This Ecourse provides a foundation of Israeli culture, helps understand the gap between foreigners way of thinking and the
Israeli way of thinking, offers extensive tools to negotiate the difference; and blends cross-cultural information with a coaching approach to understanding and becoming successful in any culture.

For additional information and inquiries , please visit us at: http://www.expats-moving-and-relocation-guide.com/living-in-israel.html

From: Helium

by Valentine Logar

There are some things in life that can either be viewed as an unpleasant necessity in which case no amount of preparation will make them less daunting or they can be viewed as an adventure in which case with a bit of planning they can be both fun and exciting. I have spent most of my adult life relocating in some cases simply because I wanted to and in others because my work required it of me. Let me state up-front that the corporate relocation is easier only in that it is paid for by someone else; in all other ways the same rules apply. At this stage of my life I have the cross country and even global relocation down to a fine art, but I am not afraid to use a bit of assistance from experts. My best expert advice is the Military Relocation Checklist, which is provided at the end of this article.

This is a big move and bound to set everyone on edge, or as we say in my family set everyone’s head on fire. There are so many moving parts to this type of relocation it is difficult to know where to start with a good checklist, but of course the first place to start is with the family. The following are family consideration that will assist with the relocation stress:

1. Has a career assistance package been negotiated for the spouse that will be “out of work” due to the relocation? This is an important factor to consider since one spouse will be unemployed unless the work for a company with locations in the area that you will be locating to and can negotiate a transfer. It is important to consider your spouses emotional response to unemployment. It is also important to consider the affect of the loss of income to your family while your spouse is looking for work. I always advise people to negotiate this prior to accepting a position to relocate.

2. Someone will need to be the project manager’ for your move. It is more than likely that this job is going to fall to your spouse as you will be taking on your new position. You should plan for six (6) weeks prior to your actual move for your spouse to be full time in their role of move project manager’. Make sure you factor this into your financial calculations.

3. If you have children, especially teenagers, talk to them early about the relocation and your reasons. Don’t assume that this does not affect them, it does. They will have an immediate and usually negative response. You will need to treat them respectfully and sensitively as they work through their emotions about leaving their friends and schools for an unknown.

4.If at all possible take at least one family trip to the new location during the two months prior to the move. You should have one trip for house hunting paid for by the company but they may not pay for the entire family, just you and your spouse. If possible take an additional trip to get to know the area. Visit schools, do some additional house hunting, visit the area malls, and any other things of local interest.

If you have not already negotiated your relocation package let me provide you a couple of quick tips that will make life easier.

1. Ask for a pre-paid credit card with a set amount that you can spend as you see fit for your move. This approach allows you to budget your move and not account for your spending. It is the best approach to relocation.

2. Do your homework! Even though corporations believe they have negotiated “best rates” this is not always the case. Frequently you can negotiate better rates on your own simply by doing comparison shopping. Certainly you should always start with the corporate preferred vendors for moving, but if you don’t believe they are giving you a fair estimate tell them and get other estimates before you select a vendor.

Now to some tips on the move itself and dealing with moving companies, always a challenge.

1. Only use bonded movers. Do not trust your property to cut rate movers who no one has ever heard of. Trying to save too much money risking you will not receive your property on the other end or at the very least you will not receive it in the same condition.

2. Before having the movers come to your house for inspection and proposal know what you want! This is an important step in the process. There are many different ways to arrange the pack and move. They can do the entire pack, move, and unpack. They can do only some of the pack, move, and unpack, or any other combination that you determine best fits your schedule and style. You knowing what you want before they get there will make the process easier and ensure that the bids you receive are consistent. My usual approach is to have the movers do all packing except those items that I am going to carry with me, it is a bit more expensive but worth the stress reduction. I also have them do all the furniture breakdown and set-up on the other end if I am moving directly into a new home. I do not have them do unpacking, it is generally not worth it as they don’t do put away as well as I do, although you can pay for this service.

3. One thing to consider in the mover

selection is whether you will be moving directly into a new home. If this is not the case you should consider renting a storage unit until you have found your new permanent home. In my past moves I have taken short term apartment leases and rented furniture rather moving twice. Having movers store your goods is very expensive while renting a storage unit yourself will cut your costs by up to 75%. If you want the movers to place your goods in your storage unit you will need to rent a unit on a ground floor as most professional movers will not load a second floor unit. If there are specific personal items that you want use large colored coded stickers to mark the boxes and have these set aside during the storage unit load from the truck. One thing to keep in mind, if you talk to the had mover early in the day it is likely that they will load your truck with the marked boxes at the same time they are loading your storage unit, always make certain that you pre-tip for this service! When you get ready to move to your permanent abode you can do it yourself or follow my final piece of advice, hire someone to move your goods from the storage unit to your new home.

Now to the last a final thing to know before the movers come to your house for inspection and bid, they are going to propose based on what you show them you have. It is rare that the cost you pay will be substantially less than the bid price. Walk through your house, open your drawers, your closets, your cabinets, all the other places you hide things especially things you never use. Be brutal with yourself and your family. Even the most frugal of us amass “junk” over time; humans are by nature gatherers we can’t help ourselves. Relocation offers the perfect opportunity to purge ourselves of all the things in our lives that are filling the nooks and crannies of our home and will quite frankly cost us in our move. I know, we all start off with the idea that we will hold a garage sale, make some extra spending money as we prepare for our relocation. All fine and good if you think you have the time for preparation and a day or two to spend waiting for those who might be interested in the stuff you no longer want or need. My experience with garage sales is this they are generally not worth the time and energy necessary to set up and conduct. Call me jaded, however during relocation there is a limited amount of time to complete a significant number of critical tasks the time it takes to gather, mark, and manage

sale simply doesn’t provide the return on investment. If you have older teens or even better adult children willing to pitch in on this effort, well have at it and good luck.

My approach to purging is the following. I clear a space in the garage, lay down a tarp, and rent a small dumpster. I start at the top of the house and go room by room starting with the guest room. Each room is purged from closet through decorations, linens, and books and other; nothing is sacred anymore. Everything is left in the room that will be moved or is transferred to the garage for charity, thrown in dumpster, thrown in the book exchange pile, or thrown in the recycle bin. Once I have been through every room completely I take a day break from my purging and then do a final walk-through in case I have missed something. There are no take backs! Once the second purge is complete I call the appropriate charities for pick-up, have the dumpster hauled away, put the recycle bin out for pick up, take the books to the exchange, and ask for money, my purge is complete. Now I am ready for the movers.

These steps are really the hardest part of the front end. The back end is finding a new home to move into and really making it a home. Of course if you have a home to sell the challenge is timing, when to start looking; should you wait until your old home has sold or use some creative financing models to have the best of both worlds? There are some questions to ask yourself before you start the process of finding your new permanent home.

1.Does your relocation package offer temporary housing assignment or a mortgage bridge? If the answer is yes, for how long?

2. Can you afford the possibility of two mortgages?

3. What is the housing market like in your current area? How long do houses stay on the market?

4. Is there anything special or unique about your current residence that sets it apart from others in your neighborhood? Look at it as if you are a buyer, use a critical eye!

