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Are you someone who loves to know or learn facts that you file away for future information? Well this article may appeal to you. It contains a few interesting cultural particulars that I have learned while travelling.

In East Asian board rooms, involving new business discussions, many executives will arrange the business cards of the participants in the way that they are seated around the table, so that they can be sure to learn their names correctly. 

Gentlemen, it is not uncommon in the Middle East for your local male colleague or client to clasp your hand while walking. This means that they like and trust you. Be forewarned, if you think that your hand may become clammy, as a result.

In many countries, you may meet locals for just a few minutes, who may ask you questions that we would consider personal in parts of Western Europe and North America. Examples of this would be: Are you married? How many children do you have? Why don’t you have children? What religion are you? How old are you? Or, how much money do you make? Why isn’t your husband travelling with you?

It is not only important to know how and when to give and receive gifts in business, but how to wrap them. In many cultures, how the gift is wrapped and presented, is as important as the gift itself.

Don’t be offended if your gift is not opened in front of you. In East Asia and other parts of Asia, the gifts are opened privately.

Table manners and what is acceptable varies considerably, depending on the region. For example, eating loudly and belching may be acceptable in parts of the Middle East, but not in the UK, for example.

In South Africa, when they say, “I will see you just now,” it means they will see you later.

In the UK, a retirement scheme means pension plan in America. To table a discussion in America means to postpone it. In the UK, it means to put the topic out for discussion at present.

If you intend to drive in a foreign country, be sure to thoroughly know the local laws, what to do in case of an accident. If you are travelling with young children, learn what child restraint laws they have, if any.

When Germans whistle at a soccer match, they are jeering.

Beckoning someone with a curling index finger in Southeast Asia and Australia is rude.

Ladies, dressing in conservative clothes, with minimalist jewelry and wearing neutral colors is recommended in East Asia and the Middle East. What is considered acceptable, professional business attire in the US, may not be de rigueur in the UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, where knees, shoulders and arms are always covered, and necklines of blouses and tops, at least touch the collar bone.

This humorous article has been circulating on the internet for a few years. It has been credited to both Qantas Airways and UPS. I am posting it here for your reading pleasure. Enjoy!

Remember it takes a college degree to fly a plane, but only a high school diploma to fix one…a reassurance to those of you, who fly routinely.

After every flight, pilots fill out a form, called a ‘gripe sheet,’ which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft.

The mechanics correct the problems, documents their repairs on the form, and then pilots review the gripe sheets before the next flight.

Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense of humor.

Here are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by UPS (or perhaps Qantas) pilots (marked with a P) and the solutions recorded (marked with an S) by maintenance engineers.

P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.

P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

P: Something loose in cockpit
S: Something tightened in cockpit

P: Dead bugs on windshield.
S: Live bugs on back-order.

P: Auto pilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent
S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.

P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
S: DME volume set to more believable level.

P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
S: That’s what friction locks are for.

P: IFF inoperative in OFF mode.
S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.

P: Suspected crack in windshield.
S: Suspect you’re right.

P: Number 3 engine missing.
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search

P: Aircraft handles funny. (I love this one!)
S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right and be serious.

P: Target radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.

P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.
S: Took hammer away from midget.

Bon Appetit! Guten Appetit! Buon Appetito! Smacznego!

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Here are five basic tips to get you started and to ensure that you are well received and welcomed back:

While recently checking in to an up-market business hotel, in Orange County, CA, the desk clerk was courteous and efficient. However when I presented my credit card to her she asked, “CanIseesomeformofpictureID?” This was said rapidly, with the words run together.

Of course I understood what she meant. However, behind me in the check-in queue was a couple speaking Italian. I wondered if they would understand this request, as it was posed to me.

It is difficult for us to simplify and slow our American English when talking with people whose second or third language is English. They may speak English quite well, but they may have learned it in Singapore or at Oxford, and our American vernacular may not translate at all well.

It would have been more helpful if the hotel employee would have asked to see a driver’s license or passport, with the credit card. However, since some people may not possess a driver’s license or passport, it presents a dilemma. Many countries have driver’s licenses issued for life and the photos issued at age 18 or 20 no longer bear any resemblance to the license holder today.

One of the first points of contacts for a hotel visitor or guest, is the front desk clerk. They may have been greeted briefly by the doorman, but the first conversation a hotel guest would have most likely would be the clerk at check-in.

Would a better way to phrase the request have been, “Sir (or ma’m), do you have any identification with your photograph?” The request would be spoken clearly, distinctly and without running the words together. The word identification would not be abbreviated, so as to avoid confusing the non-native English speaker with “ID”.

It behooves hotel staff and indeed all of us to extend ourselves to international visitors or colleagues to help them to feel as comfortable as possible, starting with the initial contact and a form of English sans abbreviations, vernacular phrases and American expressions.

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Answer True or False
Note: in some instances, only part of the question is incorrect!

1. In Brazil, the classic American OK sign, – thumb and forefinger forming a circle, is an obscene gesture.

2. In East Asia, it is acceptable to stick your chopsticks into your rice bowl, when they are not in use.

3. In Sri Lanka, nodding the head up and down means “no” and shaking from side to side means “yes”.

4. When a Japanese laughs, it may mean shock, grief, embarrassment or confusion.

5. In Hong Kong, it is perfectly acceptable to put bones or other rejects from your meal on the table, even when there is a tablecloth.

6. In Thailand, it is considered taboo and insulting to touch a child’s head.

7. Germans whistle to convey approval, like Americans do.

8. When leaving a home in Malaysia, it is considered impolite if you say, “Goodbye”.

9. In France, a firm, pumping handshake is considered proper and polite.

10. When dining in an Arab home, it is polite to decline an offer of anything until at least the second or third time it is offered.

11. In South Africa, when someone says, “I will see you just now,” it means “I will be right with you”.

12. In Australia, or Indonesia, using a curling index finger to beckon a person is acceptable.

13. In the U.K. and France, it is customary to eat sandwiches with a knife and fork.

14. When sending a team to China, for initial negotiations, you would send middle management of a mature age.

15. In Latin America, what you know is more important than who you know.

16. In Korea, if the business meeting has gone well, the bow at the end will be shorter than the entry bow.

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© CatherineLorenz.com

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