09 HOMEWORK 1

Accomplish the following tasks:

A. Look into the cultural guides of different countries
viawww.commisceoglobal.com/resources/country- guides/.
B. Select at least two (3) countries that you prefer to go to or know more about their culture.
C. Discuss briefly their a) social customs and etiquettes (e.g., dining, gift-giving,
greeting/meeting, etc.), and b) business or workplace practices (e.g., meetings, titles, what to
wear, etc.).
D. You may also use other references to further expound your content. Cite them on the last page
of your output.
Etiquette & Customs in Australia
Meeting Etiquette
 Australian culture is not very formal, so greetings are typically casual and relaxed. A
handshake, smile and a simple 'hello, how are you' should suffice.
 If you are attending a party or a similar type of informal event, then handshakes may be
replaced with a simple greeting.
 While an Australian may say, 'G'day' or 'G'day, mate', this may sound patronizing from a
foreigner.
 Aussies prefer to use first names, even at the initial meeting. As such, avoid using titles
when you first meet someone and, instead, introduce yourself with your first name only.
 If you are a visitor in Australia and attending an event with an Australian counterpart, then
you should be prepared to introduce yourself to others. Don't depend on your counterpart to
do so.
Gift Giving Etiquette
 Small gifts are commonly exchanged with family members, close friends, and neigh bours to
mark special events such as birthdays, births, engagements, or Christmas.
 Trades people, such as sanitation workers, may be given a bottle of wine or a six-pack of
beer.
 If invited to someone's home for dinner, it is polite to bring a box of chocolates, bottle of
wine or flowers to your hosts. A good quality bottle of wine is always appreciated.
 With the value placed on humility and equality, it's important that gifts are modest and not
too expensive. Although it's acceptable to give high value gifts to those you're close to,
giving high value gifts to others may cause embarrassment and you may be perceived as
flaunting your wealth. Dining Etiquette
 The Aussie 'barbie' (BBQ) is an important part of Australian social culture. The most
common social invitations are for BBQs. Guests to a barbeque typically bring wine or beer
for their personal consumption. In some cases, very informal barbecues may suggest that
you bring your own meat.
 People tend to dress very casually at BBQs. If you're invited to dinner, then you may want to
check the dress code beforehand. It's fair to say that being overdressed can sometimes be
more embarrassing than being underdressed.
 Arrive on time if invited to dinner no more than 15 minutes late if invited to a barbeque or a
large party. It's important that you don't put people out by arriving too early.

Business Meeting Etiquette

 Appointments are necessary and relatively easy to schedule.

 They should be made with as much lead time as possible.
 Punctuality is important in business situations. It is better to arrive a few minutes early than
to keep someone waiting.
 Meetings are generally relaxed; however, they are serious events.
 If an Australian takes exception to something that you say, they will tell you so.
 If you make a presentation, avoid hype, making exaggerated claims, or bells and whistles.
 Present your business case with facts and figures. Emotions and feelings are not important in
the Australian business climate.

Business or Workplace Practices in Australia

Relationship and Communication

 Australians are very matter of fact when it comes to business so do not need long-standing
personal relationships before they do business with people.
 Australians are very direct in the way they communicate.
 There is often an element of humor, often self-deprecating, in their speech.
 Aussies often use colorful language that would be unthinkable in other countries.

What to Wear
 Business dress is conservative in Melbourne and Sydney.
 Men should wear a dark-colored, conservative business suit.
 Women should wear a smart dress or a business suit.
 In Brisbane or other tropical areas, depending on the job function and company culture, men
may wear shirts, ties, and Bermuda shorts.
 Etiquette & Customs in Italy

Meeting Etiquette

 Greetings are enthusiastic yet rather formal.

 The usual handshake with direct eye contact and a smile suffices between strangers.
 Once a relationship develops, air-kissing on both cheeks, starting with the left is often added
as well as a pat on the back between men.
 Wait until invited to move to a first name basis.
 Italians are guided by first impressions, so it is important that you demonstrate propriety and
respect when greeting people, especially when meeting them for the first time.