5. Last but certainly not least, how much do you honestly think you can sell your house for. Don’t rely upon real estate agents for this answer. Do your own research. Find out how much houses in your neighborhood have sold for recently. Do the comparison for yourself. Find the last 5 to 7 sales; you are looking for price per square foot not total sales price. The average will tell you what to expect when you sell your home. You can ignore short sales and foreclosures just look for normal sales in the past 120 to 180 days.

to the difficult job of doing just enough without overspending. It is a personal decision whether you put your house on the market before or after you move out. I have always found it very difficult to try to sell a house in the middle of a move, but in a slow market sometimes it is better to have it on the market earlier rather than later. Remember that if you have kids or pets the wear and tear is going to show and will reduce the price that a buyer might be willing to pay for your home. Selling a home when it is empty gives you the chance to do some inexpensive clean-up and provide a pristine move-in ready home for a new home owner. Realistically, except in a booming market expect that your house will sell after you are in your new city. Make certain that you trust your agent and plan on an extended sell cycle unless you chose a more creative solution to moving your house off the market.

There are many other relocation steps that should be planned for; the military checklist covers the bulk of them. My opinion is spouses, houses, and children are the keys to less stress and more fun. If you can deal with these in a way that ensures their transition is smooth and at least has some benefits for them you will find they will work with you in the move rather than against you ever step of the way. Relocation is never easy, but it doesn’t have to be a tribulation either.

From: eHow

Relocation is becoming more and more common in our mobile society. Divorce is also very common. What happens when a divorced mom or dad wants or needs to move? Usually there is a court proceeding and if the court allows the move, one parent has to deal with a long-distance relationship with their child. Here are some ways to remain involved in your child’s life, be an active parent and stay close at heart-no matter how far you are physically. These tips can also help you foster your child’s development.

From: Expat Focus

By Tony Hargis

According to the UK’s Office for National Statistics, approximately 172,000 Brits left their homeland in 2008, with only half leaving for work reasons. The rest were accompanying someone, looking for work or just travelling around, presumably in search of a better life. It’s more difficult to get US figures, as the government measures immigration but curiously, not emigration; a recent UN report* however, states that in 2009 three per cent of the world’s population (200 million) lived in a country other than the one in which they were born. In short, there are a lot of people relocating around the globe.

If you’re a migrant moving by choice, the grass may well be greener where you’re headed, but it won’t always be plain sailing. Here are a few things you should think about before taking the plunge:

Be prepared – From the practical to the cerebral, there are lots of things you can anticipate to make your relocation smoother. Expat American Michele Oyen recalls “The biggest hassle of moving for me had to do with banking and credit cards; there are plenty of things I could have done that would have improved my life if I had set up international banking services before I left the US.”

(A note to Americans from the IRS, “If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien, the rules for filing income, estate, and gift tax returns and paying estimated tax are generally the same whether you are in the United States or abroad. Your worldwide income is subject to U.S. income tax, regardless of where you reside.”)

It helps to read about the culture into which you are heading, even when you think it’s not going to be too different from where you are. Adds Oyen, “The irony is that it never occurred to me to look into advice for expats before I moved–no books, blogs, or any of the other resources available. I’d certainly advise someone to look.” Indeed, with the amount of information readily available on the Web, there’s no excuse these days.

Learn the language – Jo Parfitt, author, publisher, mentor and public speaker advises, “If I were moving to one country and staying there, learning to be fluent in the language would be my number one priority, from this everything else feeds.”

She adds, “I’ve been abroad 22 years and this is my 5th country. I like to work and running my business is where I spend my time. I simply do not have/make the time to learn the language where I live. After 5 countries it is just one thing too many to learn another one. Yet it is my unwillingness to learn the language that is the cause of most of my stress…running a business in another language is very tough. I can’t even read my VAT return. Sure, I can read a menu, understand a train timetable and use public transport. But I can’t read the long words in official documentation and it gets me down. I also do not understand the rules of taxation, allowances and so on and after several countries this is wearing.”

Emily Vest, who blogs as Brit in Bosnia echoes this: “- not speaking the language (or speaking it but mangling it really badly) limits the numbers of people you can hang out with. Ok if there are lots of expats around, more difficult if there aren’t so many expats in town. I found that most people who speak English are gainfully employed during the day, which is not what I want when I’ve got two children in meltdown at 3.30pm on a Tuesday afternoon.” She adds that the language problem can extend to children, ” – the kids not speaking the language means that they are always outsiders. Even though mine aren’t bad at Bosnian now, they’ll never be one of the cool kids at nursery, they just don’t fit in.”

The popular British blogger Potty Mummy, who has recently moved from London to Moscow, has also found language acquisition to be crucial, especially in a country where the people don’t automatically learn English. She has found that doing the weekly shop, and communicating with taxi drivers, plumbers and school staff is impossible unless you learn the language properly. As someone who relocated from one English-speaking country to another, I would advise making yourself as familiar as possible with the new “language” as confusion and communication failure can still be an everyday occurrence.

Visiting home – Australia is the top choice for relocation by Brits. That’s a long way from home and an expensive trip back. I have many friends who relocated there and although they loved the people and the lifestyle, more than a few have gone home because the separation from family was just too much. One friend used to make the 26 hour, multi-stop journey on her own with three sons ages 6, 4 and 18 months. Absolutely exhausting.

Even if you’re not on the other side of the world, trying to schedule meaningful visits home when you’re juggling work and/or school is a challenge, and the expense of flying back often means that people go years before seeing family.

Visiting “home” can often stir up deep feelings of homesickness. As Carla Young, a Chicagoan who lived in England for ten years said, she didn’t anticipate that “every year, when I would return for a month in the summer, I would realize how much I really missed my life here. It was always hard to go back…”. For many years I would return to the States after a summer in England and be completely restless and fed up for about a month.

Returning home – after several years of living abroad, many expats begin to wonder if they can ever return to their country of origin (repatriation). Questions about whether they can settle back into the lifestyle are common but a surprising factor is whether or not they can afford to go back. Many Brits move abroad for a better (cheaper) lifestyle which may mean that they can’t afford to sell up and buy property in the UK should they want to go back. In addition, the costs of physically moving all your belongings around the world can be truly staggering.

Being “on your own” – There will usually be people around you when you relocate, but that doesn’t always make things easy. As American Carla Young says, “For me, the psychological component of having my entire support system across the ocean was the hardest. I was sick over there for more than a year, and not having family around to support me or the kids was extremely stressful.” If you have children, this loneliness can often be compounded by cultural differences.

Blogger Brit in Bosnia recalls her loss of a mummy’s network, which she found “difficult to redevelop if you move somewhere where most childcare is done by grandparents, who tend to keep the kids at home with them. So, in my case, that meant that things like playgroups, toddler activities etc were VERY thin on the ground (ie not at all). I didn’t really know how to get in contact with other mums of similarish age kids.”

