1. When speaking about different nations we use stereotyped definitions. Do you agree with the definitions given below? What definitions could you add? How could you define your nationality?

The Germans — hardworking, ambitious, successful, aggressive, arrogant, etc.

The Japanese — successful, ambitious, clever, hardworking, etc.

The Americans — successful, ambitious, aggressive, modern, etc.

The British — boring, humorous, arrogant, aggressive, etc.

The French — stylish, modern, arrogant, humorous, lazy, etc.

The Italian — lazy, stylish, helpful, humorous, aggressive, etc.

The Russians — openhearted, emotional, spiritual, alcohol-abusing, etc.

2. Have you personally noticed any differences in the way business people behave themselves in other countries? What nationalities do you tend to associate with the following characteristics?

1. They insist on sticking to a strict agenda.

2. They can't see any further than next month's sales figures.

3. They like to get to know you before they do business with you.

4. They're pretty disorganized as a rule.

5. They avoid confrontation at all costs.

6. It takes a while to win them over.

7. They keep changing their minds.

8. They say what they mean and they mean what they say.

9. They seem to argue for the sake of arguing.

10. They tend to dominate meetings.

11. They see meetings as an opportunity to exchange information and share ideas.

12. They see meetings as an opportunity to get things moving.

3. Read the descriptions of some different social and business customs. Can you identify which nationality group they refer to? Match each description with one of these nationalities:

the Japanese the French the Germans

the Italians the British the Spanish

A. They are happy to borrow manners and style from anywhere as long as it is useful and, above all, elegant. They love new things and their homes and offices are full of gadgets. Interactive video telephones, high speed trains, and modern architecture cause excitement not shock.

1. The French

3. The Japanese

2. The Germans

4. The British

В. They leave work as punctually as they arrive and rarely take work home. They work hard, but statistically they put in fewer hours than fellow Europens.

1. The Spanish

3. The British

2. The Germans

4. The Japanese

С Lunches and dinners are an important part of business life. They are used to create a personal relationship, and to make sure that people can trust each other. Until the coffee is served, they must not discuss business.

1. The Japanese

3. The Spanish

2. The Italians

4. The British

D. It is impolite to be exactly on time. For social occasions this means arriving between ten and twenty minutes after the arranged time. Sometimes invitations specify, for example, 'Come at 7.30 for 8.00', which means you must not arrive later than 7.50.

1. The Japanese

3. The Spanish

2. The Germans

4. The British

E. They regularly word on Saturdays, don't often take more than week's vacation, and count sick days as holiday.

1. The Italians

3. The Germans

2. The British

4. The Japanese

F. The base of the economy is the thousands of small and medium sized private firs in the north. Their owners prefer independence, and it is more profitable to keep things in the family, pay workers in cash, and employ people who are officially self-employed, in order to make bigger profits and avoid strikes.

1. The French

3. The Italians

2. The Spanish

4. The Japanese

Do you agree with the above given analysis? Why/Why not? How dangerous is it to stereotype people in this way? Now compare your opinions with those in the article given below.