Communicating Across Cultures
As we know that this world is huge and it’s important to know about the difference in culture
between your country and the other country you are living, visiting or working in. If you don’t know the social customs, you may make mistake and offend people round you.
between your country and the other country you are living, visiting or working in. If you don’t know the social customs, you may make mistake and offend people round you.Praying for example in Cambodia
, we usually put our hands together as well as to greet each other when we first meet with a smiling face. This first-rate custom make everyone know that Khmer
is a dignified race and very friendly. So you are expected do the same back to them as you are in this country.
, we usually put our hands together as well as to greet each other when we first meet with a smiling face. This first-rate custom make everyone know that Khmer is a dignified race and very friendly. So you are expected do the same back to them as you are in this country.Another example is handshaking. In France
, they shake hands much more than in the UK-every day, so you mustn’t forget to do that. Food and wine is very important in this country and at a business
lunch you shouldn’t start discussing right away. That might be considered bad manners. On the other hand, coming late to a meeting in Britain
maybe acceptable as they often arrive five or ten minutes late for a meeting. But in Germany
you mustn’t be late because people are normally very punctual in work situations. They usually arrive at the organized time or earlier. Another difference is that you shouldn’t try to be humorous or make jokes with people you do not know very well because it might make them feel not comfortable as you don’t know each other well yet. In Japan
you should take plenty of business card with you because they usually swap cards at the beginning of a meeting and they always read your card very carefully. Make sure to do the same when you are with them.
, they shake hands much more than in the UK-every day, so you mustn’t forget to do that. Food and wine is very important in this country and at a business lunch you shouldn’t start discussing right away. That might be considered bad manners. On the other hand, coming late to a meeting in Britain maybe acceptable as they often arrive five or ten minutes late for a meeting. But in Germany you mustn’t be late because people are normally very punctual in work situations. They usually arrive at the organized time or earlier. Another difference is that you shouldn’t try to be humorous or make jokes with people you do not know very well because it might make them feel not comfortable as you don’t know each other well yet. In Japan you should take plenty of business card with you because they usually swap cards at the beginning of a meeting and they always read your card very carefully. Make sure to do the same when you are with them.To sum up, in this world there are many things to learn and to do in order to be well prepared when you are out of the country. It is therefore very useful for you to know and to avoid making any mistake without learning.
In Cambodia
we usually put hands together to greet each other when we first meet with a smiling face.
we usually put hands together to greet each other when we first meet with a smiling face.People shake hands to greet each other when they meet in Europe.
By: Mrs. Ly Sokphima
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Reference :
- Norton
University Newsletter, September 2010 / January 2011, Page: 6.
University Newsletter, September 2010 / January 2011, Page: 6.