Vicky Gray, author of Didgeridoos and Digderidon’ts, adds “I suppose the only real tangible thing you miss when you move abroad is your family… It has become much easier to stay in contact now, with email, cheap phonecalls and of course Skype, so there really is no excuse!”

Homesickness – This hits you every now and again even when you’re really happy in your new location. Anne Naylor, an English friend who moved to Australia about two year ago recalls, “Three months in, the holiday is over and I realize I’m not going home. I had a real downer and still do every few months. Don’t really know what triggers it off. Went to a gym class a while ago, a nice calming Body balance; at the end, the dark go-off-to-a-far-away-place time …..tears streaming down my face. The poor girl didn’t know what to do.”

Being the foreigner – for some this is a novelty that never wears off and for others it’s a sign that they’ll never really fit in. I am still often referred to as the Brit, the English woman or “the one with the accent” if they can’t quite figure out what brand of English I speak. One of the joys of being back in England during the summer is the complete anonymity I have. There’s no one peering round the dairy aisle in the supermarket to hear me talking (although three American children tend to draw attention).

Making new friends – This will be very much up to you. Unless you’re rich and famous, Your arrival will cause little more than a ripple; everyone has their own life and may promise to have you over for dinner or get together for coffee, but you’ll have to make it happen. If you’ve moved from a situation where you had lots of people round you, suddenly only having a spouse and/or family members can be hard for everyone. It’s slightly easier if you go out to work or have small children at school, but it’s important even then to reach out to others to ease the transition.

There are expat social groups all over the globe so if, like me, you occasionally miss listening to British slang, you can usually find some comrades. However, as Brit in Bosnia discovered, “- expats can be really weird. I’m not sure if being a slightly more random country like Bosnia attracts stranger people, but the expats where we are are probably here because they don’t fit in anywhere else… “. Gulp! Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

The familiar – You may find yourself missing silly things like foods, shops, and smells. American Kerry Roe-Ely has been in the UK for about twenty years and says, “For the first couple of years I missed all the junk food in America so my family would send me care packages. When I went home for visits I would make sure I ate all my favourite foods. I missed hearing American accents and would watch Oprah Winfrey just to hear people speak. Every ex-pat I’ve ever met has gone through the same process. At first you’re so excited by all the differences. That wears off after about three months. Then you’re annoyed by all the differences. Then depressed. I would cry every afternoon. Then, eventually, you accept all the differences.”

On a lighter note, Brit Out of Water, Dylan muses “It’s difficult to lose access to shops that you’ve used as go-to’s all your life. I never knew that I could miss Boots so much, but somehow I do!”

The unfamiliar – Brit in Bosnia captures this nicely – “ I still haven’t worked out the etiquette regarding going to see people. They don’t have set meal times so I’ll pop in for what I think is a quick coffee and turns out we are eating a feast (or vice versa). Also, when people say come over they really mean it, but they also won’t ask you for a specific time. I still find it difficult to ring up and say can I come today (or even just drop in) as I’m, well, just too English for that. I like to be asked…”.

Even moving to the States, where you think you’ve seen it all on TV, can be a shock. Americans take their children everywhere so it took some courage on my part to throw parties and dinners for grown-ups only, and to answer in the negative when guests asked if the children were included. I grew up in a culture where adults don’t always socialize with their off-spring and I wanted to keep it that way!

The stress factor – Stress can be a surprising factor in your relocation experience. Anne Naylor,suffered eczema on her eyelids which her Australian doctor quickly described as stress-related and likened it to one’s body going into temporary mourning. A quick Internet search of “expat stress” pulls up many physical, emotional and mental examples of stress-related conditions. Even if you are thrilled at your new habitat, it is still a huge change and you may experience some of the symptoms.

In summary, being an expat takes work. As Kerry-Roe Ely muses, “I have a life here now. I’ve worked hard to achieve that. I think that is the most important thing to remember. Building a new life in a new country takes effort. It doesn’t just happen and it isn’t always rosy. All ex-pats should accept that it isn’t like home. If you’re like Dorothy, then follow the yellow-brick road back home. But if you’re not, see yourself as an explorer and enjoy it.”

From: Wise Geek

One of the most important moving tips is to make a list. No matter how good you are at remembering things, you are apt to let things slide without one. Moving can be a complicated process, so it’s smart to start out with a notebook to create your lists in. An ordinary spiral notebook will do.

Make one list of things to do, such as call movers, get gas, confirm moving fees, and forward mail. On another page, list your boxes and their contents. For example, label each box with a letter or number. Write the contents of each box next to its label, being as specific as possible. This small step can make unpacking much easier.

When you’re considering moving tips, don’t overlook the importance of gathering supplies. You’ll need an overabundance of boxes. If you have too many left when you’re done, you an always recycle them or pass them along to someone else. You can even return the unused boxes to wherever you purchased them. It’s a good rule of thumb to have about 10 extra boxes for last-minute items that you’re likely to forget.

You’ll also want to employ moving tips that involve protecting your valuables. Gather plenty of packing tape and paper or packing peanuts to keep your breakables in one piece. Don’t use newspaper, as the ink can come off on your valuable items. Instead, use unprinted newsprint or regular packing paper.

People tend to overlook the cleaning end of things when they are considering moving tips. For example, one of the most helpful moving tips is to gather a cleaning kit; chances are you’ll need to clean up the home you are leaving as well as the place you’re moving to. Gather cleaning solutions and disinfectant as well as sponges, rags, and rubber gloves to protect your hands from harsh chemicals. Put your supplies in a rubber or plastic bin with a lid to make them easy to transport. Having these things handy can help you save time, which is often a pressing consideration when you’re moving.

No discussion of moving tips would be complete without some mention of storing important documents and keys. Keep all of your keys — old and new — on your key ring. Don’t trust them to envelopes or pockets; it’s too easy to lose them in such places. Only take the keys off when you are ready to turn them over to someone else or store them in a safe place in your new home. Buy color-coded key covers to make your new keys stand out on your key ring.

Store all your important documents in a fire-safe, waterproof container, and keep them with you. Make sure all birth certificates, security cards, leases, school and bank records, maps, and utility company phone numbers go in this container. It’s also a good idea to store health insurance cards in the same place, in case of an accident on route to your new home. You don’t want these things transported in a separate vehicle, as they could be lost and require weeks of frustrating recovery effort.

From: Kwintessential

South Africa

Facts and Statistics

Location: Southern most tip of Africa, bordering Botswana 1,840 km, Lesotho 909 km,

Mozambique 491 km, Namibia 967 km, Swaziland 430 km, Zimbabwe 225 km

Capital: Pretoria

Climate: mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days, cool nights

Population: 42,718,530

Ethnic Make-up: black 75.2%, white 13.6%, Coloured 8.6%, Indian 2.6%

Religions: Christian 68% (includes most whites and Coloreds, about 60% of blacks and about

40% of Indians), Muslim 2%, Hindu 1.5% (60% of Indians), indigenous beliefs and animist 28.5%

Government: republic

Languages in South Africa

South Africa has 11 official languages. English is the language of administration and is spoken throughout the country. The other official languages are: Afrikaans, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsongo, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu.

