+ With over 6000 years of history, Egypt’s culture is oriented to its past as much as it is oriented to its present. If you are a business traveler, build time in your schedule for sightseeing. Egyptians are proud of their culture and heritage and enjoy arranging tours for visitors. Do not consider such excursions a waste of time.

+ Kinship and familial ties play an all-important role in Egyptian social relations. The individual is subordinate to the family, tribe or group. The family often has more importance than business, and nepotism is viewed positively since it is patronage of one’s family.

+ In Egypt, a person’s promise is considered his or her bond, and to go back on one’s word is to bring dishonor to one’s entire family.

+ For an Arab country, Egypt has a relatively progressive attitude towards women’s rights. Many women work in business, although seldom in senior management positions. A high proportion of women are employed as doctors, dentists, lawyers, professors, diplomats, ministers and high officials.

+ Egyptians require little physical distance between speakers of the same sex. Men widen the gap considerably when speaking to a woman. They generally stand further away than you are accustomed to in your own culture. Attempting to close the gap could upset your Egyptian colleague, make him question your intentions, and jeopardize your business relationship.

+ Modify your speak pattern if you come from a culture that is direct and to the point. Arabic is a language of hyperbole.

+ Egyptians use indirect, circular, and ambiguous language rife with emotion. Although mirroring their speech pattern would be insulting, it is a good idea to temper directness. Your goal is to get your point across and this happens more readily if you speak in a manner that does not sound harsh and offensive to the listener.

- from RW3’s CultureWizard® Country Profiles

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+ Greeks are proud of their cultural heritage and their contribution to world civilization. A recent study found that Greeks’ pride in being Greek surpassed the ethnic satisfaction of all other European countries.

+ To a Greek, “philotimo” is similar to the Asian concept of face. It is an intangible quality that reflects a person’s reputation, dignity and prestige. Honor is everything to a Greek.

+ Greeks are spontaneously generous people, provided you do not offend them. They can be easily offended, for their pride matches their generosity. Therefore, they do not openly criticize, insult or put anyone on the spot.

+ Business is personal in Greece. As such, it is important to understand that exchanging favors is part of the business culture. If a Greek businessman feels sufficiently comfortable to ask you for a favor, it means he trusts you, which is necessary for successful business dealings.

+ As you might expect in a culture that appears spontaneous, Greeks often interrupt a speaker if they think that they understand what the person is saying. This conversational overlap is not rudeness, but merely the common communication style.

+ Greek businessmen will treat foreign businesswomen with the same courtesy and respect that they treat all women.

+ Women should expect attention and compliments from Greek men. While many businessmen are cosmopolitan, Greece remains a patriarchal culture. Men on the street may verbally show affection or make comments to women, believing such attention is flattering.

- from RW3’s CultureWizard® Country Profiles

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+ Ukrainians are extremely superstitious and avoid many behaviors. If you do something that they believe can cause harm, such as sitting on stone steps, someone will tell you that you risk doing great harm to yourself. Superstitions are derived from folk wisdom in rural communities.

+ The Ukrainian language is making a resurgence as the national language and a source of pride. It is the official language of instruction in schools and of the government. However, many older businesspeople in Kyiv still speak Russian

+ Ukrainians rely on a close network of family, friends, and co-workers as protection against the risks and unpredictability of daily life. Friends provide a vehicle to circumvent red tape and cut through bureaucracy. In business, friendships are called “svyazy” or connections.

+ The influences of the Russian Orthodox Church plus a long history of turbulent economic times, unstable governments and adverse climatic conditions produce a rather fatalistic approach towards life.

+ The Ukrainian communication style is very straightforward. Business is often conducted with minimal pleasantries. In fact, Ukrainians seldom use polite phrases such as “please” or “thank you,” which can make their requests sound more like orders. This is not meant to be rude; it is a cultural nuance.

+ For the most part, Ukrainians begin with the word no and gradually move to yes or perhaps.

+ Generally, Ukrainians do not display emotion when conversing. However, if they become angry or indignant, they will not hesitate to be extremely direct in stating their position.

- from RW3’s CultureWizard® Country Profiles

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+ Assignments in Thailand require a depth of cultural understanding. International businesspeople will find the Thais respectful and deferential to authority, much because of the respect the culture holds for their monarchy and Buddhism.

+ Social interactions are governed by formal expressions of courtesy and deference to age and social status. The wai is the common greeting: raise both hands, palms joined with the fingers pointing upwards as if in prayer, and lightly touch the body between the chest and the forehead.

+ Thais respect hierarchy. Social relationships are defined in terms of which person is superior to the other. Parents are superior to their children, teachers to their students, and bosses to their subordinates.

+ When Thais meet a stranger, they immediately try to place the person within a hierarchy so they know how to treat the person. This is why Thais often ask personal questions.

+ In many ways, Thailand is a matriarchal culture where women are afforded relative equality. In addition to having primary responsibility for the household and children, Thai women work outside the home, and many are entrepreneurs. Commerce has been a traditionally female domain.

+ Thai women are soft-spoken and gracious, even in business. In general, Thai businessmen have an easier time dealing with foreign women who adapt to the Thai demeanor. If a woman displays aggressive or domineering behavior, she will have a hard time being successful.

+ Thailand is known as the “land of smiles” and Thais often use smiles as a means of communication. Whereas people from many cultures would use the word please, Thais smile when making a request. Be sensitive to non-verbal expression in general.

- from RW3’s CultureWizard® Country Profiles

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The way people communicate is a vital part of understanding a culture. It’s crucial to recognize an indirect communication culture because the words someone uses are only a portion of the message being conveyed.

