{"id":331,"date":"2022-04-04T16:00:02","date_gmt":"2022-04-04T16:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/chapter\/countries\/"},"modified":"2022-04-04T16:00:02","modified_gmt":"2022-04-04T16:00:02","slug":"countries","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/chapter\/countries\/","title":{"raw":"Countries","rendered":"Countries"},"content":{"raw":"\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\n<h3>Learning Outcomes<\/h3>\n<ul>\n \t<li>Discuss how cultural differences among individuals from different countries may influence communication<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-3355\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2785\/2018\/04\/25001907\/flags-3280311_1920-e1525291976468.jpg\" alt=\"decorative image\" width=\"301\" height=\"248\">\n\nWith the possible exception of math, there is no universal system of communication. Each country\u2014and, in some cases, regions of countries\u2014has different languages, business practices, and social customs. What is a common or established communication behavior or business practice in the United States cannot be assumed to be appropriate behavior or communication elsewhere. And, as we will see in the next section, the expectations of other cultures can have a significant impact on how American businesses communicate and operate not only abroad but at home.\n\nDifferences in business etiquette and nonverbal communication account for the majority of culturally-related communication errors. In her \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/smallbusiness.chron.com\/cross-cultural-business-etiquette-2907.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cross-Cultural Business Etiquette<\/a>\u201d article for Chron.com, Lisa Magloff highlights the five primary areas of difference and potential miscommunication:\n<ol>\n \t<li><strong>Clothing:<\/strong> managing the first impression<\/li>\n \t<li><strong>Conversation:<\/strong> appropriate business and ice-breaker conversation<\/li>\n \t<li><strong>Greeting:<\/strong> local customs and expectations, including greeting style\u2014the distinctions that inspired the title of the best-selling guide to business etiquette and practices, <em>Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands<\/em><\/li>\n \t<li><strong>Forms of address:<\/strong> level of formality and use of titles and degrees<\/li>\n \t<li><strong>Time and Space:<\/strong> interpretations of \u201con time,\u201d personal space, and physical contact.[footnote]Magloff, Lisa. \"<a href=\"http:\/\/smallbusiness.chron.com\/cross-cultural-business-etiquette-2907.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cross-Cultural Business Etiquette<\/a>,\" <em>Chron<\/em>. Web. 26 June 2018.[\/footnote]<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nDifferent countries may also have different interpretations of nonverbal communication. Non-verbal communication includes gestures; body movement, including eye contact; and decorative and functional objects, from clothing and equipment to furniture and furnishings. To illustrate the differences, let\u2019s focus on gestures. The relative brevity of a gesture as communication belies its potential impact.\n\nFor many Americans, gestures are a cross-cultural communication blind spot. For example, flashing a peace sign, a benign gesture meaning \u201cpeace\u201d or \u201cgoodbye\u201d in the United States is perceived as insulting and a provocation in Australia, New Zealand and the UK.[footnote]Tullos, Jolie. <a href=\"https:\/\/prezi.com\/mdnrj4jxakg6\/hand-gestures-and-miscommunications\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Hand Gestures and Miscommunications<\/em><\/a>, 13 Jan 2014. Web. 26 June 2018.[\/footnote] Another translation failure: the thumbs up sign. In America, \u201cthumbs up\u201d is a positive gesture, conveying \u201cgood job!\u201d or agreement. In a number of countries and regions including Greece, Latin America, Russia, Southern Italy, and West Africa, the thumbs up gesture is tantamount to giving a person the middle finger.\n\nAs Jolie Tullos concludes \u201cas a form of language, a gesture can be just as if not more powerful than words themselves\u201d [and] the miscommunication of hand gestures can be the difference between a greeting or the invitation to a fight.\u201d[footnote]Ibid.[\/footnote]\n<div class=\"textbox tryit\">\n<h3>Practice Question<\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/assessments.lumenlearning.com\/assessments\/8694\n\n<\/div>\n<h2>Contribute!<\/h2><div style=\"margin-bottom: 8px;\">Did you have an idea for improving this content? We\u2019d love your input.<\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1ZZrw8WCgEjIYfiRy1c2gA2IndZLuFZXOzsD362OFv2g\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-weight: 600; color: #077fab; text-decoration: none; border: 2px solid #077fab; border-radius: 7px; padding: 5px 25px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; line-height: 1.5em;\">Improve this page<\/a><a style=\"margin-left: 16px;\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1vy-T6DtTF-BbMfpVEI7VP_R7w2A4anzYZLXR8Pk4Fu4\">Learn More<\/a>\n","rendered":"<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\n<h3>Learning Outcomes<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Discuss how cultural differences among individuals from different countries may influence communication<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-3355\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2785\/2018\/04\/25001907\/flags-3280311_1920-e1525291976468.jpg\" alt=\"decorative image\" width=\"301\" height=\"248\" \/><\/p>\n<p>With the possible exception of math, there is no universal system of communication. Each country\u2014and, in some cases, regions of countries\u2014has different languages, business practices, and social customs. What is a common or established communication behavior or business practice in the United States cannot be assumed to be appropriate behavior or communication elsewhere. And, as we will see in the next section, the expectations of other cultures can have a significant impact on how American businesses communicate and operate not only abroad but at home.<\/p>\n<p>Differences in business etiquette and nonverbal communication account for the majority of culturally-related communication errors. In her \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/smallbusiness.chron.com\/cross-cultural-business-etiquette-2907.