Socializing

at the
Making invitations to work-related events Office
Corporate
Hospitality
& Culture
 PRESENTATION

Discuss the following questions.

a How many of the people you work with do you mix with socially?

b When was the last time you had to attend an office party or business function? Did you
have a good time?

c The Japanese spend $40 billion a year on corporate hospitality - almost as much as the
country’s annual defense budget! In what ways can entertaining clients and colleagues be
good for business?
Many companies spend alot of money on corporate entertaining. Do you think the money
is well spent? Why or why not?
PRESENTATION

A Imagine you have to entertain a group of foreign business people. Which of the following
activities would you choose? What would you add?

• historic sites • opera/ concerts • motor racing • tennis

• bar/nightclub • wine tasting • golf • restaurant
• theatre • horse racing • football • art galleries
 PRESENTATION

Canada Indonesia France

If you are invited for a meal, you Never point to anything with When eating out, keep both
should arrive on time - not early your foot. hands on or above the table.
or late.

South Korea Egypt Thailand

Always use both hands to pass Don't eat anything with your Never touch anyone – especially
something to an older person . left hand. a child -on the head.

Does your culture follow any of these customs? Do any of these customs seem unusual to you ? Explain.
What other interesting customs do you know?
What customs should a visitor to your country know about ?
 Test your knowledge of social customs around the world. Do this quiz with
Social and give the advice that you think is correct, then check your answer.
customs
Culture Quiz

1 If you're doing business with a German, you have to shake hands…

a when you meet.
b when you leave.
c when you meet and when you leave.
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Culture Quiz

1 Answer:

You have to shake hands when you're coming or going in

Germany, but in Britain you usually only shake hands when you
meet someone for the first time.
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Culture Quiz

2 If an Indian says 'Come anytime,' he or she expects you to

a arrange a visit immediately.
b visit him/her the next day.
c ignore the invitation.
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2 Answer:

'Come any time' means 'I want you to visit me' in India. If you don't
suggest a time and arrange a visit immediately, an Indian will think
you are refusing the invitation. But if an English person says 'Come
any time', they will think you are bad-mannered if you start fixing a
date.
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3 If you're doing business in Thailand, you must…

a shake hands firmly.
b bow.
c make sure you don't touch your head.
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Culture Quiz

3 Answer:

In Thailand you have to shake hands very gently. It's not like America
where a weak handshake can indicate a weak character.
In Japan you have to bow when you meet someone for the first time
but in Thailand you have to put the palms of your hands together in a
prayer gesture. And you mustn't touch someone's head in Thailand .
It’s bad manners.
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4 In the Middle East you have to give presents to business

contacts
a in private.
b in public.
c every time you meet.
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4 Answer:

You have to give your present in public in the Middle East to

show it's not a bribe, but it's good manners to give your
present in private in Asia.
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5 If you're giving a present to your Latin American customer, you mustn't give
a cutlery.
b food and drink.
c a clock.
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5 Answer:

You mustn't give cutlery in Latin America because it suggests

that you want to cut off the relationship.
You mustn't give food or drink in Saudi Arabia because it
suggests you think your hosts aren't offering you enough to
eat and drink.
You mustn't give a clock in China because the Chinese word
for clock is similar to the word for funeral.
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6 You can’t do business in Muslim countries…

a on Wednesdays.
b on Fridays.
c on Sundays.
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6 Answer:

Offices are usually closed on Fridays in Muslim countries.

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7 If a Japanese person gives you their business card, you have to…
a take it with both hands and study it carefully.
b put it straight into your wallet or pocket.
c write notes about them on it.
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7 Answer:

You must treat your contact’s business card with respect in

Japan. You have to study them before you put them away and
you mustn’t write on them.
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8 If an American nods his/her head, it probably means
a I understand.
b Yes.
c I'm interested.
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8 Answer:

Americans usually mean 'Yes' when they nod their heads. An

English person probably just means 'I understand', and an
Asian is just showing interest.
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9 At a social occasion with an Indian client,…

a you can discuss business.
b you mustn't discuss business.
c you don't have to discuss business.
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9 Answer:

It's bad manners to discuss business at a social occasion in India.

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10 If you're in a pub in England, you have to buy a drink

a for yourself.
b for everyone in the group you're with.
c for everyone in the pub.
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10 Answer:

In an English pub you are expected to take turns buying everyone

“a round”. Drinks for everyone in your group.
When chatting with people you don’t know well… It’s the custom to use polite language at all times.
you aren't supposed to swear, it’s offensive.

If you communicate by email…

you're supposed to check before sharing em
it's not acceptable to share their email addr
you're expected to BCC instead of CC.

A Match the sentence halves in A and B.

A B

1 If you've been to a colleague’s home for dinner...
2 If you plan to visit someone at home . . . . ..
3 When you have been invited to a wedding….
4. When you go out to dinner…
5. If the service in a restaurant is good, . .
6. When you meet someone for the first time,…
a. you're supposed to call first.
b. you're expected to leave a tip.
c you aren’t supposed to kiss him or her.
d. you are expected to respond in writing.
e. it’s the custom to call and thank him or her.
f. it's acceptable to share the expenses.