Unit 2 Cultural Stereotypes and Management

Exercise 1. Read the task and answer the questions.

You have probably heard jokes like this (British) one.

What is the difference between heaven and hell? In heaven, the French are the cooks, the Germans are the engineers, the British are the politicians, the Swiss are the managers, and the Italians are the lovers. In hell, the British are the cooks, the French are the managers, the Italians are the engineers, the Germans are the politicians, and the Swiss are the lovers.

Do you find such stereotypes amusing or offensive? Is there any truth in national stereotypes? Do cultural habits have an effect on business practices and management styles?

Exercise 2.

Match up the following adjectives into pairs of opposites.

arrogant generous lazy narrow-minded quiet conservative

chaotic hospitable lively individualistic relaxed trustworthy

hard-working noisy mean progressive reserved unfriendly

devious tolerant modest public-spirited serious well-organized

Do you think any of these descriptions could apply, in general, to the people in your country, or in neighbouring countries?

Exercise 3.

Which countries or nationalities do you think the following descriptions might apply to? Here is the list of countries and nationalities.

Southern Europeans , Northern Europeans, Latin Americans, North Americans, Australians, new Zealanders, Germans, Dutch, Swiss, Scandinavians, Japanese, Singaporeans, Americans, Asian countries, Arab countries, North African countries, Middle Eastern countries.

1.They believe that personal relationships and friendships are more important than rules and formal procedures.

2. They believe that rules are very important, and exceptions shouldn’t be made for friends.

3. They’re collectivist, so they dislike the idea of one person in a group earning much more than his or her colleagues.

4. They’re efficient, punctual, and highly organized.

5. They’re great believers in analysis, rationality, logic and systems.

6. They’re individualistic, so paying people according to their performance is highly successful.

7. They like to spend time getting to know people before doing business with them.

8. They place great stress on personal relations, intuition, emotion, feeling and sensitivity.

9. They seem to be very disorganized, but on the other hand, they get their business done.

10. They accord status and respect to older people, and promotion comes with age.

11. They’re very keen to find a consensus and to avoid confrontations.

12. They’re very short –term oriented, thinking only of quarterly results.

Are these stereotypes fair or unfair? Do stereotypes help or hinder business relationships?

Questions to discuss.

1. What would you find difficult if you had to go and work in a very different culture from your own?

2. What advice would you give to a foreign manager who is going to manage staff in your country?

Listening

You are going to listen to the conversations between people – the representatives of different countries.

(CD)Task 1. Rachel, who is from the UK, is on a business trip to Russia. Alexandra is a business contact. Listen to their conversation. Then answer the following questions:

1. What does Alexandra invite Rachel to do?

2. Does Rachel accept?

(CD)Task 2. Listen to the conversation between Rachel and Alexandra again. Complete the following extract:

Rachel : Well, it’s very …, Alexandra, but I think I’d like to relax at the hotel tonight … don’t … I’m a bit tired , quite honestly.

Alexandra : Are you sure? You’d really enjoy it.

Rachel : It’s very kind of you, but perhaps …

(CD) Task 3.Marta is being entertained by Sven, who works for the company she is visiting on a business trip to Sweden. Listen to their conversation. Below are the answers to three questions. What were the questions?

1. Well, Marta, people like to be in the open air.

2. I usually watch television.

3. Well, generally I spend time with my children.

(CD) Task 4. Listen to another conversation between Sven and Marta. What did Sven do to entertain Marta?

(CD)Task 5. Listen again. In which order do you hear these sentences?

a. I’m glad you enjoyed the tour.

b. We’ll be in touch soon.

c. I hope you have a good journey back.

d. Thanks for showing me round the city

e. Thanks very much for your hospitality.

f. I really enjoyed the meal tonight.

Exercise 4. Role – play the following situation.

You meet a business contact in a foreign country. Find out the information below. Also tell them about yourself using a) to d) as a guide.

a). how they spend their weekends

b). where they go for their holidays

c). what they do in the evenings

d). what kinds of hobbies and sports they like

Useful language

Making excuses

It’s very kind of you, but…

I’d like to take it easy/relax if you don’t mind

It’s very kind of you, but another time perhaps.

Making conversation

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Where are you going for your holiday this year?

Can you tell me about any interesting places to visit?

What/How about you?

Showing interest

Interesting!

Really?

Saying goodbye/Thanking your host

Thanks very much for your hospitality.

Thanks for showing me round the city/town

I’ll be in touch soon

Goodbye. All the best.