JAPAN CULTURES

FOOD

TEMPURA SUSHI SUKIYAKI DESSERT CAKE SASHIMI RAMEN

PERSONALITY
POLITE INTELLIGENT HARD-WORKING  SHY
Everyone has heard of There’s a definite A hard-worker or An overall impression of the citizens
the traditional Japanese stereotype of people “hataraki-mono” is of Japan is that they’re very shy
bow used as a greeting from Asian countries definitely a common people, or “hazukashigariya”. This
during any given being the brainy word that classifies a might be linked to their focus on
exchange. cream of the crop. Japanese mindset. politeness and respect.
RESPECTFUL KIND FORMAL
Another tie-in with polite, respectful or Unlike polite, which Tying in with polite, Japan PUNCTUAL
ETIQUETTE “tanin ni taishite keii wo hyo suru” to can have its has a reputation for being Japan takes its time
loosely describe it in Japanese, is a downsides, kind is a very formal. This manifests management very
mainly positive word. However, it can genuinely positive itself in both manner and seriously.
sometimes be associated with distance. word. language.
Shoes: upon entering a house or a Japanese Chopsticks: while most restaurants in
inn take off your shoes in the entryway .You Blowing your nose: most Japan Japan do offer Western-style cutlery, you
will usually be provided with slippers. Slippers travel guides emphasize the fact that might encounter situations, where you
have to be taken off when stepping it is considered very rude to blow have no choice but to use chopsticks
on tatami floor though. your nose in public.
Shower first: when taking a bath in a private Japanese
Bathing habits: Japanese are pretty home or in the shared bath of a ryokan or a hotel, you will
Bowing: Japanese people do not shake hands when passionate about taking. Despite the
greeting each other. The way of bowing reflects each introduction of Western-style need to take a shower first. Japanese inns, hotels as well
person’s social status. as hot springs ( 温泉 onsen) offer communal shower
bathrooms equipped with showers, it is facilities satisfying all imaginable needs of body hygiene,
Eating habits: start your meal by stating the still customary for a Japanese family to often providing even shavers and tooth brushes.
phrase “itadakimasu” ( いただきます , lit. “I humbly take a bath at night, not only in winter,
receive”, “bon appetit”) to show your gratitude to but also on sultry summer nights.
whoever contributed to your meal by hunting,
fishing, cultivating and/or preparing it, conclude it Drinking manners: never pour alcoholic beverages for yourself,
with “gochisōsama deshita ( ごちそうさまでした , always share with others and serve according to seniority. If you
“Thanks for a good meal”). have poured for others, another guest will usually pour you, too.

KOREA FOOD

RAMEN TOPOKKI KIMBAP BIBIMBAP FISH CAKE KIMCHI BULGOGI SAMGYEOPSAL

PERSONALITY
SLEEPLESS EMOTIONAL HUMILITY PRESSURED
Korea’s really a night owl’s Within their Confucian Koreans value humility and do There’s a lot of
paradise. After work, friends framework, emotions must not appreciate people who boast pressure to get
like to get together and have be discreetly controlled in about their accomplishments. ahead in all facets of
dinner with a few drinks. public. life in Korea.
RESPECT IMPATIENT
HARDWORK Koreans have a long tradition of Koreans have a ppalli-ppalli ( 빨리빨리 ) culture
Koreans put extreme effort into valuing the knowledge an experience (meaning “hurry, hurry”) which focuses on
accomplishing things they deem of their parents and grandparents. getting things done as quick as possible.
important.
ETIQUETTE •Do not pick up food with your hands. Fruit should be speared with a
•Greetings follow strict rules of protocol. toothpick.
•Bones and shells should be put on the table or an extra plate.
•Many South Koreans shake hands with expatriates after the bow,
•Try a little bit of everything. It is acceptable to ask what something is.
thereby blending both cultural styles.
•Refuse the first offer of second helpings.
•Wait to be introduced at a social gathering.
•Finish everything on your plate.
•When you leave a social gathering, say good-bye and bow to each
•Indicate you are finished eating by placing your chopsticks on the chopstick
person individually.
rest or on the table. Never place them parallel across your rice bowl.
•Wait to be told where to sit. There is often a strict protocol to be followed.
•The eldest are served first. •It is common for guests to meet at a common spot and travel together.
•The oldest or most senior person is the one who starts the eating process. •You may arrive up to 30 minutes late without giving offence.
•Never point your chopsticks. •Remove your shoes before entering the house.
•Chopsticks should be returned to the table after every few bites and when •The hosts greet each guest individually.
you drink or stop to speak. •The host pours drinks for the guests in their presence. The hostess does not
•Do not cross your chopsticks when putting them on the chopstick rest. pour drinks.
 TAIWAN FOOD

MEATBALLS BEEFROLLS TOFU SCALLION CHITTERLINGS BEEF OYA MISUA

OYSTER GLUTIONOUS FATTY
PANCAKES NOODLE PANCAKESOIL RICE MINCED
SOUP PORK ON
PERSONALITY RICE
FRIENDLY HONEST HARDWORKING SMART
never found a single I never had anything That money they countless stories of travellers trying to
Taiwanese person who wasstolen in Taiwan. have is very well communicate with local people by
unwilling to talk with me. earned. non-verbal means – sign language of
sorts.

