книги / Business English for Students of Technical Universities

i)to be important, monetary or materially worth a lot;

j)something that is suitable or acceptable for a particular situation.

Tips: for extra reading, follow the links:

https://dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3670249/Don-t-flush-loo-roll-never-finish- food-ll-rude-25-potential-culture-shocks-world-avoid-them.html https://dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3557761/Etiquette-guide-reveals-dos-don-ts-British- manners.html

http://ediplomat.com/np/cultural_etiquette/ce_gb.htm http://ediplomat.com/np/cultural_etiquette/ce_de.htm http://textappeal.com/cultureshocks/multilingual-seo/ https://forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2014/12/03/how-often-are-americans-late-for-work- infographic/#5aa46686db4b https://forbes.com/sites/victorlipman/2016/06/09/the-most-ethical-and-unethical-countries-to-do- business-in/#1db11e017230

https://thoughtco.com/chinese-gift-giving-what-not-to-buy-687458

Task 5. Read the following text and check the meaning of the words in bold at Quizlet web site: https://quizlet.com/_6y8yqm (it’s a free website or an app. It works without any registration. You don’t have to buy any extra options there.)

Business Etiquette Across the Globe:

How to Navigate the Culture Shock

The world continues to become a smaller place as digital technologies transcend oceans and dissolve borders, allowing corporations to forge international relationships and partnerships that would otherwise have been missed opportunities. These modern-day miracles do not come without their complications, however, as business etiquette can greatly differ from region to region. Culture shocks from around the world can often lead to potential business associates embarrassing themselves and completely ruining deals. Here are some of the most prominent business culture shocks from around the world.

International Styles of Communication

Proper communication is the basis of every relationship, business or otherwise, and needs to be effectively managed. If a company representative is unaware of a certain territory’s style of conversation or negotiation, it could be detrimental to the way foreign business leaders view them and their brand.

In American culture, it is considered normal to ask about a business prospect’s day and “how they are doing”. This is often viewed as a way of showing that they are interested in both the personal well-being of an individual and of their

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business. Countries like Spain are also quite receptive to discussing personal matters as family and relationships are highly valued.

In the United Kingdom, however, delving into more intimate exchanges is somewhat frowned upon. Additionally, these folks are less inclined to retain eye contact during a dialogue, a tendency that would be considered disrespectful in the States.

Similarly, countries like Germany and Japan are all about business. Asking personal or emotional questions to business colleagues in Japan is inappropriate and makes one look foolish.

More than just the type of questions that are asked, it is also necessary to be mindful of the verbosity that is used. In places like Japan and India, the word “no” is viewed as rude and disrespectful; it is best to use phrases like “maybe” or “possibly”.

Body language also plays a huge role in international business communications. Much as the Brits have no time for “niceties” around personal conversation, they also prefer their personal space, similar to Americans and Chinese business people. If corporate dealings are taken to Brazil, however, you may be in for a bit of a culture shock as Brazilians are accustomed to physical contact during conversations. It is seen as a sign of trust between business partners, so they may end up standing closer than what feels comfortable for some; take this as a good sign.

The Art of an On-Time Arrival

Punctuality is another valued trait in American culture. If an individual is late to an important meeting, they are viewed as disrespectful and unreliable.

Business folk in Germany and Australia share a similar viewpoint. These people are extremely hard workers and their time is perceived to be valuable. If you are late for a meeting in Germany, you may have jeopardized the deal. While these cultures value punctuality, this is not the case in other parts of the globe.

In Italy, punctuality is more of a casual ideal. In this part of the world, meetings frequently get off to a late start.

France and India are similar in this regard, as things can typically be delayed due to a late arrival. Despite this, staying late is a common practice.

The same can be said for business meetings in Brazil; they may get started late, but often can last longer than expected. To avoid being seen as rude or disinterested, be sure not to excuse yourself early.

On the other hand, places like Morocco, Nigeria, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia place zero importance on early or punctual arrival at meetings. In most

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of these countries, it is completely acceptable to arrive 30 minutes or more “late” to a meeting. In Saudi Arabia, it’s even considered rude to look at one’s watch during conversation.

As a best practice, avoid tardiness no matter what area of the world you are in. It is better to play it safe than to risk offending a potential business partner.

Global Gift Giving Formalities

Another culture shock from around the world comes in the form of gifts. Supplying a business acquaintance with a gift is perceived differently in different cultures, and even the types of gifts that are given could be misconstrued.

For example, it would seem appropriate and somewhat obvious to give a watch as a business gift. In China, however, this represents death. Additionally, black, blue, and white wrapping paper should always be avoided. When giving a gift in China, present it with both hands, as is customary.

In Japan, this courtesy is expected but also needs to be presented properly. It is rude to attempt to give a gift that is unwrapped. It is also advisable to carry the offering in a bag to avoid appearing to show off. Moreover, gifts should be discreetly presented toward the closure of a meeting and presented with both hands, as is done in China. Some great items to give would include cuff links or high-quality alcohols like cognac or brandy.

Places like France and Italy are less enthusiastic about presents. In these countries, gifts are typically only exchanged after business partnerships have long been established.

In the United Kingdom, gifts are not typically given. The only scenarios this takes place in is when visiting someone’s home; in which case, bring a small gift, like flowers, for the hostess.

Saudi Arabia, however, has different gift habits. For these folks, exchanges only occur between extremely close colleagues and are often extravagant items. Be wary, however, as if the present is for a Saudi man, gold and silk would not be acceptable; silver is much more appropriate.

