Name: Nazish Shah Program: bba 4 Topic:

National cultural variables and Individual cultural variables

An entire country may have a series of cultural norms; individual ethnic groups within that country may accept most of those norms as well as adding their own

Managing educationincluding training in business communication- is more prevalent in the United States than in other countries. Some countries have no academic courses in communication training.

Making mistakes in communication is easy in a foreign country. You or you legal department must be aware of strictness to the law or simply meeting the letter of the law.

The opportunity to borrow money, the rate of the inflation, and the exchange rates influence business and a countrys ability to communicate concerning that business.

Politics is a process by which groups of people make decisions. The term is generally applied to behavior within civil governments, but politics has been observed in all human group interactions, including corporate, academic and religious institutions

Be especially careful of religion beliefs within foreign countries. Although some basic beliefs overlap, there are major differences that, if not understood, can result even in personal harm.

Social norms are the behavioral expectations and cues within a society or group. This sociological term has been defined as "the rules that a group uses for appropriate and inappropriate values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors."

All agree: knowing the language of your host country is the most significant contributor to improved communication, on a personal and a business level.

All people value their individuals freedom. Often this freedom is expressed in their own ethnic diversity.

Everyone values time in their own way. Some people think that even one second changes the whole scenario. Most of the people ignore and put everything for tomorrow, while people are very discipline does work on the spot and are punctual.

People in Latin America and Middle east treat time more casually than do Americans, who usually prefer promptness. In some cultures business people take afternoon naps.

Different people have their own way of spacing. Some people feel comfortable in the crowded areas while others avoid to go to crowded areas.

Americans demand more room-buffer space. For e.g in elevators, some people feel uncomfortable if a stranger stands closer than 18 inches.

Different food is liked by different people. For e.g cheese may be a desert in France while Americans have cheese as their breakfast.

Pork is forbidden in middle east but is a part of Asian diet and that many other countries. Beef is hard to find in India Rice is ever pleasant-present in Hong Kong and China.

It is better to ask the mode of dress for an occasion in your host country than to risk making an embarrassing mistake.

In most American business males wear the business suit whereas women wear dresses or tailored suits. While doing hijaab in western countries may not be accepted, but in Middle East countries it is very necessary.

People say that you observe children in foreign cultures because by watching them you learn the behavioral habits of elders. Children shake hand in Germany, hug you in Italy, and often stay in the background in india.

In Europe you bring a gift when visiting most homes. When a person becomes sick you bring roses for the sick.

Everyone have their own way in decision making. Some people makes decision quick while others take time and they think a lot while taking decisions.

Volume varies culture to culture and country to country. Different voice volume shows different attitude of the human behavior.

What to us in loud and raucous, perhaps sounding like a fight, is considered normal and accepted by Arabs. While in America soft tone is used.

They say: Action speaks louder than the words A handshake is a traditional form of greeting in the west. While in India people do namaste while joining their hands together.

A thumb up sign in the United State is positive, while in Greece its negative.