Comments

gratitude n вдячність;

soles n pl підошви взуття;

bribe n хабар, підкуп.

12. South korea

Conversation. It is good manners to comment on the good health of an older person. Although compliments are much appreciated, it is considered polite for them to be denied.

Koreans place a high value on families, so this is a good topic for discussion. Topics to avoid include politics (especially any topic related to socialism and communism). Avoid any type of disagreement in public.

Punctuality. Although Koreans do not put a particularly high value on punctuality, Westerners should nevertheless make an effort to be prompt.

Public manners. Loud laughter is considered rude. When laughing in public, cover your mouth. Nose blowing is also considered to be in poor taste and should be done in private. Be sure to remove your shoes before entering a temple or a person’s home. A hug or patting another on the back is considered rude.

Business entertaining. It is more common for entertaining to take place at a restaurant or bar (without spouses), rather than in a person’s home. If you are invited to a person’s home, be sure to take a modest gift (such as flowers), offering the gift with both hands. Bear in mind that it is considered polite not to open a gift in front of the person giving it. Formal business professional attire is considered appropriate. Koreans believe that when you dress well, you acknowledge the importance of the occasion. Expect all courses of a meal to be served at once.

Comments

patting n плескання (долонею);

attire n убрання, шати; одяг.

13. The united kingdom

Conversation. Refrain from asking the British, "What do you do?" This question is considered too personal. When you are discussing individuals from the United Kingdom, England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) you should refer to them as the "British". Just to be on the safe side, avoid using the term "English" to describe anyone. Avoid discussing politics and religion.

Punctuality. Promptness is appreciated.

Public manners. Your hands should always be visible. It is considered rude for hands to be in pockets. When pointing to something, do so with your head rather than with your fingers. Avoid wearing striped ties (why risk unintended mimicry of colours associated with British regiments?).

Don’t make the victory sign with your palm facing inwards. This is considered an obscene gesture in the U.K. Instead, make sure your palms face outwards.

Business entertaining. If you are invited to someone’s home and choose to take a gift, be sure it is a modest one. Gifts that cost more than $20 may embarrass the receiver.

Comments

palm n долоня;

unintended adj ненавмисний;

mimicry n імітування.

14. USA

Telecommunications. In the United States phone communication is very common and accepted. Negotiations are frequently conducted on phones. Sometimes people work together for months or even years before ever meeting.

Representation. The character of an organisation is more important than the character of the person representing it in the United States. The question one asks in the first contact is, "Can we do business with this organisation?" Businesspeople change jobs frequently. These frequent changes encourage U.S. business relationships to focus more on the companies than on the individuals representing the companies.

Personal Connections. Succeeding without the help of special personal connections shows independence and an ability to work hard. These qualities are highly respected. Working on your own does not hurt your reputation. As a matter of fact, the more powerful a person is, the more isolated the person can become.

Time. "Time is money" is a common saying in the United States. In making initial contacts, very little time is spent on building social relationships. Conversation is quickly focused on business. If there are any dinners or social events they are mainly used to discuss business, not other interests. The home office usually pressures the representative to get the account as quickly as possible.

The USA and Negotiators. In the United States, sending a person with great technical competence and knowledge to negotiate is most important. It shows you are serious about negotiations because you are sending a representative who is ready to answer any relevant questions. Power and authority are important but are more the result of your talent and work record than of your age or seniority in the organisation. The sex the negotiator is not important since many women occupy professional and managerial positions. North Americans are accustomed to sending only one person. Sometimes this is called "John Wayne approach". This means that the individual thinks he or she can handle the negotiation on his or her own; it reflects the strong individualism found among North Americans.

Social Classes. In the United States, differences in social and economic classes exist, but are not emphasized. Although colleagues from different classes may not socialize together frequently, there usually is at least one annual event where all employees come together. The most common events are Christmas parties and company picnics. Because equality is highly valued in the United States, formal situations that emphasize class differences are avoided. Social events are usually informal and relaxed.

The Role of the Boss in Office Life. The boss has authority but should not abuse it. As much as possible, the boss should just be one of the workers. For this reason American bosses are usually casual and informal with their employees. Because it is believed that good social relationships build a good work environment, bosses often throw parties to build a sense of unity among the employees and to strengthen employee identity with the organisation.

Entertaining. It is common in the U.S. to invite colleagues or other acquaintances home for a dinner party or cocktail party. The home is a place of hospitality and entertainment. In the U.S., there is not a big difference between how people socialize with colleagues and with friends. Both kinds of socializing are informal and relaxed. The party is a popular way of entertaining. Instead of a formal dinner at the table, often Americans entertain with an informal buffet or just cocktails and a snack. In addition to parties, common social activities include playing sports, going out for drinks after work, and going to sports or cultural events.

Phases of Negotiation. The negotiation process can be divided into four phases: 1) building a good relationship; 2) talking about the business deal; 3) persuasion, bargaining, and making concessions; and 4) making a final agreement. In the United States, the first two phases are not emphasized, because personal relationships do not play a large role in business life and because making a quick deal is important. The negotiation process soon moves to the last two phases as bargaining and making a final agreement are the focus of negotiations.

Concessions. Concessions are made during most of the negotiation process. At the beginning, while the two parties are talking about the proposed deal, small concessions are given to show cooperation. As the two parties continue to talk about each issue of business, they bargain and make concessions. The bargaining continues issue by issue until the final agreement is achieved. Each concession is met with a concession from the other party. In this way, the two parties treat each other as equals and demonstrate a cooperative attitude and a commitment to the negotiations.