Business Card Exchange Protocol Japan June 4, 2011

While we were learning about business practice protocol for differing countries and culture, I found it quite interesting that you should learn every small detail, even to how you exchange business cards with another culture. As shown in the article Japanese Business Card Protocol, for the Japanese culture, you must present the card standing up with both hands and make a slight bow after you do so.

Considering that I am pursuing a possible career in international business, I will need to sufficiently study the business culture of the places where I am traveling. Before taking this class, I was not aware of all the various steps one should go through in order to conduct business in another country. This class really opened my eyes to the fact that there are significant differences in business practices across the globe.

Healthcare Herbal Practices in India

The rising popularity of homeopathic remedies and homeopathic doctors in the United States made me think more about one of the topics we discussed in class, the use of differing types of medicine and medical practices, as shown in the article, “Do Doctors Eat Brains?.” Many of our beliefs about homeopathic remedies result from the country of India, where there are numerous herbal remedies for almost every type of sickness. However, in additional to herbal remedies, India also practices secular medicine.

One of the primary influences of the types of health practices utilized is the religion of the culture. For example, in India, the herbal remedies are influenced by Hinduism in that their medicinal remedies are a responses to what they believe the person is experiencing and the outside influences that are present in that person’s life. As in India, many other cultures still practice more ancient methods based on previous beliefs and superstitions. When going into another country, we need to be aware of these differing practices before we try to institute our own system of medicine and immunizations.

Cultural Lessons from Movies June 3, 2011

After watching the film “Departures” in class, I began to think about the role that culture plays in movies.

In some instances, movies do a good job of enlightening us about different cultures and accurately reflecting those cultures, which are two difficult feats for producers. Two examples of these types of movies are “Slumdog Millionaire” (Indian culture) and “The Gods Must Be Crazy” (African culture). Since movies are quite powerful and widespread, it is important to accurately reflect the culture that is included in the film.

However, many times, movies do not reflect the culture in an effective manner. Two examples of this are “Geronimo” (Native American culture) and “Karate Kid” with Jaden Smith (Chinese culture). A lot of prejudices, stereotypes, and discrimination may result from the images given and produced my movies. For example, before the civil rights movement, African Americans were generally and inaccurately portrayed as illiterate.

In order to accurately portray cultures, movie producers need to be mindful of the cultures they include in their movie.

Being Drunk a British Cultural Characteristic? June 2, 2011

A new study by Optimum Research UK has shown that around 25% of British people think that being drunk is part of the British culture. The poll showed that more people thought that being drunk made you more British than having a hard working attitude towards life. I thought these results were quite shocking considering that in the past Great Britain has been known to have a highly sophisticated culture (tea, royalty, well mannered, etc) with a rich history and magnificent cities as London. This study shows that the people who live in the culture and those outside of the culture have differing perceptions of their own culture, whether negative or positive. I found this article to be quite enlightening in understanding differing perceptions.  

Dispute with China Over Email Hacking

 

 

 

Currently, the FBI is investigating allegations that computer hackers in China broke into Google’s email system. However, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton had no comment on reports of China’s involvement. “Allegations that the Chinese government supports hacking activities are completely unfounded and made with ulterior motives,” said Chinese officials. The intrusion last year targeted Google’s own security systems and triggered a high-profile battle with China’s Communist government over online censorship.

This current issue exemplifies the importance of being aware of intercultural communications because with such a high profile issue, one needs to be respectful and not accusatory. I think it was smart of Hillary Clinton to refrain from making any accusations until more information is gained on the issue. Nonetheless, the Chinese have become very defensive because of other comments made that the Chinese government supports hacking. In order to be effective in solving this issue, they need to be aware of culture and respectful of their differing political opinions and affiliations.

 

 

Hacking Google – China

Engrish Sign May 26, 2011

This amusing sign is found in Taipei, Taiwan. While it may make sense in their language, it does not make much sense in English. In fact, there are multiple websites (like http://www.engrish.com) that collect translation issues like this one. Thus, there are not only translation issues when the United States advertises in other countries, but also when other countries try to translate important messages into English. It seems as if language is still one of the greatest barriers in intercultural communications.

Brazilian leader suspends anti-homophobia campaign

Although Brazil’s top court recently ruled that same sex marriages must be recognized, the government and religious groups of Brazil are still against this move and aims to suspend anti-homophobia campaigning. The government of Brazil seems to portray high-uncertainty avoidance in this matter. Even though Brazil is quite a diverse country, they are still not accepting of this issue. This is interesting because unlike the US, even though many government officials support gay rights, many courts are not pushing for same sex marriage legislation. Brazilian leader suspends anti-homophobia campaign.

Israeli rebuke of Obama exposes divide on Mideast May 21, 2011

Israeli rebuke of Obama exposes divide on Mideast

Obama’s recent speech regarding Israel and Palestine has led to increased tension in US-Israel relations. Obama proposed that the borders should be moved back to the 1967 borders. This change would give back Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. It seems as if Obama is not on the side of Israel, as this giveback of land would leave Israel almost defenseless. The Golan Heights is a major buffer between Syria and Israel and it prevents missiles coming over into northern Israel. Does Obama really want to severe the good relations that we have had with Israel for the past century or so? Does he understand that a large part of his constituency is Democrat Israelis? I do not understand why Obama favors the Middle East over Israel. As stated in the article, “Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bluntly told President Barack Obama on Friday his vision of how to achieve Middle East peace was unrealistic, exposing a deep divide that could doom any U.S. bid to revive peace talks.”

KFC Translation Issue May 19, 2011

When Kentucky Fried Chicken entered the Chinese market, to their horror they discovered that their slogan “finger lickin’ good” came out as “eat your fingers off.” We discussed some similar examples in class. I think that it is funny at how often these type of mishaps occur. Since America is based on fast-based business and marketing, instead of taking time to analyze their marketing schemes, they launch their fast put together campaigns. This results in campaigns an offensive or opposite message than what they intend, most of the times coming out slightly funny. The message is that companies need to spend more time learning the culture and their language before they conduct business and advertising there.

Dealing with reverse culture shock

While reading about culture shock, I found it interesting that one can also experience reverse culture shock. For example, when I was in Costa Rica, one significant difference was the fact that you could not throw toilet paper in the toilet, you had to throw it in the garbage can, which seemed to be uncleanly to me. However, after a while I got used to it and it became normal to me. When I came back, it surprisingly took me a while to not throw the toilet paper in the garbage anymore. I had to readjust to my own home culture.

The article I found deals with Peace Corps volunteers having a difficult time coming back to the United States because they are so accustomed to the culture that they served in, even to the extent that they had a hard time writing in English when they came home.

Article: Dealing with reverse culture shock