-10
minutes early for appointments. Classes, meetings,
and appointments generally start within a few
minutes of their set time.
Ø Promptness-oriented culture (careful planning,
rigid commitment to plans)
Ø Fast-paced, busy life
• Work orientation: Americans place a high value on hard work; they judge people
by how hard they work and how task oriented they are. Some believe that people
achieve results on the basis of how hard they work.
• Achievement orientation: A very high value is placed on a person’s
accomplishments and productivity. Individuals evaluate themselves and are
evaluated by others in terms of their achievements and accomplishments.
• Individualism: American culture places more emphasis on individual freedom
and an individual's responsibility to manage their own lives, make their own
decisions and accomplish their own goals rather than as a group.
• Direct communication and problem solving: A strong value is placed on direct
and straightforward communication. When problems arise between individuals,
Americans prefer to discuss them openly and solve them. Americans may say
“yes” or “no” to questions even if the answer might hurt someone’s feelings.
• Pragmatism: Americans are very practical and like ideas that are seen as
“useful.” This goes together with the orientation toward work and achievement.
You must be able to relate “theory” to “practice.”
(https://wmich.edu/internationaladmissions/handbook/culture )
• 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.
(http://www.commisceo-global.com/country-guides/usa-
guide )
• Unlike many other cultures, Americans tend to
stand about two or three feet apart when talking
to one another, and often feel crowded when
closer.
• If a person feels uncomfortable, he or she may
move away to create more distance. This should
not be seen as a sign of rudeness, as they are just
re-establishing their personal space.
• Americans also like to make eye contact when
talking to each other.
• Dating is prevalent in the US, often beginning in the early
teenage years (going to movies, dinner, or to sporting events)
• Dating in the U.S. is more casual than in some other parts of
the world. While a man and a woman may go on several
dates, this does not indicate any serious commitment, unless
they decide they will only date each other.
• It is not uncommon for the woman to pay or for the man and
woman to share the cost of the date. Nor is it very unusual
for a woman to invite a man for a date or to initiate a get-
together.
• When dating, do not allow yourself to be pressured into
engaging in any intimate act that you are uncomfortable with.
Be clear about what you consider appropriate and
inappropriate behavior.
(http://www.philau.edu/internationalservices/culture.html)
 Friendships
• While Americans are very friendly, it may be
difficult to develop a close personal relationship
with them.
• Americans have many casual acquaintances, but
very few close friends.
• The more people you meet, the more likely you
will find someone who will become a close
friend.
• Becoming a member of a club or organization on
or off campus is a good way to meet others.
(http://www.philau.edu/internationalservices/cultu
re.html )
• When meeting someone for the first time, Americans usually
shake hands and say "Hi," "Pleased to meet you" or "How do
you do?"
• When greeting someone you are already acquainted with, you
may smile or wave. A common greeting is "How are you?"
The usual response to this question is "I'm fine, thanks"; the
person asking generally does not expect a detailed response.
Similarly, phrases such as "See you later" are just ways of
saying goodbye, and do not imply an invitation.
• When receiving an invitation, it is polite to respond as soon as
possible to let your host or hostess know whether or not you
are able to accept.
• If you are invited to dinner, you should arrive on time. You
are not expected to bring a gift, but if you wish to show your
appreciation, flowers or other small items are appropriate.
• It is not as important to be on time to events such as parties;
guests are often late, as no one wants to be the first to arrive.
• While Americans are very casual in their dress,
they are preoccupied with cleanliness.
• Men and women bathe frequently, particularly in
the summer, and use a great deal of soap,
deodorant, and cologne.
• While this may seem excessive to those from
other cultures, it is important to remember that
personal hygiene can play a major role in
professional and social success in the United
States
(http://www.philau.edu/internationalservices/cultu
re.html )
 No spitting & public urination
• Spitting is unacceptable in any public setting except for
baseball players on a field.
• If you have a cold and cannot avoid spitting up phlegm,
use a tissue and then throw it away.

• Public urination and defecation In the United States,

public urination and defecation is illegal and very much
frowned upon unless you are in a wilderness area
• it is considered a health hazard and potential scenario
which will anger locals, since they do not even allow
dogs to defecate unless the mess is cleaned up.
