4. Malaysia

You are talking to a valued client in your office. Certain papers are needed. You ring your office boy to bring them. He brings a wrong file; you reject it and ask him to look for the right one. He brings another wrong file, and then a third. Would you:

A stomp out of the room to get the correct file, which you show to the office boy as you bring it. You tell him what you think of his lazy, careless behaviour, etc.?

B call your secretary on the intercom and ask her to locate the file, then send the office boy to go and get it?

C excuse yourself and leave the room to go and get the file; after the guest has left, you say a few words to the office boy?

5. China

You have been invited by a Chinese family to share a special meal and the dishes appear one after the other. The hostess presents the final, large and ornate dish and when she tastes it, she makes a face and says it is 'not salty enough'. What would you say?

A 'Never mind, I'll just add some salt.'

B 'Oh no, it's absolutely delicious, the best I've ever tasted!'

C I'm not very hungry, anyway.'

6. Britain

You are in a crowded lift and someone gets in and steps on your foot. Would you:

A stare at the floor and bear the pain silently until they have moved off it of their own accord?

B glare at them angrily and tell them to 'Get off!'?

C say 'Sorry'?

7. France

You are visiting some friends who have invited you to dinner. Would you take:

A some flowers? '

B a bottle of wine?

C nothing?

Now check your answers with the key. Would people in your country react in a similar way? If not, how would their reactions differ?

What Makes An American?

Task 1. The use of models, while helpful, tends to be an abstract, academic way of getting at the subject. How can we bring American values, which constitute the core piece of cultural baggage you are taking overseas with you, more sharply into focus?

Have you ever sat down and tried to make a list of American values? Or perhaps "basic ideas held by most Americans"? If you're not an anthropologist or cultural historian it probably won't be easy. But since it's relevant, give it a try.

Write as many American values or basic American ideas as you can think of and, wherever possible, condense them into one- or two-word phrases.

Task 2. Here is a list of proverbs (1-22) and the values they seem to be teaching (a-v). Try to match them.

Cleanliness is next to godliness. A penny saved is a penny earned. Time is money. Don't cry over spilt milk. Waste not; want not. Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. God helps those who help themselves It's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game. A man's home is his castle. No rest for the wicked. You've made your bed, now sleep in it. Don't count your chickens before they're hatched. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Might makes right. There's more than one way to skin a cat. A stitch in time saves nine. All that glitters is not gold. Clothes make the man. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Take care of today and tomorrow will take care of itself. Laugh and the world laughs with you; weep and you weep alone.

aggressiveness cleanliness concern for physical appearance diligence; work ethic frugality good sportsmanship guilt; work ethic initiative originality, determination persistence; work ethic pleasant outward appearance practicality practicality practicality preparation for future privacy; value of personal property responsibility; retaliation superiority of physical power thriftiness time thriftiness timeliness of action wariness

& LEARN & THINK