South African Society & Culture

The Rainbow Nation

South Africa is one of the most multicultural countries in the world. In urban areas many different ethnic groups will make up the population. In addition to the indigenous black peoples of South Africa colonialism and immigration have brought in white Europeans, Indians, Indo-Malays, Chinese and many more.

As such it is difficult to generalise at all on South African etiquettes and culture due to the diversity.

The Family in South AfricaMap of South Africa

. The basic unit of South African society is the family, which includes the nuclear family and the extended family or tribe.

. In traditional African society, the tribe is the most important community as it is the equivalent of a nation. The tribe provides both emotional and financial security in much the same way the nuclear family does to white or coloured South Africans.

. The coloured and more traditional Afrikaans cultures consider their extended family to be almost as important as their nuclear family, while the English-speaking white community places more emphasis on the nuclear family.

. The nuclear family is the ultimate basis of the tribe. The tribal and family units are being disrupted by changes in the economic reorganization of the country

. As more people move into the urban areas, they attempt to maintain familial ties, including providing financial support to family members who have remained in the village.

The Rural/Urban Dichotomy

. There are vast differences between the values of the rural and urban dwellers.

. The majority of the whites living in rural areas are Afrikaner farmers who are descended from the Calvinists. Their views on the world are sometimes narrow. At the same time they value human decency over materialism.

. City dwellers live life in the fast lane, which affects their outlook.

. People from Johannesburg can quite often be regarded as having materialistic values, and being more interested in what you own rather than who you are. They prefer to see themselves as urbane and their country cousins as less sophisticated.

. People from Cape Town are very proud of their city, and often appear to have a superior attitude about their city versus the rest of the country. Family ties, long-term friendships and social standing are all important to Capetonians.

. The many rural black communities are still rooted in the traditions of their heritage, whereas the increasingly urban black community combines their roots with the urban environment and international influences that surround them.

Etiquette & Customs in South Africa

Meeting Etiquette

. There are several greeting styles in South Africa depending upon the ethnic heritage of the person you are meeting.

. When dealing with foreigners, most South Africans shake hands while maintaining eye contact and smiling.

. Some women do not shake hands and merely nod their head, so it is best to wait for a woman to extend her hand.

. Men may kiss a woman they know well on the cheek in place of a handshake.

. Greetings are leisurely and include time for social discussion and exchanging pleasantries.

Gift Giving Etiquette

. In general, South Africans give gifts for birthdays and Christmas.

. Two birthdays – 21 and 40 – are often celebrated with a large party in which a lavish gift is given. It is common for several friends to contribute to this gift to help defray the cost.

. If you are invited to a South African’s home, bring flowers, good quality chocolates, or a bottle of good South African wine to the hostess.

. Wrapping a gift nicely shows extra effort.

. Gifts are opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

If you are invited to a South African’s house:

. Arrive on time if invited to dinner.

. Contact the hostess ahead of time to see if she would like you to bring a dish.

. Wear casual clothes. This may include jeans or pressed shorts. It is a good idea to check with the hosts in advance.

. In Johannesburg, casual is dressier than in other parts of the country. Do not wear jeans or shorts unless you have spoken to the hosts.

. Offer to help the hostess with the preparation or clearing up after a meal is served.

Business Etiquette and Protocol

Relationships & CommunicationEtiquette and Customs in South Africa

. South Africans are transactional and do not need to establish long-standing personal relationships before conducting business.

. If your company is not known in South Africa, a more formal introduction may help you gain access to decision-makers and not be shunted off to gatekeepers.

. Networking and relationship building are crucial for long-term business success.

. Relationships are built in the office.

. Most businessmen are looking for long-term business relationships.

. Although the country leans towards egalitarianism, businesspeople respect senior executives and those who have attained their position through hard work and perseverance.

. There are major differences in communication styles depending upon the individual’s cultural heritage.

. For the most part, South Africans want to maintain harmonious working relationships, so they avoid confrontations.

. They often use metaphors and sports analogies to demonstrate a point.

. Most South Africans, regardless of ethnicity, prefer face-to-face meetings to more impersonal communication mediums such as email, letter, or telephone.

Business Meeting Etiquette

. Appointments are necessary and should be made as far in advance as possible.

. It may be difficult to arrange meetings with senior level managers on short notice, although you may be able to do so with lower-level managers.

. It is often difficult to schedule meetings from mid December to mid January or the two weeks surrounding Easter, as these are prime vacation times.

. Personal relationships are important. The initial meeting is often used to establish a personal rapport and to determine if you are trustworthy.

. After a meeting, send a letter summarizing what was decided and the next steps.

Business Negotiations

. It is imperative to develop mutual trust before negotiating.

. Women have yet to attain senior level positions. If you send a woman, she must expect to encounter some condescending behaviour and to be tested in ways that a male colleague would not.

. Do not interrupt a South African while they are speaking.

. South Africans strive for consensus and win-win situations.

. Include delivery dates in contracts. Deadlines are often viewed as fluid rather than firm commitments.

. Start negotiating with a realistic figure. South Africans do not like haggling over price.

. Decision-making may be concentrated at the top of the company and decisions are often made after consultation with subordinates, so the process can be slow and protracted.

Dress Etiquette

. Business attire is becoming more informal in many companies. However, for the first meeting, it is best to dress more conservatively.

. Men should wear dark coloured conservative business suits.

. Women should wear elegant business suits or dresses.

From: Kwintessential

Ghana

Facts and Statistics

Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d’Ivoire and Togo

Capital: Accra

Climate: tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands

Population: 23,382,848 (July 2008 est.)

Ethnic Make-up: Akan 45.3%, Mole-Dagbon 15.2%, Ewe 11.7%, Ga-Dangme 7.3%, Guan 4%, Gurma 3.6%, Grusi 2.6%, Mande-Busanga 1%, other tribes 1.4%, other 7.8% (2000 census)

Religions: Christian 68.8% (Pentecostal/Charismatic 24.1%, Protestant 18.6%, Catholic 15.1%, other 11%), Muslim 15.9%, traditional 8.5%, other 0.7%, none 6.1% (2000 census)

Government: constitutional democracy

Language in Ghana

Different sources give different figures for the number of languages of Ghana. This is because of different classifications of varieties as either languages or dialects.

As with many ex-colonies in Africa, the official language of Ghana is the colonial language, English. Nine languages have the status of government-sponsored languages: Akan, Dagaare/Wale, Dagbane, Dangme, Ewe, Ga, Gonja, Kasem, Nzema. However, two dialects of Akan, Twi and Fante, although not government-sponsored, are also widely-spoken in Ghana.

Hausa is widely used as a lingua franca by Muslims in Ghana.

Society and Culture

The People

There are over 100 ethnic groups living in Ghana. The largest are Akan, Moshi-Dagbani, Ewe, and Ga. The Ashanti tribe of the Akan are the largest tribe and one of the few societies in West Africa where lineage is traced through the mother and maternal ancestors. Once famous for the luxury and wealth of their rulers, they are now more well known for their craftwork such as hand-carved stools, fertility dolls, and ‘kente’ cloth. Kente cloth is made cotton and is woven in bright, narrow strips with complex patterns.

