... banking. While many prominent Filipinos have Chinese ances-
try, there is considerable hostility toward the Chinese dominance of
business.
Arab traders introduced Islam to the Philippines in ... Marcos
c. Corazon Aquino
ANSWER: b. Imelda Marcos was the wife of former president Ferdinand E. Marcos.
●
3
TIPS ON DOING BUSINESSIN THE PHILIPPINES
●
Titles are important to Filipinos—so important ... Filipinos do not arrange themselves in neat lines.
Instead, they form a pushing, shoving crowd, with each person
out for him- or herself. e only times that Filipinos have queued
in neat lines...
... your business partners to dinner, but not to a
luncheon. Expect to be invited to dinners and parties at the home
of your Filipino partner (unless he or she is Chinese; Chinese
rarely entertain ... visiting businessperson should be the rst to
oer a card.
●
If a Filipino gives you a business card with their home phone
handwritten upon it, take that as an invitation to call. Business
in ... popular in the Philippines at both lunch and din-
ner. If you are hosting a luncheon, be sure to provide a dessert.
●
Social events oen end with dancing and singing. Expect to be
invited to sing.
●
Despite...
... Philippines,
that nger is pointed at the person or thing being insulted.
●
Since pointing can easily be taken for an insulting gesture, Filipinos
rarely indicate objects or directions by pointing ...
traditions were suppressed, and Singapore was turned into a true
meritocracy.
Cultural Note
Foreigners are honored in the Philippines by being invited to family events: weddings,
anniversaries, baptisms, ... these stringent laws will ease
in the future, but to date, they are unfailingly enforced.
●
3
WHAT’S YOUR CULTURAL IQ?
1.
Which of the following is true about driving in Singapore?
a. Singapore...
... generally in the morning.
●
Always be on time for all business appointments. Making a Singa-
porean executive wait is insulting and impolite.
●
Try to schedule appointments at least two weeks in advance. ... yours).
●
Unwavering civility is the single most important attribute for suc-
cessful relationships in Singapore. However, diplomacy in no way
hinders the determination of Singaporean businesspeople to get ... 13).
Negotiating
●
e pace of business negotiations in Singapore may be slow com-
pared to the West. Be patient.
●
It would be unusual to complete a complicated business deal
in only one trip. Expect to...
... be in English as well.
●
e best times for business meetings are usually 10:00 to 11:00
.. and 2:00 to 3:00 .. Prior appointments are necessary. Busi-
ness dinners are common.
●
Korean businesspeople ...
missionaries. Instead, a Korean scholar studying in Beijing was
baptized a Catholic in 1777. It was this scholar, on his return, who
introduced Catholicism to Korea. Protestantism gained a foothold in ... widely
taught in schools. erefore, businesspeople are oen familiar with
English, especially in urban areas.
●
Koreans oen arrange one-on-one business meetings (as opposed
to the Japanese,...
... companies.
Information that should be proprietorial tends to leak during these drinking sessions. Volvo is
not the only foreign firm to have had problems in this arena.
Business Entertaining
●
e ... have
a mutual contact. Try to obtain a personal introduction.
and leaving them sticking out of rice is in bad taste, because this is
how oerings are made to ancestors.
●
Pass food with your ... Asia
Negotiating
●
At each meeting, take time to talk to your counterpart. e rst
meeting should be solely for that purpose; never jump right into
business discussions. Expect tea to be served...
... demands,
including giving ocial status to the Tamil language. But the militant
troops backed out on their agreement to surrender to the Indian
peacekeeping force. e ghting continued, and Indian ... employees during their
tea break, even if they are sitting at their desks. No business is
conducted during the tea break.
●
Many introductory business appointments are held over meals.
Lunch in a ... purity was historically a main reason for segregating interaction between castes.
The Sri Lankan View
When Buddhism went into decline in India, Sri Lanka emerged as
a Buddhist stronghold in southern...
... sensitive to their viewpoints about the disaster, but refrain
from oering your opinions on rebuilding, international aid, etc.
●
3
PROTOCOL
Greetings
●
e traditional greeting is to place ... intricately interconnected, the
PRC continues to issue threatening statements regarding the inadvisability of the “secession
of Taiwan.” Despite these declarations, the Taiwanese continue to hold onto ... China. Foreign nations wishing to establish diplomatic rela-
tions with a government of China had two choices: to recognize the
“Republic of China” or to recognize the People’s Republic of China...
... rst person,
“I,” Chinese will point to their noses to indicate the same thing.
Gifts
●
Gi giving is oen practiced within a business setting. Good gis
for a rst trip include items with small ... are expected to be punctual to meetings. Do not get
upset, however, if your counterpart is late.
●
Evening entertainment is an important part of doing businessin
Taiwan, so expect to be out ... lightly in the beginning, because there could be up
to twenty courses served. Expect your host to keep lling your
bowl with food whenever you empty it. Finishing all of your food
is an insult to...
... (Songkran) is held in April, and
businesses close for an entire week.
●
Call and e-mail as far in advance is it is as possible for you to
arrange appointments.
●
Arrange for a letter of introduction, ... businesspeople may be over lunch
or drinks, so they can get to know you. However, do not expect to
discuss business during lunch.
●
Because of the ai deference to rank and authority, requests and ... printed
in Bangkok.)
●
ai businesspeople will be impressed if you learn even a few
words of ai.
●
If someone begins laughing for no apparent reason in a business
meeting, change the subject....
...
combat in 1965 by President Johnson. e level of U.S. forces in Viet-
nam peaked at 534,000 in 1969. Widespread opposition to the war
led politicians in Washington, DC, to attempt to replace ... them to
shake your hand. If you need to give something to a monk, place it in front of him, or give it to a
man to pass along. Monks are not expected to thank you for a contribution either—however, ... providing you with a means to better your life today, and in the
future.
●
3
PROTOCOL
Greetings
●
e graceful, traditional ai greeting is called a wai. Press your
hands together as though in...
... puppets—or drinking. While the Vietnamese are usually happy
to welcome foreigners into their bars and beer gardens, keep in mind that they have a number
of drinking games. You’re in trouble when ... rushed.
Business Entertaining
●
Your Vietnamese host will give at least one meal in your honor.
You should return the favor by hosting a meal at an international
hotel or ne restaurant.
●
Business ... are now in a race with the challenger to drain your drink! Of course, as
soon as you drain that one, several more Vietnamese will undoubtedly challenge you again.
●
3
PROTOCOL
Greetings
●
e...
... title than to omit one.
Indian Naming Conventions
●
India’s naming conventions are changing. For example, the
southern region of India seems to be gradually moving toward
the naming customs of ... with Chinese
parents, or those who grew up in China), to “Advanced Business Chi-
nese,” which includes accent modication for Chinese-Americans
who need to adjust their pronunciation and in ections ... in ections in order to
communicate eectively with native Chinese. One interesting aspect
of the “sustained training” that Cartus recommends is that it must
be stimulating enough to motivate...