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Sunday 10 October 2010

Cross Cultural Gift Giving Etiquette


Within the interdependent, global and multi-cultural marketplace of the 21st century, cross cultural differences in the approaches to and practices of business people across the world are important to learn.

A lack of cross cultural understanding can lead to misunderstandings which may result in offense. Cross cultural awareness and an understanding of foreign etiquette is important for today's globe trotting business person.

One area of importance in cross cultural awareness is in the different gift giving etiquettes of the world. Understanding gift giving and the etiquette surrounding it can help international business people cement better relationships with foreign colleagues, clients or customers.

Cross cultural gift giving etiquette involves considering the following points:

. Who is receiving the gift? Is it a person or a group? What is the status of the receiver(s)?
. What types of gifts are acceptable or unacceptable?
. What is the protocol associated with gift giving and receiving?
. Should gifts be reciprocated?

In many countries such as in North America or the UK, gift giving is rare in the business world. In fact, it may carry negative connotations as gift giving could be construed as bribery. However, in many other countries, gift giving and its etiquette have a central place in business practices.

In order to highlight some of the different aspects of cross cultural gift giving etiquette a few examples shall be presented.

Gift Giving Etiquette in China

. It is the proper etiquette for gifts to be exchanged for celebrations, as thanks for assistance and even as a sweetener for future favours.
. It is however important not to give gifts in the absence of a good reason or a witness.
. When the Chinese want to buy gifts it is not uncommon for them to ask what you would like.
. It would be wise to demonstrate an appreciation of Chinese culture by asking for items such as ink paintings or tea.
. Business gifts are always reciprocated. Not to do so is bad etiquette.
. When giving gifts do not give cash.
. Do not be too frugal with your choice of gift otherwise you will be seen as an 'iron rooster', i.e. getting a good gift out of you is like getting a feather out of an iron rooster.
. Depending on the item, avoid giving one of something. Chinese philosophy stresses harmony and balance, so give in pairs.

Gift Giving Etiquette in Japan
. Gift-giving is a central part of Japanese business etiquette.
. Bring a range of gifts for your trip so if you are presented with a gift you will be able to reciprocate.
. The emphasis in Japanese business culture is on the act of gift-giving not the gift itself.
. Expensive gifts are common.
. The best time to present a gift is at the end of your visit.
. A gift for an individual should be given in private.
. If you are presenting a gift to a group of people have them all present.
. The correct etiquette is to present/receive gifts with both hands.
. Before accepting a gift it is polite to refuse at least once or twice before accepting.
. Giving four or nine of anything is considered unlucky. Give in pairs if possible.

Gift Giving Etiquette in Saudi Arabia

. Gifts should only be given to the most intimate of friends.
. Gifts should be of the highest quality.
. Never buy gold or silk as a present for men.
. Silver is acceptable.
. Always give/receive gifts with the right hand.
. Saudis enjoy wearing scent - itr. The most popular is oud which can cost as much as £1000 an ounce.
. It is not bad etiquette to open gifts when received.

The above are a few of many examples of cross cultural differences in gift giving etiquette. It is advisable to try and ascertain some facts about the gift giving etiquette of any country you plan to visit on business. By doing so, you maximise the potential of your cross cultural encounter. 

Sunday 3 October 2010

INTRODUCTION

Cross Cultural Understanding means understanding the culture of the target people so that we can reconstruct our attitudes and world views; consequently, we become more tolerate and more generous toward strange ways that may be shown by the target language people.

Also, the importance of understanding other culture will avoid misunderstanding and make inappropriate value judgements. Therefore, at the end we are not considered that our culture is better than other cultures.
Culture refers to all aspect of life in a community. It involves ways of doing things, ways of expressing themselves, ways of looking at thing, what things they should value and what is expected from and what they may expect from others. 

Tomasouw (1986) distinguish culture and civilization. Civilization refers to areas such as geography, history, artistic, and literacy achievement. While culture is something to do with everyday life style of ordinary citizens and the values belief and prejudice they share with their fellow within their linguistic and social groups with due attention to intra-group differences (of social class for example).

Larson & Immaley in Tomasouw (1986) define culture as a ‘blue print’, which guides the behaviour of people in community and then is developed in family life.

Chaer and Agustine (1995) suggest that culture consists of standards for deciding what is, standards for deciding what can be, standards for deciding how one feels about it, standards for deciding what to do about it, and standards for deciding how to go doing it.

Goodenough in Wardhaugh (1986) believe that culture consists of whatever it is one has to know or believe in order to operate in a manner acceptable to its members, and to do so in any role that they accept for any one of themselves.

Why study CCU?
1. Although some students of English program show their linguistic competence a lot, e.g. their talking is grammatically correct, their conversation may sound improper even strange.

2. Lacking of cultural knowledge contributes to improper use of the language.

3. One’s cultural factors may cause someone seem intolerant and less generous to other cultures.

4. The need for interpreting behaviour, attitudes and communication style of people from different cultures correctly.


Case examples, where CCU is needed: 

a. Dog represents something good in Western culture, while it is considered offending thing in Indonesia.

b. Western culture highly value of time, e.g. punctuality, while it is not a case in Indonesia.

c. Some people use their subjective mood when in contact with foreigners, e.g. using metaphors when talking to foreigners which easily can lead to misunderstanding. In Indonesia, the words said can mean the opposite/ negative since the people also communicate with their body languages or gestures. (Saying ‘Mari makan’ means ‘let me eat my food’, not asking other people to share my food).

d. In this country, the common subjects used when talking with foreigners are about family, jobs or careers, purposes of coming to Indonesia, and so on. This may sound interfere other people’s privacy in other cultures.

e. In this country, people think it is okay to touch foreign child’s head to show concern. This may consider impolite to other cultures. While it shows a impropriate behaviour to touch an adult’s head in this country (offending), while it is a very common to do so in Western cultures. 

f. In this country, the people will not open present until they get guest leave; while it may means disliking of the gifts for foreigner's culture.

g. Standing too close to foreigners is considered improper behaviour in Indonesia, while it is common practice in some Western countries.

h. When greeting people, the Indonesian people will answer “Would you like some coffee?” with “Thank you”.

About the course


COURSE COMPETENCE:
     To make the students familiar with the concept of culture in general, in particular, the culture of English speaking people/foreigners, they are learning.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
        The course is designed for the students able to understand cross cultural understanding and its relationship with the language and cultural values of target language (English). The course is prerequisite for the students of English study program, because by understanding the culture of the foreign people it can help to build the spirit of International understanding and friendliness, as well as becoming more tolerate and more generous toward strange ways that may be shown by the target language people.   
REFERENCE:
Pauline Tomasouw (1986) Cross Cultural Understanding, Jakarta: Penerbit Karunika.
Cathie Draine & Barbara Hall (1997) Culture Shock, Singapore: Times edition Pte Ltd.
Hanoum Laila Hasyim (1986) Cross Cultural Understanding: Jakarta: Penerbit Karunika.
Pandiya (2007) the Importance of Cross-Culture Understanding For Polytechnic Students in Ragam, Vol 7 No. 1, April 2007: 1 – 8.

ASSESSMENT
Attendance                  : 15 %
Group presentation       : 25 %
Final Exam                   : 30 %
Assignment                  : 30 %
Commenced date: 04 October 2010 - Februari 2011.