Unit 14 | Culture
Starting point:
1- A common piece of advice top people travelling to another country is
“when in Rome “, do as the Romans do. What does this expression
mean?
- The expression means that when you are in another country, you
should behave like the people who live there. This might include
eating the same food, wearing similar clothes and respecting local
customs.
2- How much do you change your behavior if you visit another country
for work? Or as a tourist? Why?
- I have to change my behavior to behave like people in the other
country I am going to visit or work in it, because I have to respect
their customs.
Working with word| Cultural differences
1- If you do business with a different culture, what is it useful to know about
that culture?
- How they greet people (shaking hands, bowing)
- Which gestures might be considered rude
- Some typical food dishes
- Their attitude to time ( punctual or relaxed)
- Which topics you don’t discuss
- Their view of work versus life
Working across cultures
Cultural differences
 Values in the work place are influenced by culture
 Working entertaining,negotiating,and corresponding with
colleagues from different cultures can be quite difficult
 One misunderstanding could have a negative effect on months
of work
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Key Factors of The cultural Differences
Hierarchical or Liberal & Egalitarian
Hierarchical:
In Malaysia , Indonesia … with a caste or class system
There is often a big difference in wealth between individuals
At work, employees respect authority
Don’t usually take responsibility and have a formal relationship
with their manager.
Liberal & Egalitarian
 In Australia & Denmark
 Managers give their employees responsibility and often
socialize with them.
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Individualistic or Collectivist:
Individualistic:
 In U.S & Netherlands
 Think that individual rights & freedom of speech are important
 Personal goals, choices and achievements are encouraged
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Collectivist:
In Korea & Colombia
The self-centered approach is discouraged
The group such as family has a big influence on people’s live
and is often seen as more important than business
Companies have a strong work group mentality and praise is
given to teams rather than individuals.
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Masculine or Feminine:
Masculine:
In Brazil & Mexico
The male dominates the power structure
Competitiveness and assertiveness are encouraged
The accumulation of wealth is important
Many employees live to work and take short holidays
Feminine:
In Sweden & Finland
Family , personal relationships, and quality of life are more
important
Conflicts are resolved through negotiation and people “work to
live”
Enjoying longer holidays & flexible working hours
Cautious or Risk taking
Cautious:
 In Greece & Portugal “long history”
 Quite cautious , often have religious backgrounds and resist
new ideas
 At work , people prefer to follow strict rules and do things as
they always have been done
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Risk taking
In Jamaica & Singapore “ younger history”
Are willing to take risks
Are more open to new ideas
Are less accepting of rules and regulations, and more likely to
welcome change
Dr. Fairouz said that the passage which includes the above information of
the key factors of cultural differences is important & will be the presentation
subject in the Exam.
2- Read the text again. According to Hofstede , which culture(s)
1- Think family life is important?
- Collectivist (Korea& Colombia) & Feminine (Sweden & Finland)
2- Like to be very polite to their manager and / or follow rules and
regulations?
- Hierarchical( Malaysia & Indonesia) & Cautious (Greece &
Portugal)
3- Adapt easily to change?
- Risk taking ( Jamaica & Singapore)
4 – Work with a partner. Match the adjectives in Bold in the text to
these definitions: P.85
1- Formal
2- Hierarchical
3- Egalitarian
4- Cautious
5- Open
6- Liberal
7- Collectivist
8- Strict
9- Accepting
10Individual
6-Listen to two people talking on the subject of culture p.85
1- The first speaker stresses the importance of researching the local
culture you’re doing business with. The speaker’s boss sold
computers in the Middle East. He was familiar with the local culture
and their way of doing business. He was competing against a U.S
company with a better and cheaper product. However. The American
representative did not do business in the way people were used to.
So he lost the contract.
2- The second speaker is describing a course in understanding the
culture of the place participants are going to work in. People learn
about the Political system, the social structure, basic culture norms,
taboo subjects, significant cultural differences between home and
host country, and work culture.
7- Use the words from audio 55 to complete the sentences:
12345678-
Sensitive
Adjust
Familiar
Aware
Respectful
Informed
Used
Tolerant
Practically Speaking | Talking about films, TV and Books
2 – Which of these phrases can you use to talk about?
1- A film?
- (It’s) a blockbuster…/ (It’s) a box office hit.../ …a star-studded
cast…/ (You’ll be) on the edge of your seat.
2- A TV program?
- I’m completely hooked on it. / I can’t miss an episode. / I tend to
channel-hop. / I just like to unwind in front of…
3- A book?
- It’s a real page-turner/ I couldn’t put it down. / I’ve just finished…/
it’s very well written.
4- All three?
- I don’t get. / have much time to…/ there’s a…twist at the end. / I’d
definitely recommend it. / It’s set in…/ it’s about…/ what I really
can’t stand is…
Check more key expressions on page 135
14|practice file
Working with words:
1- Match these adjectives to the statement 1-10
1- Individualistic
2- Liberal
3- Egalitarian
4- Hierarchical
5- Accepting
6- Cautious
7- Formal
8- Strict
9- Open
10- Collective
2- Complete the sentences with the correct prepositions:
1- To
2- Of
3- About
4- With
5- Of
6- To
7- To
8- of