Cross culture seminar slides

Culture Seminar Powerpoint slides

Cultural training seminar- Alex Case
Slide 1
We are going to look at:
Gestures/body language
Common misunderstandings
Cultural differences
Reasons for differences
Gestures that vary by country slide 1

Stop
Go away
Come here
Okay

Gestures that vary by country slide 2

Money/ cash
 (I’m) sad
Time out
Cut/ time up/ stop speaking

Gestures that vary by country slide 3

Crazy
 (Waiter) the bill/ check
Six
You

Gestures that vary by country slide 4

Me/ I
A drink
 (A cup of) tea
Two

Gestures that vary by country slide 5

Peace
Victory
I don’t know
So-so

Gestures that vary by country slide 6

Stupid me!
Mind your own business/ don’t interfere
Girl/ woman/ she
 (You’re) late

Gestures that vary by country slide 7

I swear/ I promise
 (They are) together
Zero/ nought
A bribe/ a backhander/ money under the table

Gestures that vary by country slide 8

Delicious/ tasty
One more time/ repeat
 Great/ wonderful
I doubt (it)/ (I’m) not sure

Gestures that vary by country slide 9

Snob/ superior/ arrogant
Be quiet/ shut up
Bad
Hi/ hello

Gestures that vary by country slide 10

(Just) talk/ talkative
Yes
No
I hope/ I wish/ good luck

Gestures that vary by country slide 11
Thumbs up
Thumbs down
Raising your eyebrows
Gestures that vary by country slide 12
Cut your palm across your neck
Circle with your thumb and index finger
Point with your index finger
Gestures that vary by country slide 13

Index fingers together side by side
Show your index and middle finger
Point to your nose

Common cultural misunderstandings Slide One Part One
This
Situation: The Japanese teacher used a gesture to explain the word “watashi”, meaning I
Result:

Common cultural misunderstandings Slide One Part Two
This
Situation: The Japanese teacher used a gesture to explain the word “watashi”, meaning I
Result: Everyone thought “watashi” meant “nose”
Reason:
Common cultural misunderstandings Slide One Part Three
This
Situation: The Japanese teacher used a gesture to explain the word “watashi”, meaning I
Result: Everyone thought “watashi” meant “nose”
Reason: Japanese point at their nose to mean “me”, not at their chest
Common cultural misunderstandings Slide Two Part One
Witness
Situation: Japanese in US trials sit up very straight or look down respectfully
Result:
Common cultural misunderstandings Slide Two Part Two
Witness
Situation: Japanese in US trials sit up very straight or look down respectfully
Result: The Americans think they are guilty and/ or are lying
Reason: Common cultural misunderstandings Slide Two Part Three
Witness
Situation: Japanese in US trials sit up very straight or look down respectfully
Result: The Americans think they are guilty and/ or are lying
Reason: In the US, you should look relaxed and natural, and make eye contact.

Common cultural misunderstandings Slide Three Part One

Concentration
Situation: Teachers noticed Asians closing their eyes when listening
Result:
Common cultural misunderstandings Slide Three Part Two

Concentration
Situation: Teachers noticed Asians closing their eyes when listening
Result: The teachers were angry
Reason:
Common cultural misunderstandings Slide Three Part Three

Concentration
Situation: Teachers noticed Asians closing their eyes when listening
Result: The teachers were angry
Reason: It was to improve concentration, but the teachers thought they were sleeping

 
Common cultural misunderstandings Slide Four Part One

Difficulties
Japanese negotiator: ‘That’s difficult’
Dutch negotiator:
Common cultural misunderstandings Slide Four Part Two

Difficulties
Japanese negotiator: ‘That’s difficult’
Dutch negotiator: ‘Tell us the problem and we’ll find the solution’.
Result:
Common cultural misunderstandings Slide Four Part Three

Difficulties
Japanese negotiator: ‘That’s difficult’
Dutch negotiator: ‘Tell us the problem and we’ll find the solution’.
Result: The meeting finished with no further progress.
Reason:
Common cultural misunderstandings Slide Four Part Four

Difficulties
Japanese negotiator: ‘That’s difficult’
Dutch negotiator: ‘Tell us the problem and we’ll find the solution’.
Result: The meeting finished with no further progress.
Reason: The Japanese side was saying “No”

Common cultural misunderstandings Slide Five Part One
Discipline
Situation: A Japanese manager told an American subordinate his work was bad
Result:

Common cultural misunderstandings Slide Five Part Two
Discipline
Situation: A Japanese manager told an American subordinate his work was bad
Result: It took 5 meetings before he changed
Reason:
Common cultural misunderstandings Slide Five Part Three
Discipline
Situation: A Japanese manager told an American subordinate his work was bad
Result: It took 5 meetings before he changed
Reason: The American didn’t understand that he was being criticized

Common cultural misunderstandings Slide Six Part One
A letter of complaint
Situation: A Japanese company wrote to complain about a US company’s software
Result:
Common cultural misunderstandings Slide Six Part Two
A letter of complaint
Situation: A Japanese company wrote to complain about a US company’s software
Result: The Americans just offered them advice, not a replacement or a refund.
Reason:
Common cultural misunderstandings Slide Six Part Three
A letter of complaint
Situation: A Japanese company wrote to complain about a US company’s software
Result: The Americans just offered them advice, not a replacement or a refund.
Reason: The Japanese company apologised so often the Americans thought it was their fault
Common cultural misunderstandings Slide Seven Part One
Yes?
Situation: The British team were happy that the Japanese agreed with everything
Result:
Common cultural misunderstandings Slide Seven Part Two
Yes?
Situation: The British team were happy that the Japanese agreed with everything
Result: The British were very surprised when the proposal was rejected
Reason:
Common cultural misunderstandings Slide Seven Part Three
Yes?
Situation: The British team were happy that the Japanese agreed with everything
Result: The British were very surprised when the proposal was rejected
Reason: They had been nodding, but only to show they were listening

