CULTURAL

DIFFERENCES
  The feeling of disorientation
experienced by someone when they are
CULTURAL SHOCK suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar
culture, way of life, or set of attitudes.
 South African guests visiting tribes or townships are often offered a cultural or
locally known delicacy as a form of greeting and respect. This can range from
insects to organs from sacrificed animals, and if not eaten , you are seen as
disrespectful and offensive to locals
Most westerns grow up with a ‘clear
your plate’ view of eating. However,
clearing your plate in some
countries such as china is seen as a
sign that you’d like more food.

Your host may find it offensive or it

could result them simply offering
you more food.
Travelers in Bulgaria will find the
way they generally interact with
people is different.

Nodding your head means ‘No’ and

shaking your head means ‘Yes’. Try
not to mix these up or your
conversation with the locals may go
sour rather quickly.
Is customer always right???
If you’re used to the western philosophy of “Customer is always right”,
where they went as far as to change the food they serve according to the
preferences of other countries, you may find yourself in an iffy when you
are in Greece.

Criticize a business owner in Greece, and it’s likely they’ll tell you to
leave their shop in a less than polite fashion.
Kissing as greeting
The French greeting of kissing both cheeks can be a culture shock to those who grew up in
countries and cultures shock to those who grew up in countries and cultures without PDA. This
ritual is very important to French and holds a long standing place in French culture.
MOST DUTCH TRY TO HAVE THEIR DINNER
AT ABOUT SIX O’CLOCK AND YOU WON’T
FIND MANY DUTCH ONLINE AT THAT
MOMENT, AT LEAST NOT WHEN THEY HAVE
A FAMILY.
‘TIMES CHANGE’ IN FRANCE WHERE DINNER YOU THEREFORE WILL NOT ORGANIZE A
TIME IS AT ABOUT 8PM,WHILE IN SPAIN IT IS WEBINAR AT 6PM IN HOLLAND OR DURING
SOMETIMES AT 9PM OR EVEN 10PM, BUT LUNCH IN SPAIN.
THEN AGAIN, THEY WILL TAKE A ‘SIESTA’
WHICH WILL KEEP THEM OFFLINE DURING
LUNCH TIME.
In the Netherlands, the colour Orange For the Dutch orange means partying, In Ukraine, the colour Orange stands for
stands for the Royal Family and the both on Queensway, a national holiday, ‘revolution’ against the government.
Dutch National Soccer team. as with many soccer matches.
 Europe as a whole is considered to be very individualistic, as opposed to family
oriented as the culture in many Asian countries.
 Consensus decision-making is the rule
 Take hard decisions and care for others
simultaneously.
 A prime example of this is Sweden, where the
stereotype is that groups take a “fika” (coffee break)
every now and again and go through the feelings
and opinions of each and every person.
 Femininity or person-orientation is high in Nordic
countries and power distance tends to be lower.
 An air of continuous competition with
few rules, however fair play is
expected.
 These countries are quick to accept
change and are somewhat
uncomfortable and restless if the
pace is too slow.
 A common trait in Anglophone
countries is decisive management
after thorough discussions.
 Masculinity is relatively high and
long term orientation low.
 Lots of rules and the trust lies in “experts”.
 Masculinity is very high.
 Ordered, structured and inflexible, where planning
and procedures are key – “Ordnung muss sein”.