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cross-Cultural Business Etiquette<\/a>\u201d article for Chron.com, Lisa Magloff highlights the five primary areas of difference and potential miscommunication:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Clothing:<\/strong> managing the first impression<\/li>\n<li><strong>Conversation:<\/strong> appropriate business and ice-breaker conversation<\/li>\n<li><strong>Greeting:<\/strong> local customs and expectations, including greeting style\u2014the distinctions that inspired the title of the best-selling guide to business etiquette and practices, <em>Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands<\/em><\/li>\n<li><strong>Forms of address:<\/strong> level of formality and use of titles and degrees<\/li>\n<li><strong>Time and Space:<\/strong> interpretations of \u201con time,\u201d personal space, and physical contact.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Magloff, Lisa. &quot;Cross-Cultural Business Etiquette,&quot; Chron. Web. 26 June 2018.\" id=\"return-footnote-331-1\" href=\"#footnote-331-1\" aria-label=\"Footnote 1\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[1]<\/sup><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Different countries may also have different interpretations of nonverbal communication. Non-verbal communication includes gestures; body movement, including eye contact; and decorative and functional objects, from clothing and equipment to furniture and furnishings. To illustrate the differences, let\u2019s focus on gestures. The relative brevity of a gesture as communication belies its potential impact.<\/p>\n<p>For many Americans, gestures are a cross-cultural communication blind spot. For example, flashing a peace sign, a benign gesture meaning \u201cpeace\u201d or \u201cgoodbye\u201d in the United States is perceived as insulting and a provocation in Australia, New Zealand and the UK.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Tullos, Jolie. Hand Gestures and Miscommunications, 13 Jan 2014. Web. 26 June 2018.\" id=\"return-footnote-331-2\" href=\"#footnote-331-2\" aria-label=\"Footnote 2\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[2]<\/sup><\/a> Another translation failure: the thumbs up sign. In America, \u201cthumbs up\u201d is a positive gesture, conveying \u201cgood job!\u201d or agreement. In a number of countries and regions including Greece, Latin America, Russia, Southern Italy, and West Africa, the thumbs up gesture is tantamount to giving a person the middle finger.<\/p>\n<p>As Jolie Tullos concludes \u201cas a form of language, a gesture can be just as if not more powerful than words themselves\u201d [and] the miscommunication of hand gestures can be the difference between a greeting or the invitation to a fight.\u201d<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Ibid.\" id=\"return-footnote-331-3\" href=\"#footnote-331-3\" aria-label=\"Footnote 3\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[3]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox tryit\">\n<h3>Practice Question<\/h3>\n<p>\t<iframe id=\"lumen_assessment_8694\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/assessments.lumenlearning.com\/assessments\/load?assessment_id=8694&#38;embed=1&#38;external_user_id=&#38;external_context_id=&#38;iframe_resize_id=lumen_assessment_8694\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;width:100%;height:100%;min-height:400px;\"><br \/>\n\t<\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Contribute!<\/h2>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 8px;\">Did you have an idea for improving this content? We\u2019d love your input.<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1ZZrw8WCgEjIYfiRy1c2gA2IndZLuFZXOzsD362OFv2g\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-weight: 600; color: #077fab; text-decoration: none; border: 2px solid #077fab; border-radius: 7px; padding: 5px 25px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; line-height: 1.5em;\">Improve this page<\/a><a style=\"margin-left: 16px;\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1vy-T6DtTF-BbMfpVEI7VP_R7w2A4anzYZLXR8Pk4Fu4\">Learn More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-331\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Original<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Countries. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Nina Burokas. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Lumen Learning. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Globe, people, flags. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Geralt. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Pixabay. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/en\/flags-personal-about-world-earth-3280311\/\">https:\/\/pixabay.com\/en\/flags-personal-about-world-earth-3280311\/<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/about\/cc0\">CC0: No Rights Reserved<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section><hr class=\"before-footnotes clear\" \/><div class=\"footnotes\"><ol><li id=\"footnote-331-1\">Magloff, Lisa. \"<a href=\"http:\/\/smallbusiness.chron.com\/cross-cultural-business-etiquette-2907.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cross-Cultural Business Etiquette<\/a>,\" <em>Chron<\/em>. Web. 26 June 2018. <a href=\"#return-footnote-331-1\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 1\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-331-2\">Tullos, Jolie. <a href=\"https:\/\/prezi.com\/mdnrj4jxakg6\/hand-gestures-and-miscommunications\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Hand Gestures and Miscommunications<\/em><\/a>, 13 Jan 2014. Web. 26 June 2018. <a href=\"#return-footnote-331-2\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 2\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-331-3\">Ibid. <a href=\"#return-footnote-331-3\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 3\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div>","protected":false},"author":395986,"menu_order":8,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"original\",\"description\":\"Countries\",\"author\":\"Nina Burokas\",\"organization\":\"Lumen Learning\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Globe, people, flags\",\"author\":\"Geralt\",\"organization\":\"Pixabay\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/en\/flags-personal-about-world-earth-3280311\/\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc0\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","CANDELA_OUTCOMES_GUID":"68fd7861-857e-4cd7-ae59-fd233dd5104f, 14ecc414-4a42-41ec-bcd1-e347d46ca3a2","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-331","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":323,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/331","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/395986"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/331\/revisions"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/323"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/331\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=331"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=331"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=331"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=331"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}