TECHNOLOGICALLY SOPHISTICATED POLITE
being able to go into a photo shop with any Taiwanese people don’t blow their FUNNY
kind of data card or disc and just handing it to noses on the restaurant floor Taiwanese love to
the guy behind the counter without any (unlike some other people I’ve joke around.
questions being asked. encountered in a neighbouring
ETIQUETTE country).

•Greetings are formal and the oldest person in a group is always greeted
first.
•Handshakes are the most common form of greeting with foreigners.
•Many Taiwanese look towards the ground as a sign of respect when
greeting someone.
•When you are first meeting a person, address the person by their
academic, professional, or honorific title and their surname.
•If those you are meeting want to move to a first name basis, they will
advise you which name to use.
•The Taiwanese like food and a nice food basket or a bottle of good
quality alcohol are gifts.
•Do not give white flowers or chrysanthemums as they signify death.
•Do not wrap gifts in white, blue or black paper.
•Red, pink and yellow are considered to be auspicious colours.
•Greet or introduce the most important person first.
•If you are in a group, try to assemble in rank order, with the most
senior person first.
CHINA FOOD
•Elaborate gift wrapping is imperative.
•Do not give an odd number of gifts, since odd numbers are considered
unlucky.
•Four is also an unlucky number. Do not give four of anything.
•Eight is the luckiest number. Giving eight of something brings luck to the
recipient.
•The Taiwanese prefer to entertain in public places rather than in their home,
especially when entertaining foreigners. If you are invited to a Taiwanese
home, it will happen once you have developed a relationship and should be
considered a great honour.
•A handshake is the common greeting.
•Handshakes are not as firm as in many other countries.
•Men should wait for a woman to extend her hand.
•Many Taiwanese lower their eyes during the greeting as a sign of
respect.
•People are usually addressed by their title and surname.

CHICKEN SPRING MOON SIOMAI FRIED RICE WONTONS SWEET PEKING STIR FRY SIOPAO
FEET ROLL CAKE AND DUCK VEGETABLE
SOUR
FRIED
NOODLES CHOPSUEY

FRIENDLY AND SMILING NOT EXPRESSIVE
PERSONALITY well, not all Chinese are Chinese generally don’t express
INDIRECTNESS friendly and smiling, at their feelings very well.
Chinese can also be very indirect, least not all the time.
APOLOGIZING
sometimes painfully so, especially UNCERTAINTY Is important in China. The methods, manners
when talking about something that Chinese have a high and the way it is carried out is affected by the
bothers them or may cause them to tolerance for uncertainty, rank and identity of the person apologizing
look bad. Many feel comfortable and and the person being apologized to and is
SHY AND SELF-CONSCIOUS even thrive in it. often conducted in a way that is often
When they are around MODEST conducted in a way that is difficult for
ETIQUETTE foreigners or in situations which They rarely grant interviews Westerners to comprehend.
they are not used to. and little is known about
them.
•Greetings are formal and the oldest person is always greeted first.
•Handshakes are the most common form of greeting with foreigners. •Never eat the last piece from the serving tray.
•Many Chinese will look towards the ground when greeting someone. •Be observant to other peoples' needs.
•The Chinese have a terrific sense of humour. They can laugh at themselves •Chopsticks should be returned to the chopstick rest after every few bites
most readily if they have a comfortable relationship with the other person. and when you drink or stop to speak.
Be ready to laugh at yourself given the proper circumstances. •Do not be offended if a Chinese person makes slurping or belching
•The Chinese like food and a nice food basket will make a great gift. sounds; it merely indicates that they are enjoying their food.
•Do not give scissors, knives or other cutting utensils as they indicate the •The Chinese don't like doing business with companies they don't know, so
severing of the relationship. working through an intermediary is crucial. This could be an individual or
•Do not give clocks, handkerchiefs or straw sandals as they are associated an organization who can make a formal introduction and vouch for the
with funerals and death. reliability of your company.
•Before arriving in China send materials (written in Chinese) that describe
•Gifts may be refused three times before they are accepted. your company, its history, and literature about your products and services.
•The Chinese prefer to entertain in public places rather than in their The Chinese often use intermediaries to ask questions that they would
homes, especially when entertaining foreigners. prefer not to make directly.
•Business relationships are built formally after the Chinese get to know you.
•The Chinese prefer face-to-face meetings rather than written or •Be very patient. It takes a considerable amount of time and is bound up with
telephonic communication. enormous bureaucracy.
 THAILAND FOOD