The Family

Family is a very strong bond in Ghana and is the primary source of identity, loyalty and responsibility. Family obligations take precedence over pretty much everything else in life. Individuals achieve recognition and social standing through their extended family.

An interesting cultural variation among the Akan, or Ashanti and Fanti people, is that affiliation within the clan is through women. Mothers have a higher status as in their point of view people get their blood from mothers.

It is important for Ghanaians to maintain dignity, honour, and a good reputation. The entire family shares any loss of honour, which makes the culture a collective one. In order to protect this sense of face there is a need to maintain a sense of harmony; people will act with decorum at all times to ensure they do not cause anyone embarrassment.

Hierarchy

Ghanaian society is hierarchical. People are respected because of their age, experience, wealth and/or position. Older people are viewed as wise and are granted respect. In a group one can always see preferential treatment for the eldest member present. With respect comes responsibility and people expect the most senior person to make decisions that are in the best interest of the group.

Etiquette and Customs in Ghana

Meeting Etiquette

* Traditional or native greetings vary among the various ethnic groups.

* With foreigners the most common greeting is the handshake with a smile.

* When shaking hands between themselves Ghanaians will hold the right hand in the normal manner but will then twist and click each other’s middle finger.

* Unless you are experienced it is best to stick to a normal handshake!

* Christians will generally shake hands between the sexes; practising Muslims often will not shake hands with people of the opposite sex.

* Address Ghanaians by their academic, professional, or honorific title and their surname.

* As a sign of respect, males over the age of 30 may be addressed as “pah-pah” while women of the same age may be called “mah-mee”. People over the age of 50 may be referred to as “nah-nah”.

Gift Giving Etiquettee

* Gifts need not be expensive; the thought is more important than the value.

* If invited to dinner at a Ghanaian’s home, you are not expected to bring a gift.

* However, a gift for the children is always a nice touch as it shows a concern for family.

* Gifts should be given using the right hand only or both hands. Never use the left hand.

* Gifts should be wrapped, although there are no cultural taboos concerning paper colour.

* Gifts are not always opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

* Ghanaians enjoy entertaining in their homes and you should accept any invitation as a sign of friendship.

* Dress well; Ghanaians place a lot of emphasis on how people dress. You may need to remove your shoes.

* Greet elders of heads of family first.

* Ghanaians table manners are relatively formal.

* Wait to be told where to sit.

* A washing basin will be brought out before the meal is served; use it to wash your hands.

* Food is generally served from a communal bowl.

* Do not begin eating until the eldest male does.

* Eat from the section of the bowl that is in front of you. Never reach across the bowl to get something from the other side.

* If you do not want to eat with your hands then ask for utensils.

* If you use your hands then scoop the food with the thumb and first two fingers of the right hand. Do not use your left hand.

Business Etiquette and Protocol

Map of Ghana

Meeting and Greeting

* Handshakes are the most common means of greeting.

* It’s generally common to wait for a woman to extend her hand first.

* Take time to enquire about people’s health, family and jobs. To rush a greeting is extremely rude.

* Maintain eye contact during the greeting.

* Titles are important. Use the honorific title plus any academic or professional title and the surname.

* Wait until invited before moving to a first-name basis. The younger generation will tend to do so rapidly.

* Business cards are exchanged without formal ritual.

* Present and receive business cards with two hands or the right hand, never with the left.

Communication Style

Ghanaians are more indirect communicators. This means they take care not to relay information in any way that could cause issues, whether that be giving someone bad news, turning down an invitation, refusing a request or any other such matter. Ghanaians always want to protect their own and others’ face as well as maintain harmonious relationships.

As a result they tend to use proverbs, wise sayings, analogies readily. This allows ideas or messages to be convened in a manner that does not seem so blatant. In fact people who are viewed as wise frequently speak in proverbs.

Silence is a common means of communication. If someone is uncomfortable with a question or do not think the asker will appreciate response, they will say nothing rather than make the other person uncomfortable.

Business Meetings

Initial meetings are really all about finding out about one another and if a personality fit allows for future, more business specific meetings. One should therefore expect to spend quite a good deal of time in relationship and rapport building. Do not be surprised is business is not really discussed much at all.

First meetings may also tend to be a little more stiff and formal although once a rapport has been built this will soon dissipate. It is important to maintain a polite and somewhat reserved demeanour.

Hierarchy is respected so the most senior person is greeted first. He/she may be the spokesperson for the group or may deputise key stakeholders to speak.

Ghanaians have a keen sense of humour and enjoy telling jokes. However until you have understood their sense of humour it is best to refrain from telling jokes yourself. If a Ghanaian teases you take it good-naturedly. For the most part, this shows they are becoming more relaxed with you.

From: Kwintessential

Russia

Facts and Statistics

Location: Northern Asia, bordering Azerbaijan 284 km, Belarus 959 km, China (southeast) 3,605 km, China (south) 40 km, Estonia 294 km, Finland 1,313 km, Georgia 723 km, Kazakhstan 6,846 km, North Korea 19 km, Latvia 217 km, Lithuania (Kaliningrad Oblast) 227 km, Mongolia 3,485 km, Norway 196 km, Poland (Kaliningrad Oblast) 206 km, Ukraine 1,576 km

Capital: Moscow

Climate: ranges from steppes in the south through humid continental in much of European

Russia; subarctic in Siberia to tundra climate in the polar north; winters vary from cool along Black Sea coast to frigid in Siberia; summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool along Arctic coast

Population: 143,782,338 (July 2004 est.)

Ethnic Make-up: Russian 81.5%, Tatar 3.8%, Ukrainian 3%, Chuvash 1.2%, Bashkir 0.9%, Belarusian

0.8%, Moldavian 0.7%, other 8.1% (1989)

Religions: Russian Orthodox, Muslim, other

Government: federation

The Russian Language

Of Russia’s estimated 150m population, it is thought that over 81% speak the official language of Russian as their first and only language. Most speakers of a minority language are also bilingual speakers of Russian. There are over 100 minority languages spoken in Russia today, the most popular of which is Tartar, spoken by more than 3% of the country’s population. Other minority languages include Ukrainian, Chuvash, Bashir, Mordvin and Chechen. Although few of these populations make up even 1% of the Russian population, these languages are prominent in key regional areas.

Why not learn some useful Russian phrases?

Russian Society & Culture

The Russian Family

. The Russian family is dependent upon all its members.

. Most families live in small apartments, often with 2 or 3 generations sharing little space.

. Most families are small, often with only one child because most women must also work outside of the house in addition to bearing sole responsibility for household and childrearing chores.

Russian Pride

. Russians are proud of their country.

. Patriotic songs and poems extol the virtues of their homeland.

. They accept that their lives are difficult and pride themselves on being able to flourish in conditions that others could not.

. They take great pride in their cultural heritage and expect the rest of the world to admire it.

Communal Mentality

. For generations until the 1930′s, Russian life centred on the agricultural village commune, where the land was held in common and decision-making was the province of an assembly of the heads of households.

