Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 1 Cultural difference tips. Bridging the cultural gap.

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 2 Cultural difference tips. Overview. Business etiquette II Daily habit III Dining habit IV I General information 3

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 3 Influencing factors on our culture. Focus China / Germany. Socio demographics and geographic size, population, ethnic groups, etc. History tradition, influence, etc. Religion Confucianism, Daoism, Catholicism, etc. Political and Legal structure reliability, stability, participation, liberty, etc. Economy / Economical development structure, growth, etc. The differences between China and Germany lead to a difference in thinking, feeling and acting.

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 4 How we see the world. The center of the world is Asia / China! 

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 5  How we see the world. The center of the world is Europe / Germany!

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 6  How we see the world. The center of the world is America / USA!

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 7 Business suits and white socks Not unusualTotal ‘no go’

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 8 Greeting Nod or slightly bowHandshake

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 9 Business card Present and receive with both hands and a display of respect No special procedure

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 10 Talking during meetings the highest ranked member normally does most talking and indicates direction Equal input come from all team members regardless of their ranking in the hierarchy

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 11 Contract signing Name in Chinese Characters + Stamp (generally in red) Name in signature style

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 12 Invitation timing (i.e. for team dinner) Invitation for the same day is no problem Invitation should be at least a few days in advance

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 13 Declining an invitation “I will try my best” often means NONo = No and Yes = Yes

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 14 Ending a visit The host will always try the guest to stay longer even if this is not true The guest decides to leave the host usually accepts this

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 15 Offering flowers PackedUnpacked

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 16 Usage of color Also red is a lucky color a persons name should never be written in red No special meaning. In Business however mainly black and blue are used

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 17 Accepting / Dealing with gifts Set aside and open later after guests are gone Open immediately and show appreciation

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 18 Accepting compliments Normally compliments are refused: “Na li na li” (I am not so good) or “cha de yuan” (far from good) Normally compliments are accepted without hesitation: “Thanks”

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 19 Lady’s laughing Usually silent and with a hand covering the mouth Silent or loud

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 20 Most honorable dining place RestaurantAt home

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 21 Dressing for dinner at restaurant No special requirementUsually quite formal

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 22 Lighting of restaurants Very bright lightSoft light

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 23 Call for service Loud shoutingHand raising

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 24 Food ordering Usually the host is choosing for all guests Every guest chooses his / her own meal

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 25 Serving of dishes The guest of honor is served firstNo special order for meal serving

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 26 Meals All guests share the dishesEvery guest has his separate meal

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 27 Food adventure Pig feet, dog meat, dug tongue, etc. are specialties Pig feet, dog meat, dug tongue, etc. are not normally loved

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 28 Most precious part of a chicken All but breastBreast

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 29 Eating habit Chopsticks and head moving towards plate Knife and fork and cutlery moving towards the mouth

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 30 Soup sipping With spoon or directly from the bowlWith spoon

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 31 Chewing Chewing with smack is quite commonChewing is always done with mouth shut and without noise

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 32 Beer temperature Cold or normal temperatureUsually cold

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 33 Toasting / Bottom up Quite often and most time involving the whole table or one to one Relatively rare

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 34 Smoking at table Before, during and after lunchOnly before and after lunch

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 35 Bill Usually the host is paying the bill for all guests Every guest pays his own bill / consumption

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 36 Tips NoneUsually % of total bill

Cultural Difference Training HR Systems December 2008 Page 37 Leaving after meal The highest rank guest decides on the timing of the everybody’s departure The individual guest leave upon his / her decision