Dining Etiquette

 If an invitation says the dress is informal, wear stylish clothes that are still rather formal,
jacket and tie for men and an elegant dress for women.
 Punctuality is not mandatory. You may arrive between 15 minutes late if invited to dinner
and up to 30 minutes late if invited to a party.
 If you are invited to a meal, bring gift-wrapped such as wine or chocolates.
 If you are invited for dinner and want to send flowers, have them delivered that day

Business Meeting Etiquette

 Appointments are mandatory and should be made in writing (in Italian) 2 to 3 weeks in
advance.
 Many companies are closed in August, and if they are open many Italians take vacations at
this time, so it is best not to try to schedule meetings then.
 In the north, punctuality is viewed as a virtue and your business associates will most likely
be on time.
 The goal of the initial meeting is to develop a sense of respect and trust with your Italian
business colleagues.
 Have all your printed material available in both English and Italian.
 Hire an interpreter if you are not fluent in Italian
 It is common to be interrupted while speaking or for several people to speak at once.
 People often raise their voice to be heard over other speakers, not because they are angry.
 Business or Workplace Practices in Italy
Relationship and Communication
 Italians prefer to do business with people they know and trust.
 A third-party introduction will go a long way in providing an initial platform from which to
work.
 Italians much prefer face-to-face contact, so it is important to spend time in Italy developing
the relationship.
 Your business colleagues will be eager to know something about you as a person
before conducting business with you.
 Demeanour is important as Italians judge people on appearances and the first impression
you make will be a lasting one.
 Italians are intuitive. Therefore, make an effort to ensure that your Italians colleagues like
and trust you.
 Networking can be an almost full-time occupation in Italy. Personal contacts allow people to
get ahead.
 Take the time to ask questions about your business colleagues family and personal interests,
as this helps build the relationship
 Italians are extremely expressive communicators. They tend to be wordy, eloquent,
emotional, and demonstrative, often using facial and hand gestures to prove their point.
Etiquettes & Customs in Japan

Meeting Etiquettes

 Greetings in Japan are very formal and ritualized.

 It is important to show the correct amount of respect and deference to someone based upon
their status relative to your own.
 Wait to be introduced.
 It is considered impolite to introduce yourself, even in a large gathering.
 While foreigners are expected shake hands, the traditional form of greeting is the bow.
 How far you bow depends upon your relationship to the other person as well as the situation.
The deeper you bow, the more respect you show.
 A foreign visitor ('gaijin') may bow the head slightly since no one expects foreigners to
generally understand the subtle nuances of bowing.
 Gift Giving Etiquette

 In Japan, gift-giving is highly ritualistic and meaningful.

 The ceremony of presenting the gift and the way in which it is wrapped is as important, and
sometimes more important, than the gift itself.
 Gifts are given for many occasions.
 The gift need not be expensive, but take great care to ask someone who understands the
culture to help you decide what type of gift to give.
 Good quality chocolates or small cakes are a good idea.
 Do not give lilies, camellias or lotus blossoms as they are associated with funerals and avoid
white flowers of any kind as they are associated with funerals.
 Do not give potted plants as they encourage sickness, although a bonsai tree is always
acceptable.
 Give items in odd numbers, but not 9 (the numbers 9 and 4 are considered unlucky in Japan)
 If you buy the gift in Japan, have it wrapped. Pastel colours are the best choices for
wrapping paper.
 Gifts are not necessarily opened upon receipt.

Business or Workplace Practices in Japan

WHAT TO WEAR

 It is important to dress smartly and conservatively.

 Men should wear a dark suit in the winter months with white shirt and tie that is not brightly
coloured.
 As the summer months can be very hot it is acceptable to wear half sleeve shirts and light
grey
suits.
 Women should also dress conservatively, wear hair either short or tied back. Conspicuous
jewellery or short skirts are not considered appropriate.

BUSINESS CARDS

 Business cards are exchanged constantly and with great ceremony.

 Invest in quality cards.
 Always keep your business cards in pristine condition.
 Treat the business card you receive as you would the person.
 You may be given a business card that is only in Japanese.
 It is wise to have one side of your business card translated into Japanese.
 Give your business card with the Japanese side facing the recipient.
 Make sure your business card includes your title, so your Japanese colleagues know your
status within your organization.
 Business cards are given and received with two hands and a slight bow.

1. Respond to the following processing questions:

A. What are the things you’ve learned or realized from doing this activity?

The things that I’ve been learned was their culture and etiquette that their apply
everyday when they are meet someone or how they are proper approach properly
that are used to doing. Also, when I doing this activity I realized that every country
and organization we have a proper protocol to follow to make it have a good
knowledge to our etiquette.

B. How are these learnings or realizations helpful and applicable in your future work in a
tourism and hospitality establishment?

The learning that helpful for me is to know their proper etiquette and culture they have. I have
knowledge and give an idea If I am going or work to their country in the future. Also, I can apply
to myself if I am going to their country and not being ignorant.

REFERENCES

1. Guides to Culture, Customs and Etiquette for 80+ Countries. (a.n.d.).

https://www.commisceo?global.com/resources/country-guide