. This affinity for the group and the collective spirit remains today. It is seen in everyday life, for example most Russians will join a table of strangers rather than eat alone in a restaurant.

. Everybody’s business is also everyone else’s, so strangers will stop and tell someone that they are breaking the rules.

Etiquette and Customs in Russia

Meeting EtiquetteEtiquette in Russia

. The typical greeting is a firm, almost bone-crushing handshake while maintaining direct eye contact and giving the appropriate greeting for the time of day.

. When men shake hands with women, the handshake is less firm.

. When female friends meet, they kiss on the cheek three times, starting with the left and then alternating.

. When close male friends meet, they may pat each other on the back and hug.

Naming Conventions

Russian names are comprised of:

. First name, which is the person’s given name.

. Middle name, which is a patronymic or a version of the father’s first name formed by adding ‘- vich’ or ‘-ovich’ for a male and ‘-avna’ or ‘- ovna’ for a female. The son of Ivan would have a patronymic of Ivanovich while the daughter’s patronymic would be Ivanovna.

. Last name, which is the family or surname.

In formal situations, people use all three names. Friends and close acquaintances may refer to each other by their first name and patronymic. Close friends and family members call each other by their first name only.

Gift Giving Etiquette

Gift giving using takes place between family and close friends on birthdays, New Year, and Orthodox Christmas.

. If you are invited to a Russian home for a meal, bring a small gift.

. Male guests are expected to bring flowers.

. Do not give yellow flowers.

. Do not give a baby gift until after the baby is born. It is bad luck to do so sooner.

. Russians often protest when they are offered a gift. Reply that it is a little something and offer the gift again and it will generally be accepted.

Dining Etiquette

If you are invited to a Russian’s house:

. Arrive on time or no more than 15 minutes later than invited.

. Remove your outdoor shoes. You may be given slippers to wear.

. Dress in clothes you might wear to the office. Dressing well shows respect for your hosts.

. Expect to be treated with honour and respect.

. Offer to help the hostess with the preparation or clearing up after a meal is served. This may be turned down out of politeness. Asking ‘are you sure?’ allows the hostess to accept your offer.

Table manners are generally casual.

. Table manners are Continental — the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.

. The oldest or most honoured guest is served first.

. Do not begin eating until the host invites you to start.

. Do not rest your elbows on the table, although your hands should be visible at all times.

. You will often be urged to take second helpings.

. It is polite to use bread to soak up gravy or sauce.

. Men pour drinks for women seated next to them.

. Leaving a small amount of food on your plate indicates that your hosts have provided ample hospitality.

. Do not get up until you are invited to leave the table. At formal dinners, the guest of honor is the first to get up from the table.

Russian Business Etiquette and Protocol

Relationships & Communication

. Russians are transactional and do not need to establish long-standing personal relationships before they do business with people.

. It is still a good idea to develop a network of people who you know and trust. The Russian word “svyasi” means connections and refers to having friends in high places, which is often required to cut through red tape.

. Patience is essential.

. It is best to err on the side of formality when you first make contact.

. Sincerity is crucial as it is required to build trust, and trust is needed to build a relationship.

. Most Russians do not trust people who are ‘all business’.

. An indication that you have successfully developed a personal relationship is being asked for a favour by that person.

Business Meeting Etiquette

. Appointments are necessary and should be made as far in advance as possible.

. It often takes roughly 6 weeks to arrange a meeting with a government official.

. Confirm the meeting when you arrive in the country and again a day or two in advance.

. The first week of May has several public holidays so it is best avoided.

. You should arrive punctually for meetings.

. Typical Russian schedules are constantly changing and everything takes longer than expected, so be prepared to be kept waiting.

. Meetings can be cancelled on short notice.

. The first meeting is often a vehicle to determine if you and the company you represent are credible and worthy of consideration for future business dealings.

. Use the time effectively to demonstrate what differentiates your company from the competition.

. Expect a long period of socializing and getting-to-know-you conversation before business is discussed.

. Have all printed material available in both English and Russian.

. Russians expect long and detailed presentations that include a history of the subject and a review of existing precedents.

. Meetings are frequently interrupted. It is common for several side conversations that have nothing to do with the topic of the meeting to be carried on during the meeting.

. At the end of the meeting, expect to sign a ‘protokol’, which is a summary of what was discussed.

Business Negotiating

. Meetings and negotiations are slow. Russians do not like being rushed.

. It is a good idea to include technical experts on your negotiating team.

. Hierarchy is important to Russians. They respect age, rank and position. The most senior person reaches decisions.

. Russian executives prefer to meet with people of similar rank and position.

. Russians see negotiations as win-lose. They do not believe in win-win scenarios.

. Have written materials available in both English and Russian.

. Russians view compromise as weakness. They will continue negotiating until you offer concessions.

. Russians may lose their temper, walk out of the meeting, or threaten to terminate the relationship in an attempt to coerce you to change your position.

. Russians often use time as a tactic, especially if they know that you have a deadline. Be cautious about letting your business colleagues know that you are under time pressure or they will delay even more.

. Nothing is final until the contract is signed. Even then, Russians will modify a contract to suit their purposes.

. Do not use high-pressure sales tactics as they will work against you.

Dress Etiquette

. Business dress is formal and conservative.

. Men should wear business suits.

. Women should wear subdued coloured business suits with skirts that cover the knees.

. Shoes should be highly polished.

Business Cards

. Business cards are exchanged after the initial introductions without formal ritual.

. Have one side of your business card translated into Russian using Cyrillic text.

. Include advanced university degrees on your business card.

. Hand your business card so the Russian side is readable to the recipient.

. If someone does not have a business card, note their pertinent information.

From: Kwintessential

China

Facts and Statistics

Chinese Flag

Location: Eastern Asia bordering Afghanistan 76 km, Bhutan 470 km, Burma 2,185 km, India 3,380 km, Kazakhstan 1,533 km, North Korea 1,416 km, Kyrgyzstan 858 km, Laos 423 km, Mongolia 4,677 km, Nepal 1,236 km, Pakistan 523 km, Russia (northeast) 3,605 km, Russia (northwest) 40 km, Tajikistan 414 km, Vietnam 1,281 km

Capital: Beijing

Climate: extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north

Population: 1,298,847,624 (July 2004 est.)

Ethnic Make-up: Han Chinese 91.9%, Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi, Tibetan, Miao, Manchu, Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and other nationalities 8.1%

Religions: Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Muslim 1%-2%, Christian 3%-4%

Government: Communist state

The Chinese Language

Chinese is a family of closely-related but mutually unintelligible languages. These languages are known variously as f¨¡ngy¨¢n (regional languages), dialects of Chinese or varieties of Chinese. In all over 1.2 billion people speak one or more varieties of Chinese.

All varieties of Chinese belong to the Sino-Tibetan family of languages and each one has its own dialects and sub-dialects, which are more or less mutually intelligible.

Why not learn some useful Manadarin or Cantonese phrases before your visit?

