Name

Statement about name

True or False (with explanation)

Kim Sue

You’re conducting an online meeting to which members of your new South Korean team have been invited. Kim Sue, one of the lower-ranking members of the team, hardly says anything. This is probably because South Korea has high power distance and she doesn’t want to exceed her authority.

True.

As per Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions, South Korea is known to have high power distance due to which employees of a lower rank just act as a medium of information transfer for the higher authorities and can’t come to a statement without the permission of their bosses.

Mohammad Azur

During your second meeting with Mohammad Azure, one of your overseas investors, you say, “The profit from the rollout of our new product should more than make up for the downturn in sales last year.” You should probably have worded this comment differently for easier understanding.

True.

This is irrespective of any culture. Be it a high context or low context culture, the statements should be such that they are easily understood, especially by people belonging to a foreign culture.

Ms. Pepino

You’re a business consultant in your first meeting with Ms. Pepino, president of an Italian company that manufactures designer shoes. When describing a management problem she’s having, Ms. Pepino gestures animatedly with her hands, makes intense facial expressions, and raises her voice. You should try to calm her down by making your own behavior unemotional.

False.

As per Trompenaars’ Cultural Model, Italians are affective in their mode of communication. They tend to communicated via lot of verbal & non-verbal signs. Thus, Ms. Pepino’s behavior is quite normal and she doesn’t need to be calmed down.

Mr. Alvera

Today you arrived for your second meeting with Mr. Alvera at his office in Rio de Janeio, Brazil. He arrived 20 mins late, full of goodwill and more than a few drinks. This clearly is a sign that he doesn’t value your business.

False.

As per Hall’s Culture Context Model, Brazilians are from a high-context culture wherein one does not need to be rule oriented to express interest in relations, be it a business proposition. There are no such disciplinary etiquettes required to show interest.

Marie Arnaud

You arrive at the Charles de Gaulle airport in France for your third meeting with Marie Arnaud, owner of a small export business, who is picking you up herself. When you see her, you walk toward her, smiling, and hold out your hand. Instead of shaking it, Marie leans forward and kisses you on both cheeks. You are correct to fear that the business relationship is getting too personal.

False.

As per Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck’s cultural orientations, France tends to follow a public space orientation. This means people tend to be friendly and too close when talking to others even in case of a formal meeting. That is, their private boundaries are very small.

Sam King

In his thank-you message to the Malaysian business team he just met with, Sam wrote, “I am confident that we are on the same page with this venture, and I couldn’t be more excited about it.” This is an excellent way to convey his enthusiasm.

False.

As per Trompenaars’ Cultural Model, Malaysians are a very neutral group of people. They are always taught about being reserved about one’s own feelings. Thus, showing this level of excitement may not be of much help.

Geoffrey Benedict

When you first meet your contact for your company’s new British partner, you slap him on the back, call him “Geoff,” and pump his hand about six times. You could be accused on ethnocentrism.

True.

Ethnocentrism stands for the belief one has in his/her culture stating ‘My way is the best way’.

Mr. Wong

You took Mr. Wong, a Chinese businessman, out for BBQ ribs. When you asked him how he liked them, he commented pleasantly that they were “spicy.” This probably means that he didn’t like them.

True.

China is both, a high context culture as well as low on neutrality as per Trompenaars’ Cultural Model. Thus, in this case Mr. Wong is trying to present his disliking by subtle non-verbal signs and at the same time he is not hiding his feelings regarding the food.

Janet Kiser

Janet is getting ready to do business in the Philippines, so she studies several cross-cultural resources to find out how the stereotypical Filipino behaves. This is a good step toward figuring out how to behave when she meets her business contacts there.

True.

It can be regarded that Janet believes in poly-centrism, that is, everyone’s way is equally good and thus, should be understood before conversing with people from diverse cultures.