• Chewing with your mouth wide open Generally, an American will
forgive you for the occasional slip of the mouth opening while
chewing one's food, but generally don't like it when a person
chews with their maw wide open and may or may not be talking.
• Picking your nose This activity is considered childish by Americans
and makes you appear uncouth. Do not do it in view of others.
• Bathing : Americans typically bathe once a day in hot water and
shower directly after strenuous exercise. They also use underarm
deodorant: humid summer weather or stressful business meetings
are no excuse if people smell you before they see you.
• Hand Washing In many restaurants you may notice a sign
demanding that employees wash hands before returning to work: it
is the law in many places, in order to prevent disease from
spreading. Foreign visitors would not at all be considered exempt
from the practice of hand washing.
(https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g191-c3541/United-
States:Customs.Habits.And.Etiquette.html)
• Tipping
• Open mouth laughing
• Opening a gift in the presence of the giver
• Crossing fingers (good luck)
• Putting hands in pockets while speaking
Common gestures that are obscene
and should be avoided
• The fork is held in the left hand, times facing down. The knife is held
in the right hand. After cutting food, the knife is laid down and the
fork is switched to the right hand to eat the cut food.
• Dining etiquette for your napkin: napkin placed on your lap right
after you’re seated and kept on your lap during the meal.
• Dining etiquette for beginning to eat. Never begin eating until
everyone is served and the host has started eating. Offer food and
drink to others before serving yourself.
• When you are invited to an event, it is very important to respond
either yes or no. Saying no is fine, but do not say you will attend and
then not show up.
• Americans tend to eat more quickly than people from other
countries. 2 courses: appetizer or salad and main dish or a main dish
and a dessert. Occasionally: buffet style (medium/large gatherings)
(http://www.etiquettescholar.com/dining_etiquette/table-etiquette)
 Business behaviors
• Business conversation may take place during meals. However,
many times you will find more social conversation taking place
during the actual meal.
• Business meetings may be arranged as breakfast meetings,
luncheon meetings, or dinner meetings depending on time
schedules and necessity. Generally a dinner, even for business
purposes, is treated as a social meal, a time to build rapport.
• Gift giving is discouraged or limited by many US companies. A
gracious written note is always appropriate and acceptable.
• If you do give a gift, it should not appear to be a bribe. An
invitation for a meal or a modest gift is usually acceptable.
• At some place with a line/ queue, go to the end & wait your turn.
• Do not use or chew on a toothpick in public, pay attention to the
no smoking public places.
 Communication
• Offer a firm handshake, lasting 3-5 seconds, upon greeting and
leaving. Maintain good eye contact during your handshake.
• If you are meeting several people at once, maintain eye contact with
the person you are shaking hands with, until you are moving on the
next person (Good eye contact = interest, sincerity & confidence)
• Good friends may briefly embrace, although the larger the city,
usually the more formal the behavior.
• Introductions include one's title if appropriate, or Mr., Ms, Mrs. and
the full name.
• Business cards are generally exchanged during introductions.
However, they may be exchanged when one party is leaving.
• A smile is a sign of friendliness, and in rural areas you may be
greeted with a "hello" rather than a handshake.
• Ask permission to smoke before lighting a cigarette or cigar. Due to
health concerns, you may or may not be given permission.
 Part 2
OVERVIEW OF OTHER COUNTRIES ‘
CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION STYLE
Groupwork (Read: (1) bow, shake hands
& kiss; (2) cross-cultural business behavior)
Asia & Middle East Europe & Latin Ameria
• Japan • France
• Korea • Germany
• India • Spain
• China • Italy
• Thailand • Russia
• Indonesia • Finland
• Philippines • Mexico
• Saudi Arabia • Brazil
 Procedure
• Summarize the key points of the business
communication styles & protocols of your
group’s country, select a presenter
• Move around the class and share the
information with at least 2 other pairs as well
as get the information about the other 2
countries from them
• Compare and contrast the similarities and
differences
 Compare and contrast
Country 1 Country 2 Country 3
Similarities -
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-
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-
Differences - - -
- - -