Chinese Society & Culture

The Importance of “Face”

. The concept of ‘face’ roughly translates as ‘honour’, ‘good reputation’ or ‘respect’.

. There are four types of ‘face’:

1) Diu-mian-zi: this is when one’s actions or deeds have been exposed to people.

2) Gei-mian-zi: involves the giving of face to others through showing respect.

3) Liu-mian-zi: this is developed by avoiding mistakes and showing wisdom in action.

4) Jiang-mian-zi: this is when face is increased through others, i.e. someone complementing you to an associate.

. It is critical you avoid losing face or causing the loss of face at all times.

Confucianism

Confucianism is a system of behaviours and ethics that stress the obligations of people towards one another based upon their relationship. The basic tenets are based upon five different relationships:

. Ruler and subject

. Husband and wife

. Parents and children

. Brothers and sisters

. Friend and friend

Confucianism stresses duty, sincerity, loyalty, honour, filial piety, respect for age and seniority. Through maintaing harmonious relations as individuals, society itself becomes stable.

Collectivism vs. Individualism

. In general, the Chinese are a collective society with a need for group affiliation, whether to their family, school, work group, or country.

. In order to maintain a sense of harmony, they will act with decorum at all times and will not do anything to cause someone else public embarrassment.

. They are willing to subjugate their own feelings for the good of the group.

. This is often observed by the use of silence in very structured meetings. If someone disagrees with what another person says, rather than disagree publicly, the person will remain quiet. This gives face to the other person, while speaking up would make both parties lose face.

Non-Verbal Communication

. The Chinese’ Non-verbal communication speaks volumes.

. Since the Chinese strive for harmony and are group dependent, they rely on facial expression, tone of voice and posture to tell them what someone feels.

. Frowning while someone is speaking is interpreted as a sign of disagreement. Therefore, most Chinese maintain an impassive expression when speaking.

. It is considered disrespectful to stare into another person’s eyes. In crowded situations the Chinese avoid eye contact to give themselves privacy.

Chinese Etiquette and Customs

Meeting EtiquetteEtiquette in China

. Greetings are formal and the oldest person is always greeted first.

. Handshakes are the most common form of greeting with foreigners.

. Many Chinese will look towards the ground when greeting someone.

. Address the person by an honorific title and their surname. If they want to move to a first-name basis, they will advise you which name to use.

. The Chinese have a terrific sense of humour. They can laugh at themselves most readily if they have a comfortable relationship with the other person. Be ready to laugh at yourself given the proper circumstances.

Gift Giving Etiquette

. In general, gifts are given at Chinese New Year, weddings, births and more recently (because of marketing), birthdays.

. The Chinese like food and a nice food basket will make a great gift.

. Do not give scissors, knives or other cutting utensils as they indicate the severing of the relationship.

. Do not give clocks, handkerchiefs or straw sandals as they are associated with funerals and death.

. Do not give flowers, as many Chinese associate these with funerals.

. Do not wrap gifts in white, blue or black paper.

. Four is an unlucky number so do not give four of anything. Eight is the luckiest number, so giving eight of something brings luck to the recipient.

. Always present gifts with two hands.

. Gifts are not opened when received.

. Gifts may be refused three times before they are accepted.

Dining Etiquette

. The Chinese prefer to entertain in public places rather than in their homes, especially when entertaining foreigners.

. If you are invited to their house, consider it a great honour. If you must turn down such an honour, it is considered polite to explain the conflict in your schedule so that your actions are not taken as a slight.

. Arrive on time.

. Remove your shoes before entering the house.

. Bring a small gift to the hostess.

. Eat well to demonstrate that you are enjoying the food!

Table manners:

. Learn to use chopsticks.

. Wait to be told where to sit. The guest of honour will be given a seat facing the door.

. The host begins eating first.

. You should try everything that is offered to you.

. Never eat the last piece from the serving tray.

. Be observant to other peoples’ needs.

. Chopsticks should be returned to the chopstick rest after every few bites and when you drink or stop to speak.

. The host offers the first toast.

. Do not put bones in your bowl. Place them on the table or in a special bowl for that purpose.

. Hold the rice bowl close to your mouth while eating.

. Do not be offended if a Chinese person makes slurping or belching sounds; it merely indicates that they are enjoying their food.

. There are no strict rules about finishing all the food in your bowl.

Tipping Etiquette: Tipping is becoming more commonplace, especially with younger workers although older workers still consider it an insult. Leaving a few coins is usually sufficient.

Business Etiquette and Protocol in China

Relationships & Communication

. The Chinese don’t like doing business with companies they don’t know, so working through an intermediary is crucial. This could be an individual or an organization who can make a formal introduction and vouch for the reliability of your company.

. Before arriving in China send materials (written in Chinese) that describe your company, its history, and literature about your products and services. The Chinese often use intermediaries to ask questions that they would prefer not to make directly.

. Business relationships are built formally after the Chinese get to know you.

. Be very patient. It takes a considerable amount of time and is bound up with enormous bureaucracy.

. The Chinese see foreigners as representatives of their company rather than as individuals.

. Rank is extremely important in business relationships and you must keep rank differences in mind when communicating.

. Gender bias is nonexistent in business.

. Never lose sight of the fact that communication is official, especially in dealing with someone of higher rank. Treating them too informally, especially in front of their peers, may well ruin a potential deal.

. The Chinese prefer face-to-face meetings rather than written or telephonic communication.

. Meals and social events are not the place for business discussions. There is a demarcation between business and socializing in China, so try to be careful not to intertwine the two.

Business Meeting Etiquette

. Appointments are necessary and, if possible, should be made between one-to-two months in advance, preferably in writing.

. If you do not have a contact within the company, use an intermediary to arrange a formal introduction. Once the introduction has been made, you should provide the company with information about your company and what you want to accomplish at the meeting.

. You should arrive at meetings on time or slightly early. The Chinese view punctuality as a virtue. Arriving late is an insult and could negatively affect your relationship

. Pay great attention to the agenda as each Chinese participant has his or her own agenda that they will attempt to introduce.

. Send an agenda before the meeting so your Chinese colleagues have the chance to meet with any technical experts prior to the meeting. Discuss the agenda with your translator/intermediary prior to submission.

. Each participant will take an opportunity to dominate the floor for lengthy periods without appearing to say very much of anything that actually contributes to the meeting. Be patient and listen. There could be subtle messages being transmitted that would assist you in allaying fears of on-going association.

. Meetings require patience. Mobile phones ring frequently and conversations tend to be boisterous. Never ask the Chinese to turn off their mobile phones as this causes you both to lose face.

. Guests are generally escorted to their seats, which are in descending order of rank. Senior people generally sit opposite senior people from the other side.

. It is imperative that you bring your own interpreter, especially if you plan to discuss legal or extremely technical concepts as you can brief the interpreter prior to the meeting.

. Written material should be available in both English and Chinese, using simplified characters. Be very careful about what is written. Make absolutely certain that written translations are accurate and cannot be misinterpreted.

. Visual aids are useful in large meetings and should only be done with black type on white background. Colours have special meanings and if you are not careful, your colour choice could work against you.