Common cultural misunderstandings Slide Eight Part One
Refusing
Situation: They asked the Japanese guest ‘Don’t you want milk in your coffee?’
Result: Common cultural misunderstandings Slide Eight Part Two
Refusing
Situation: They asked the Japanese guest ‘Don’t you want milk in your coffee?’
Result: The Japanese guest tried to refuse but was given milk anyway.
Reason:
Common cultural misunderstandings Slide Eight Part Three
Refusing
Situation: They asked the Japanese guest ‘Don’t you want milk in your coffee?’
Result: The Japanese guest tried to refuse but was given milk anyway.
Reason: He was trying to say “Yes, you’re right. I don’t want any”, but in English “Yes” means “Yes, I do”

Cultural training Powerpoint slide- Types of cultural differences (one slide, to come up point by point)
body language and gestures
eye contact
directness and indirectness
body contact and personal space
gifts
hospitality and visits
taboo topics
gender roles
status
greetings
religion
clothing
weights and measures
forms of address
service and tipping

Reasons for cultural differences
Powerpoint slides

Slide One Part 1
The reason behind this is probably some kind of sexual taboo.

Slide One Part 2
You should not ask an Arab about the health etc. of the female member of their family. The reason behind this is probably some kind of sexual taboo.

Slide Two Part 1
There are two separate reasons behind this. One is that it keeps the sun off your body and keeps you cool, and the other is a taboo against showing any part of a woman’s body that could be considered sexually attractive.

Slide Two Part 2
Arabic men and women both wear loose clothing that covers their whole bodies. There are two separate reasons behind this. One is that it keeps the sun off your body and keeps you cool, and the other is a taboo against showing any part of a woman’s body that could be considered sexually attractive.

Slide Three Part 1
The commonest explanation given for this is that feet are considered unclean.

Slide Three Part 2
As in many other countries, you should be careful where you put your feet and never show the soles of your feet to an Arab person. The commonest explanation given for this is that feet are considered unclean.

Slide Four Part 1
This is because people traditionally used this one to clean themselves after they went to the toilet.

Slide Four Part 2
Many people in the Middle East and Asia don’t eat, pass food, wave or shake hands with their left hands. This is because people traditionally used this one to clean themselves after they went to the toilet.

Slide Five Part 1
This may be because of the taboo against men touching women in public. After all, holding hands is nice and everyone wants to do it with someone!

Slide Five Part 2
Men in Arab countries and some other Middle Eastern and Asian countries often hug, kiss, walk arm in arm with and even hold hands with their male relatives and friends. This may be because of the taboo against men touching women in public. After all, holding hands is nice and everyone wants to do it with someone!

Slide Six Part 1
One possible explanation is that it quite often lead to food poisoning in places like the Arabian desert. The taboo against shell fish etc. might be for the same reason.

Slide Six Part 2
Pork is forbidden to Muslims. One possible explanation is that it quite often lead to food poisoning in places like the Arabian desert. The taboo against shell fish etc. might be for the same reason.

Slide Seven Part 1
The most likely explanation is that the harsh desert environment the Arabs came from meant help from others was often needed.

Slide Seven Part 2
Arabs are traditionally very hospitable to strangers. The most likely explanation is that the harsh desert environment the Arabs came from meant help from others was often needed.

Slide Eight Part 1
in order to show your appreciation and that you are full.

Slide Eight Part 2
In some countries it is considered polite to burp after meals in order to show your appreciation and that you are full.

Slide Nine Part 1
The reason for this could be connected to the need to show hospitality at home by keeping a guest’s plate full.

Slide Nine Part 2
Turkish waiters clear your plates from the table as soon as you have finished eating from it, and sometimes before! The reason for this could be connected to the need to show hospitality at home by keeping a guest’s plate full.

Slide 10 Part 1
probably to give themselves a high that they are not allowed to get from alcohol. Another likely explanation is that it goes well with their love of taking their time and socializing. One further way explanation is that coffee comes from this part of the world.

Slide 10 Part 2
People in many Arab and other Islam countries drink lots of sweet, strong coffee and tea and smoke a lot (e.g. hubble bubble pipes). probably to give themselves a high that they are not allowed to get from alcohol. Another likely explanation is that it goes well with their love of taking their time and socializing. One further way explanation is that coffee comes from this part of the world.

Slide 11 Part 1
because he might feel he has to give it to you to be hospitable.

Slide 11 Part 2
You should be careful about complimenting any of your Arab host’s possessions because he might feel he has to give it to you to be hospitable.

Slide 12 Part 1
because dogs are considered dirty and are therefore a taboo subject.

Slide 12 Part 2
You need to be careful talking about your pets or showing them to a Middle Eastern friend because dogs are considered dirty and are therefore a taboo subject.

Slide 13 Part 1
as both ‘thumbs up’ and a circle with thumb and index finger are sexual gestures.

Slide 13 Part 2
You need to be careful when gesturing that something is okay as both ‘thumbs up’ and a circle with thumb and index finger are sexual gestures.