SPICY FRIED NOODLE CHICKEN IN SPICY GREEN CHICKEN FRIED RICE GREEN SPICY FRIED BASIL RED CURRY
SHRIMP NOODLES SOUP COCONUT PAPAYA W/ CASHEW CHICKEN BEEF AND PORK
SOUP SALAD NUTS CURRY
SOUP

PERSONALITY DECEPTIVE SMILES PATIENCE

Thais have a smile for This is certainly an
BUSINESS ETHICS   COOL HEARTED
all occasions, a friendly important virtue in
They are somewhat fluid. If This is probably the single
smile, a disapproving Thailand; nothing
there’s money to be made, biggest trait that makes
smile, an insulted happens in a
corners might be cut, ideas Thailand such a relaxed social
smile. hurry.
copied, teachers switched at the place.
last minute, and tax receipts HOSPITALITY
fudged. You will surprised of the natural hospitality of
 RESPECT
Thai's. We will do our best to make our foreign
It starts at the top with their beloved King
guests happy.
and percolates down in a complex hierarchy
of status and seniority.

ETIQUETTE
•Thais generally use first rather than surnames, with the honorific title
Khun before the name. Khun is an all- purpose form of address that is
appropriate for both men and women
•In general, wait for your host and hostess to introduce you to the other
guests. This allows everyone to understand your status relative to their
own, and thus know who performs the wai and how low the head should
be bowed.
•If invited to a Thai's home, a gift is not expected, although it will be
appreciated.
•Gifts should be wrapped attractively, since appearance matters. Bows and
ribbons add to the sense of festivity.
•Appropriate gifts are flowers, good quality chocolates or fruit.
•Do not give marigolds or carnations, as they are associated with
funerals.
•A fork and spoon are the usual eating utensils. However, noodles are
often eaten with chopsticks.
•The spoon is held in the right hand and the fork in the left. The fork is
used to guide food on to the spoon. Sticky rice, a northern Thai delicacy,
is often eaten with the fingers of the right hand.
•Wait to be asked before taking a second helping.
•Do not lick your fingers.
•Thais prefer doing business with people they respect.
PHILIPPINES FOOD
•Try to avoid wrapping a gift in green, black or blue as these are used at
funerals and in mourning.
•Gold and yellow are considered royal colours, so they make good wrapping
paper.
•Only use red wrapping paper if giving a gift to a Chinese Thai.
•Gifts are not opened when received.
•Money is the usual gift for weddings and ordination parties.
•Arrive close to the appointed time, although being a few minutes late will not
cause offence.
•Check to see if the host is wearing shoes. If not, remove yours before
entering the house.
•Ask another guest to confirm the dress code.
•Step over the threshold rather than on it. This is an old custom that may be
dying out with younger Thais, but erring on the side of conservatism is always
a good idea.
•Relationships develop slowly and do not flourish after one meeting; it may
take several meetings.
•Always be respectful and courteous when dealing with others as this leads to
the harmonious relationships necessary within business.
•Appointments are necessary and should be made one month in advance.
•You should arrive at meetings on time as it signifies respect for the person
you are meeting.
•Since Thai's judge you on your clothing and accessories, ensure that your
shoes are always highly polished.