. Presentations should be detailed and factual and focus on long-term benefits. Be prepared for the presentation to be a challenge.

Business Negotiation

. Only senior members of the negotiating team will speak. Designate the most senior person in your group as your spokesman for the introductory functions.

. Business negotiations occur at a slow pace.

. Be prepared for the agenda to become a jumping off point for other discussions.

. Chinese are non-confrontational. They will not overtly say ‘no’, they will say ‘they will think about it’ or ‘they will see’.

. Chinese negotiations are process oriented. They want to determine if relationships can develop to a stage where both parties are comfortable doing business with the other.

. Decisions may take a long time, as they require careful review and consideration.

. Under no circumstances should you lose your temper or you will lose face and irrevocably damage your relationship.

. Do not use high-pressure tactics. You might find yourself outmanoeuvred.

. Business is hierarchical. Decisions are unlikely to be made during the meetings you attend.

. The Chinese are shrewd negotiators.

. Your starting price should leave room for negotiation.

What to Wear?

. Business attire is conservative and unpretentious.

. Men should wear dark coloured, conservative business suits.

. Women should wear conservative business suits or dresses with a high neckline.

. Women should wear flat shoes or shoes with very low heels.

. Bright colours should be avoided.

Business Cards

. Business cards are exchanged after the initial introduction.

. Have one side of your business card translated into Chinese using simplified Chinese characters that are printed in gold ink since gold is an auspicious colour.

. Your business card should include your title. If your company is the oldest or largest in your country, that fact should be on your card as well.

. Hold the card in both hands when offering it, Chinese side facing the recipient.

. Examine a business card before putting it on the table next to you or in a business card case.

. Never write on someone’s card unless so directed.

From: Kwintessential

Cyprus

Facts and Statistics

Location: Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey

Capital: Nicosia

Climate: temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters

Population: 775,927 (July 2004 est.)

Ethnic Make-up: Greek 77%, Turkish 18%, other 5% (2001)

Religions: Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian Apostolic, and other 4%

Government: republic

Languages in Cyprus

Of the estimated 736,000 population of the island, around 13% speak the official language Turkish, and 84% speak the official language Greek. The island is divided into two, and the Cypriot Turks live to the north, the Greek Cypriots to the south. Around 2.7% of each also speak the minority languages Armenian and Arabic, and most of these also speak Greek.

Why not learrn some useful Greek or Turkish phrases?

Cypriot Society & Culture

Cypriot Family Values

. The family is the centre of the social structure.

. The family includes the nuclear family and the extended family.

. The extended family is expected to help their relatives.

. Both maternal and paternal grandfathers have strong bonds with their grandchildren.

. Elders are respected and children expect to take care of their parents when as they become old and or infirmed.

Hierarchical Society

. Cypriots are extremely respectful of hierarchy, which can be traced through back to their two main religions, Islam in Turkish Cyprus and Greek Orthodox in Greek Cyprus.

. People are respected because of their age and position. Older people are viewed as wise and are granted respect.

. The oldest person in a group is revered and honoured. In a social situation, they are served and introduced first.

Religion in Cyprus

. Although predominantly Christian and Muslim, freedom of religion is safeguarded in the Cyprus constitution.

. The majority of Greek Cypriots belong to the Greek Orthodox Church. The Church of Cyprus is one of the oldest autocephalous churches and recognizes the ecumenical patriarch in Constantinople and retains administrative autonomy under its own archbishop.

. In small villages, women attend services more frequently than men, and elderly family members are usually responsible for fulfilling religious duties on behalf of the whole family.

. Church attendance is less frequent in cities and among educated Cypriots. For much of the population, religion centres on rituals at home, veneration of icons, and observance of certain feast days of the Orthodox calendar

. The majority of Turkish Cypriots are Muslims.

. Among certain obligations for Muslims are to pray five times a day – at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening.

. During the holy month of Ramadan all Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk and are only permitted to work six hours per day. Fasting includes no eating, drinking, cigarette smoking, or gum chewing. Expatriates are not required to fast; however, they must not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum in public.

Etiquette and Customs in Cyrpus

Meeting Etiquette

. Shake hands, smile, and maintain direct eye contact during the greeting.

. Many Turkish Cypriots lower their eyes during the greeting as a sign of respect.

. Very religious Muslims do not shake hands with women.

. Wait to be invited before using someone’s first name.

. At small social gatherings, your hosts will introduce you to the other guests.

. Say goodbye to each person individually when leaving.

Gift Giving Etiquette

. Gift giving is not an elaborate event.

. If invited to a Cypriot’s house, bring a consumable gift such as pastries..

. Do not give white lilies as they are used at funerals.

. Gifts are not opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

If you are invited to a Cypriot’s house:

. Shake hands with everyone when arriving and leaving.

. Dress casually but well.

. Offer to help the hostess with the preparation or clearing up after a meal is served.

. Complement the house.

Watch your table manners!

. Table manners are Continental — the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.

. Remain standing until invited to sit down.

. The oldest person and guest of honour are generally served first.

. Do not begin eating until the hostess starts.

. Pass dishes with your right hand only.

. Expect to be offered second and even third helpings.

. It is polite to finish everything on your plate.

. If you have not finished eating, cross your knife and fork on your plate with the fork over the knife.

. Indicate you have finished eating by laying your knife and fork parallel across the right side of your plate.

Business Etiquette and Protocol in Cyprus

Relationships & Communication

. Cypriots prefer face-to-face meetings rather than doing business by telephone or in writing, which are regarded as too impersonal.

. It takes time to develop relationships; this may be accomplished in the office, over extended lunches, dinners, and social outings.

. Once a relationship has developed, their loyalty will be to you personally rather than to the company you represent.

. If your company changes representatives, the relationship building will need to begin anew.

. It is imperative to show deference and respect to those in positions of authority.

. When dealing with people at the same level, communication can be more informal.

. Avoid confrontation. Cypriots do not like publicly admitting they are incorrect.

. Under no circumstances should you ever let someone think that you do not trust them, since trust and personal relationships form the cornerstone of business.

Business Meeting Etiquette

. Appointments are necessary and should be made in advance.

. The initial request should be in writing and may be confirmed by telephone.

. Punctuality is expected, although you should be prepared to be kept waiting. Avoid hyperbole and making exaggerated claims about your products or services.

. Meetings often veer off the agenda.

. Meetings may be interrupted frequently so be patient.

. Decisions are not reached at meetings. Meetings are for discussion and to exchange ideas.

Business Negotiation

. Personal relationships are the foundation of a successful business relationship.

. Who you know can be more important than what you know.

. Do not raise your voice or appear upset or emotional while speaking.

. Business discussions can be lengthy.

. Contracts are crucial and will be followed to the letter.

. Cypriots are skilled negotiators.

. Expect a great deal of bargaining.

. Opening bids should leave a great deal of room for negotiation and concessions on both sides.

Dress Etiquette

. Business dress is similar to most European conventions.

. Men should wear dark coloured, conservative business suits.

. Women should wear a conservative dress or business suit.