Cultural report

The executive summary

When completing Unit 7, you will have the knowledge and interesting information about cultural
differences, cultural idioms, social English, brief business culture, and some advice, obligation,
and necessity related to culture.

Introduction

This report will look at:

 The cultural differences & culture shock

 Cultural idioms
 Advice, obligation, and necessity
 Social English

Summarizing

1. The cultural differences & culture shock

+, Colleagues from different countries might share similar professional knowledge and
skills within a single international organization, but their ways of doing business are
likely to be completely different.
Example:
+, Chinese office workers in Hong Kong use the door-close button on a lift no matter
how many people are also getting in. In contrast, doing such a thing in London would
make people extremely angry.
+, It is common for South Africans to ask a personal question of their counterparts
shortly after being introduced. While a British colleague may perceive this as impolite
+, Latin Americans’ need for personal space is much less than that of their British
colleagues.

+, Culture shock comes when people haven’t prepared themselves well enough.
  For Americans, time is money while Latin Americans want to build
relationships before doing business.
 In Chinese culture, relationship-building is very important. All because they
want you to entertain and they often invite you back to their home and then sit
down and do business.
 In Latin culture, they often make a judgment about you as an individual to
ensure whether or not you are a kind person to do business with.
+, To become an international business and business manager, the skill set is just one
factor. There are many factors you need to equip such as adaptability, flexibility…
+, The key feature of successful international business is to be non-judgmental.
2. Culture idioms

Orde Idioms Examples

r
1 Break the ice (to make
people who have not met
before feel more relaxed
with each other)
2 Throw in at the deep end (to
describe starting a new and
difficult activity when one is
not fully prepared or ready
to do it)
3 See eye to eye (If two
people see eye to eye, they
agree with each other)
4 Get into hot water (to be in
or get into a difficult
situation in which you are
Because I’m an extrovert, I’m always the
one who breaks the ice and talks with
strangers.
I was thrown in at the deep when my
teacher asked me to do a presentation in 15
minutes right after she finished teaching.
My company didn’t see eye to eye with the
partner company because their contract was
full of clauses that were unbeneficial to my
company.
He found himself in hot water over his
comments on childcare
 in danger of being criticized
or punished)
5 Put my foot in it (to say I really put my foot in my mouth –
something by accident that I asked her if Jane was her mother, but she
embarrasses or upsets said Jane is her sister.
someone)
6 Get on like a horse on fire I was worried that they wouldn't like each
(If two people get on like other but in fact, they're getting on like
a house on fire, they like a house on fire.
each other very much and
become friends very quickl
y)
7 Like a fish out of water (a When I visited China for the first time, I
person who feels awkward was like the fish out of water. Everything
or unhappy because they was so different, and I couldn’t read any of
are in a situation that is not the signs
familiar or because they are
different from the people
around them)
8 Real eye-opener (something Living in another country can be a real eye-
that surprises you and opener.
teaches you new facts about
life, people,…)
3. Advice, obligation, and necessity
1. Advice
 We can use should and shouldn’t to give or ask for advice
 For strong advice, we can use must or mustn’t
2. Obligation/necessity
 We often use must when the obligation comes from the person speaking
and writing
 We use mustn’t to say something is prohibited or is not allowed
  We often use have to to show that the obligation come from another
person or institution, not the speaker.
3. Lack of obligation/ lack of necessity
 Don’t have to and mustn’t are very different, don’t have to= it is not
necessary.
4. Social English
Orde Situation
r
1 You don’t hear someone’s name
when you are introduce to them
2 You have to refuse an invitation to
dinner with a supplier
3 You are offered food you hate
4 You want to end a conversation in a
diplomatic way
5 You have to greet a visitor
6 You have to introduce two people
to each other
7 You offer to pay for a meal
8 You have to propose a toast
9 Your colleague has been made a
redundant
10 You arrive half an hour late for a
meeting
Other expressions:
1. Congratulations! 5. I don’t mind
Your responds
Sorry, I can’t catch your name.
Really sorry. I’d love to but I
have to go to the theatre.
Not for me. Thanks. I’m not
keen on seafood.
Sorry but I so really have to go.
It’s really nice to talk with you.
Welcome to our office. It’s a
very pleasure to meet you.
It’s my pleasure to introduce
Jina. Can I introduce you to
Jack?
It’s on me
Cheers! /Here is our future
success.
I’m sorry to hear that/ Very sorry
to hear about what happen.
I’m sorry for being late. I have
trouble with my car.
10. Yes, please
 2. Make yourself at 6. Excuse me 11. Could you…
home 7. Sorry 12. That’s sound
3. Help your self 8. I’m afraid… good
4. That’s no problems 9. Bad luck 13. After you
14. Not at all

Findings

 In German culture,
1. Don’t try and make casual small talk about the weather. Germans find this boring and
a waste of time. They’re not much for the subtleties of the American conversation. If
it isn’t worth saying, don’t say it. Everyone around you also knows what the weather
is like.
2. They are very honest and have no problem telling you exactly how they feel. Don’t
get all blubbery if they say something you don’t like. Get over it and move along.
After all, they are just being truthful with you.
 In French culture:
1. Avoid droning on and on about business talks during lunch. The French believe that
there is more to life than working nonstop. Sit back, enjoy your meal, and talk about
something else aside from business. There's plenty of time for that when not at a table
filled with good food. 
2. Break the ice with a quick “bonjour” followed by madame, mademoiselle, or
monsieur. Always say “merci” (thank you) and s’il vous plait (please). Good manners
are awesome wherever you are. 
3. It is considered bad manners to ask questions about political preferences. 
 In The US:
1. It’s considered to be a very bad taste in the United States. Women’s rights to get
around without being harassed are highly prized in America.
2.  Eye contact is encouraged. It will show that you are actively listening, attentive, and
not distracted by anything else.
3. 4 feet is usually a good amount to have a comfortable conversation.
 4. If you smoke, make sure you go somewhere quiet so the smoke doesn’t annoy others.
5.  Saying “Hello” when you pass someone is the way to show that you value their
friendship.

Recommendation

It is important to understand your own culture makeup in order to work more effectively,
maximize teamwork, and strengthen global competence.