7. Answer the following questions about gift-giving in your culture. Share your answers with the classmate, compare your answers to those of an American as listed in the chart.

	YOU	AMERICAN
1.On what occasions do you give gifts to business colleagues? (on birthdays? for the NewYear?)		Usually on birthdays, for weddings, and sometimes at Christmas time
2 What kinds of gifts might you expect from colleagues?( liquor, pens, books, other?) Would expensive gifts be appropriate?		Pens, books, plants, compact disks, or gift certificates. Gifts over the value of $50 are not appropriate.
3 How should a person respond when given a gift? Should the person open the gift in front of he giver or wait to open the gift when alone?		The person should open the gift in front of the giver.
4How do you thank someone for a gift?		I tell the person how much I like the gift when I open it. I then follow up with a short written note thanking the person again.
5On the same occasion what is the difference between an employee’s gift to a supervisor and a supervisor’s gift to an employee? Who gives the bigger gift? Why/		Employees usually give group gifts to their supervisors so that the gift is not perceived as a special favor from any one employee. The supervisor gives small gifts to employees, but never of significant value.

X Entertaining business clients

1. Answer the following questions.

1 What is different about the social time you spend with friends and the social time you spend with colleagues?

2 Do you think it is a good idea to socialize with your colleagues? Why or why not?

3 In English there is a saying, “ Never mix business with pleasure.” Do you agree

with this saying? Why or why not?

b) Cultures also differ when it comes to entertaining business clients.

Read the following examples and then say what is done in your culture.

Italy.

Hospitality plays a key role in Italian business culture. Regardless of how you feel, refusing an invitation of any kind may give offence. The business breakfast is almost unheard of. Rare exceptions may be found in the major cities. Business dinners involve only a small, exclusive group. If you are the host, check with your Italian contact before making any invitations. Lunch is still the main meal of the day in most areas of the country. It is usually served after 12:30 p.m. and often has many courses.

United Arab Emirates.

Sharing a meal is considered the best way for people to get to know each other. Locals often entertain at home but they will accept a foreigner’s invitation to a hotel or restaurant. Hospitality in the UAE is very important but should not be interpreted as future commercial

success. There are local customs to be aware of, for example, it is considered bad maners to either eat or offer something with the left hand.

South Korea	Dinner parties, drinking, and singing in Karaoke bars and sometimes in ksaengs ( nightclubs with hostesses). Playing golf together. Spouses are not included.
Spain	Usually lunch or dinner in a restaurant, not someone’s home. Spouses rarely come along. Guests may be accompanied or offered tickets to cultural events.
United States	Dinner in a restaurant or at home. Spouses are often included. Playing golf, tennis, or racquetball. Guests may be accompanied or offered tickets to cultural or sports events.
Russia