No matter which country you are headed to, it is important to understand what role gifts play in their culture and what type should be offered. It would be awfully awkward and potentially disastrous not to present a gift to someone who is expecting one.

Conducting business with foreign partners can be a complex and strange dance. It is necessary to properly research ethics and rituals, learn a bit of the language, and properly understand the customs of the region. Culture shocks from across the world vary greatly from region to region and should be

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respected and honoured. If you fail to show esteem, grace, and reverence towards individuals in a land foreign to your own, your chances of gaining a new business partner are greatly diminished.

Tip:

At home, use Quizlet to learn new words. Get ready for a vocabulary test.

Task 6. Read the following statements and put TRUE (T) or FALSE (F). Correct the wrong ones.

1)Business etiquette is a complication; there is no need to spend time on it.

2)Each country has its own culture, style of conversation and negotiation.

3)In Spain, you should never discuss personal matters with your partners.

4)In the USA and UK, it’s considered disrespectful to keep an eye contact with people.

5)Personal and emotional questions will be appropriate with German and Japanese businessmen.

6)In India and Japan, they avoid saying “NO”; instead, they use “MAYBE”.

7)It’s a good sign, if a Brazilian manager taps you on your shoulder from time to time, as it’s a sign of trust.

8)In Italy, Germany and Australia it’s a common practice to be late for a meeting.

9)If you chose a gift for a good Chinese partner, buy him a watch.

10)If you meet your British partner for the first time, don’t forget to bring him a “matreshka” to become friends.

Task 7. Follow the link https://quizlet.com/420322270/match and do the match. How much time have you spent to do the match? Compare your result with your groupmates’. Who was the best in your group?

Task 8. Find synonyms or equivalents of the following words and expressions in the text:

•value – …

•awkward – …

•decrease – …

•to risk something – …

•respect – …

•wordiness – …

•showing no respect – …

•terrible – …

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•in due manner – …

•open a gift – …

•often – …

•opinion – …

•someone you can’t rely on – …

•very big – …

•impolite – …

•not know about something – …

Task 9. In the text you have read above, find some examples of the words having negative prefixes mentioned in the following table. Write them down in your exercise books and give their translations into Russian.

Those negative prefixes change meaning of a word into the opposite one.

Task 10. Fill in the gaps using the appropriate form of the words from the box:

2)If you don’t understand a foreign language, but a man starts to you, most probably, it means you are doing something wrong.

5)Our world is so diverse and full of different cultures which each other very much.

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10) In China, they cook noodles for birthdays, as noodles are a

___ long life.

Think of some common rules that foreign businesspersons should follow while working in Russia. Give an advice of business interaction with their Russian partners in a sentence containing the last expression in the box that has not been used.

Task 11. Read the “REAL LIFE BUSINESS ETIQUETTE MISTAKES” given below. Put the verbs in brackets in correct tenses. To revise tenses, use these tables.

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11C. Put the verbs in brackets into Present Simple, Past Simple, Past Continuous.

“I ___ ________ (meet) with a prospective client in-home about setting up a new policy. When he __________ (answer) the door, he ________ (invite) me in, but ________ (ask) that I _______ (take) my shoes off. He _____ (to be) Japanese. I _________ (believe) now that it ___ (to be) customary not to _________ (wear) shoes during home meetings. I __________ (not think) much of it until I

___________ (realize) that I ____ ____________ (wear) an old pair of socks with a hole in one. We ____________ (continue) with the appointment, but I ________

(to be sure) he noticed my unkept socks.”

11D. Put the verbs in brackets into Present Simple, Past Simple, Present Simple Passive.

“My charity ___ ______(base) in Africa, so understanding the right etiquette when you ________ (do) business is the key. I ________ (find) Zimbabwe unusual at first, discussions barely _______ (keep) on topic and during meetings relatives

______ (walk) in and out, seeming really sceptical of why I ______ (to be) there. Eating local food without hesitation _________ (play) a huge role when winning over business.”

11E. Put the verbs in brackets into Present Simple, Past Simple, Present Continuous.

“A few years ago, I ____ _________ (visit) our customer in Los Angeles for the first time to _______ (find) out how they ___ ______ (use) our products: what they ______ (like) about it and what we _______ _______ (can improve) I

_________ (schedule) several meetings via email and it __________ (seem) to me that I _____ (to be) very clear about my intentions to chat about the product experience. However, one gentleman I ______ (meet), _______ (seem) to assume we were on a date. He ________ (insist) that he _______ (pay) for everything and

__________ (admit) to not even using the product. So the whole meeting ______

(to be) a bit awkward and I ____ (not) really understand the dynamic until later. I just __________ (think) that Americans _____ (to be) way too friendly.”

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Task 12. Make some recommendations for the business people in Task 11A by matching the awkward situations in 11A with the “TOP TEN EXPERT TIPS TO AVOID AWKWARD SITUATIONS ABROAD” given below.

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Task 13. In the “TOP TEN TIPS”, find the sentences in Present Simple Passive. Write these sentences on the board. Then transform these sentences into: Past Simple Passive; Future Simple Passive; Present Continuous Passive; Present Perfect Passive; Past Perfect Passive; Future Perfect Passive. Use the table below to revise this grammar.

Task 14. Look at the table explaining the Conditionals. Transform the “TOP TEN TIPS” into 1st, 2nd, 3rd conditionals. Students A transform the tips with odd numbers, and Students B transform the tips with even numbers.

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