UNIT 11 - Cultural differences
In this unit you will learn how to talk about your national culture with business guests and give advice to a visitor.
STARTING OUT
Listen to a tourist guide talk about famous places in Bangkok, Thailand, and choose the tab that brings only the correct information.
There aren’t many interesting things to see in Bangkok.
You can only see modern Thai art in the Grand Palace.
The temple of the Emerald Buddha is next to the Grand Palace.
You should wear casual clothes when visiting the temple.
You should always wear sandals when you enter the temple.
There are many interesting things to see in Bangkok.
You can see traditional Thai art in the Grand Palace.
The temple of the Emerald Buddha is inside the Grand Palace.
You shouldn’t wear casual clothes when visiting the temple.
You should always take off your shoes before you enter the temple.
There are many interesting things to see in Bangkok.
You can’t see traditional Thai art in the Grand Palace.
The temple of the Emerald Buddha isn’t inside the Grand Palace.
You shouldn’t wear short dress or skirt when visiting the temple.
You should always wear sleeveless T-shirt to enter the temple.
Now listen again and repeat. Then, record yourself as the tour guide and send the audio to you teacher and to your colleagues.
LET'S TALK
Listen to this conversation between a foreign executive and his Brazilian hostess and check the words and expressions you know. The new ones will be ADVICE and MEAT STEW.
Now listen again and do yourself the Brazilian executive’s part as many times as necessary for a good performance. Then, record it and send the audio to your teacher.
LISTEN TO ME
Listen to executives talking about places they visited. Then, choose the tab that best represents a summary of the information you hear.
CHOOSE ONE
When you go to a business meeting in Malaysia you should wear a jacket, but men don’t usually wear a tie to work.
If Chinese managers invite you to a banquet, they don’t expect you invite them back to another one.
Meetings in Cuba are very formal and managers start discussing business right away.
When you go to a social event in Malaysia you should wear a jacket, but men don’t usually wear a jacket to work.
If Chinese managers invite you to a banquet, they expect you invite them back to another one.
Meetings in Cuba are very informal and relaxed, as well as very long.
When you go to a social event in Malaysia you should wear a short-sleeved shirt, but men don’t usually wear them to work.
If Chinese managers invite you to a banquet, they expect you invite them back to a more sophisticated one.
Meetings in Cuba aren’t very long because managers don’t like to talk.
LET'S READ
Business cultures
In the United States, expressions like “time is money” and “let’s go to the point” are part of the business culture and managers like to have direct discussions, including open disagreement and quick decisions.
In Latin American countries, good plans and technical knowledge are important, but you should make strong social connections first. Managers like to do business with individuals they know and like.
Politeness and respect
However, in East Asian countries, the most important thing to remember is never disagree openly with someone in a meeting, which can cause embarrassment and mistrust.
LISTEN AGAIN
Listen to the audio with measures and write the equivalences you hear. Then, check your answers with your colleagues.
UP TO YOU
How do you entertain a business visitor?
What tourist places or attractions are a must see?
Which events shouldn’t a foreign visitor miss?
Have you ever traveled abroad on business?
How important is the knowledge of the country’s traditions for business?
How about the local language?
SUMMARIZING
Acre
Advice
Banquet
Building
Casual clothes
Disagree/disagreement
Embarrassment/Mistrust
Entertain
Foot/feet
Inch
Knowledge
Measure
Meat stew
Mile
Miss
Politeness
Right away
Short dress/skirt
Short-sleeved shirt
Sleeveless T-shirt
Square
Take off one’s shoes/sandals
Temple
Tie
Trip
Yard