LECHON LIEMPO CHICHARON LECHON SINIGANG AFRITADA PALABOK ADOBO BISTEK ARROZ DINUGUAN BICOL
MANOK CALDO EXPRESS
PERSONALITY FAITH AND RELIGIOSITY- HARDWORK AND 
FAMILY ORIENTED - Filipinos posses a genuineFilipinos have a deep faith in God. INDUSTRY- Filipinos
and deep love for the family which includes not have the capacity for
simply spouse and children, parents and CONSISTENCY - There is hard work given
siblings, but also grandparents, aunts and generally a recognizable order proper conditions.
uncles, cousins, godparents, and other and regularity to behaviors.
ceremonial relatives. FLEXIBILITY, 
ABILITY TO SURVIVE- Filipinos ADAPTABILITY AND 
KANYA KANYA SYNDROME- Filipinos have have an ability to survive, which is
CREATIVELY- Filipinos have a
a selfish, self-serving attitude that generates manifested in our capacity for
great capacity to adjust and to
a feeling of envy and competitiveness endurance despite difficult times adapt to circumstances and
towards others, particularly one’s peers who in our ability to get by on so very
the surrounding environment,
seem to have gained some status or prestige. little.
both physical and social.
ETIQUETTE Dress well. Appearances matter and you will be judged on how you dress.
•Initial greetings are formal and follow a set protocol of greeting the eldest or •Compliment the hostess on the house.
most important person first. •Send a handwritten thank you note to the hosts in the week following the
•A handshake, with a welcoming smile, is the standard greeting. dinner or party. It shows you have class.
•Close female friends may hug and kiss when they meet. •Wait to be asked several times before moving into the dining room or
•Use academic, professional, or honorific titles and the person's surname until helping yourself to food.
you are invited to use their first name, or even more frequently, their nickname. •Wait to be told where to sit. There may be a seating plan.
•Wrap gifts elegantly as presentation is important. There are no colour •Do not start eating until the host invites you to do so.
restrictions as to wrapping paper. •Therefore, if you leave the company, your replacement will need to build
•Gifts are not opened when received. their own relationship.
•It is best to arrive 15 to 30 minutes later than invited for a large party. •Presenting the proper image will facilitate building business relationships.
Dress conservatively and well at all times.
•A fork and spoon are the typical eating utensils. •Punctuality is expected. For the most part your Filipino colleagues will be
•Hold the fork in the left hand and use it to guide food to the spoon in your right
punctual as well.
hand. •Face-to-face meetings are preferred to other, more impersonal methods
•Filipinos thrive on interpersonal relationships, so it is advisable to be introduced
such as the telephone, fax, letter or email.
by a third party.
•It is crucial to network and build up a cadre of business associates you can call
upon for assistance in the future.
 HONGKONG FOOD

ROAST 
SWEET AND  WONTONS SHRIMP  WIND  EGGPLANT  PHOENIX  STEAMED 
SOUR PORK
GOOSEAND  SAND  W/ MINCED  TALON’S SHRIMP 
CHICKEN  CHICKEN PORK DUMPLINGS

SHARK FIN  RICKSHAW 
NOODLES PINEAPPLE  MANTOU BUNS
SOUP BUNS
PERSONALITY
VOICE THEIR OPINIONS/ COMPLAINTS ADVENTUROUS
Since the Tienanmen Massacre on Jun 4, There is a saying to describe the Hong Kong people, "The
1989, the Hong Kong people love to rally. excitement only lasts for 3 minutes." We love everything new,
Anything they don't think is right, they go on such as new food, new stores, new trends, new cars, new
a rally. phones and so forth.

QUICK, EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE GENEROUS NATURE LOVER

Hong Kong people always talk about efficiency. But Hong
Kong people do not have patience to wait that extra
minute. It is very common to see people running
towards a train which is already packed and the doors
are ready to close. They still squeeze right in.
LOVE TO BE IN THE CROWD
Some people get overwhelmed with the big
crowds in Hong Kong, especially those that have
immigrated to other countries and come back to
visit.
During the weekends, you may see The importance of health in the last couple decades
people in the streets carrying a bag encourage Hong Kong people to seek for the activities
and several sheets of stickers. They close to the Mother Nature. Two major ones are hiking
may approach you for a donation. and local farming.
SUPERSTITIOUS
Hong Kong people are superstitious one way
or the other. Even people in my generation
look and act very westernized, we sometimes
act with our superstitious beliefs.

ETIQUETTE
•The handshake is commonly used when greeting westerners.
•The Hong Kong Chinese handshake is rather light.
•During the greeting, many Hong Kong Chinese lower their eyes as a sign of
respect.
•Eight is a particularly auspicious number, so giving eight of something
bestows good fortune on the recipient.
•A small gift for the children is always appreciated; however, do not give green
hats.
•Always present gifts with two hands.
•Gifts are not opened when received.
•Table manners are rather relaxed in Hong Kong, although there are certain
rules of etiquette. When in doubt, watch what others do and emulate their
behaviour.
•Wait to be told where to sit. There is often a seating plan.
•Wait for the host to tell you to start eating or for him to begin eating.
• Food is served on a revolving tray.
•Do not place your chopsticks across the top of your bowl.
•The host offers the first toast. You may reciprocate later in the meal.
•Although businesspeople in Hong Kong do not require long-standing
personal relationships to do business, many businesses are family-
owned, so personal relationships are an integral part of the enterprise.
•Once you have begun to work with a Hong Kong businessperson, it is
important to maintain the relationship.
•When you first meet, expect a fair amount of small talk. Your Hong
Kong colleagues will want to get to know you well enough that they are
comfortable working with you.
•The Hong Kong Chinese take a long-term view of business
relationships.
•Hong Kong Chinese are direct communicators, although they also make
use of non-verbal communication.