Cultures in countries like India, Thailand and Japan are very indirect in their style. This means that individuals often speak in a roundabout way by adapting the language to be somewhat general and extremely tactful. Non-verbal communication, such as facial expressions, tone of voice and posture, take on a very important role as clues about the full message. While the goal of an indirect communicator is still information, he or she strives to maintain harmony, avoid confrontation and save face for all parties.

If you work with indirect communicators in your business activities, be careful to pay close attention to these signals.

- from RW3’s CultureWizard®

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+ Mauritius is the largest island in the Indian Ocean, and shares some similarities with Caribbean Island cultures, especially in the mix of cultural heritage from indigenous, European, and African peoples.

+ Older generations in Mauritius can be superstitious. Many people believe in white magic. This involves using prayers and incantations for healing purposes.

+ Faith healers use onions, candles, and needles to cure minor health ailments or injuries. Many educated Mauritians who scoff at such behavior will seek the services of guérisseurs (faith healers) if traditional medicine fails them.

+ With the various ethnic groups living on the island (Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2%), there are a vast number of festivals each year. The most common other festivals are:

• January – Thai Poosam Kavadee
• February – Chinese New Year
• March – Holi
• April – Ougadi
• August – Rakhi
• September – Ganesh Chaturthi
• October – Divali
• November – Ganga Asnan

+ The tourist industry is a large part of the local economy, so Mauritians tend to be comfortable dealing with foreigners. Dressing well is important. Although skimpy clothing may be acceptable at resorts, it is frowned upon in towns.

+ Several languages are spoken in Mauritius. Almost everyone speaks Creole, a simplified form of French, which does not utilize gender differences. Verb tense is indicated by using “pou” to indicate the future and “ti” to indicate the past.

+ Using French denotes refinement, although the French used on the islands is somewhat more archaic than that used in France. English is also used by many, although it tends to be learned from written forms, making the speech pattern excessively polite.

- from RW3’s CultureWizard® Country Profiles

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+ In addition to the devastation of the numerous wars that have taken place in Afghanistan, ethnic diversity continues to be a source of conflict, as the nation addresses how to share power equitably while meeting the needs of all groups. Thus, culture in Afghanistan varies according to tribal and ethnic group.

+ Honor is a central cultural concept. The family’s honor can be enhanced if a child does well in school or attends university. The family’s honor can be lost if a female member is treated with disrespect. This can include something as simple as an unrelated male speaking to a woman.

+ As with many tribal cultures, hospitality is considered a virtue. Visitors to Afghan homes are offered the best the family has. This honors the family as well as the guest.

+ Inshallah, “if God wills,” is an expression often heard in Afghanistan. It underlies the fatalism and sense of predestination that prevails in the culture. This trait, common in Islamic cultures, has been underscored by years of violence and upheaval, in which literally no one knew if they would survive the next day or see someone again.

+ In business, you can set a fixed time for an appointment and can generally expect your counterpart to be on time, if conditions permit. Keep in mind, though, that transportation is not reliable and can pose a major challenge to punctuality.

+ When meeting someone, the proper greeting for both men and women is to put your hand over your heart and say, “Nice to meet you.” When greeting someone you know, ask the following questions: “How are you? How is your house? How is your health? How is your family?”

+ Afghan women do not touch men, so it is advisable not to initiate a handshake.

+ If you are invited to someone’s home for a meal or tea, you will be given snacks and your tea glass will be constantly filled until you put your hand over your cup and say “bas,” meaning enough, or until you turn your glass over.

- from RW3’s CultureWizard® Country Profiles

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+ Culturally and emotionally, Argentines often appear more European than Latin American. Most Argentines are of European descent, unlike other Latin American countries where European and Indian cultures are more mixed.

+ While Argentines are more group-oriented than North Americans, they are less so than their South American neighbors. In fact, one of Argentina’s favorite symbols is the gaucho — the legendary plainsman who is an independent, brave, loyal and generous warrior.

+ Argentines believe in being open and direct, yet pride themselves on being tactful and diplomatic. Their communication may also be indirect, elaborate, and complimentary. Argentines are warm and effusive and do not hide their passion or sentimentality.

+ Argentines prefer not to disagree in public, so do not misinterpret situations where no one challenges your statements or opinions. Decisions are often based upon the personal preference of the decision maker, which is why spending time to develop trust and personal relationships is crucial.

+ Avoid high-pressure sales tactics, which are seen as confrontational.

+ Business attire is conservative, yet stylish. Argentines may judge people on their appearance, especially their shoes. Leather goods are extremely important among Argentines.

- from RW3’s CultureWizard® Country Profiles

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+ Confucian thought influences the position of the individual in Korean culture. It is a system of behaviors and ethics that stresses the obligations of people towards one another based upon their relationship. The five basic relationships are:

Ruler and subject
Husband and wife
Parents and children
Brothers and sisters
Friend and friend

+ Chusok is a Korean holiday of giving thanks. It occurs during the harvest season and Korean families thank their ancestors for providing them with rice and fruit. On Chusok, people cook and set out food to celebrate their ancestors.

+ Kibun is a word with no literal translation; the closest terms are mood, feelings or state of mind. If you hurt someone’s kibun, you hurt their pride and cause them to lose dignity and face. Korean interpersonal relationships operate on the principle of harmony. It is important to maintain a peaceful, comfortable atmosphere, even if it means telling a being slightly untruthful.

+ In business, for example, a manager’s kibun is damaged if his subordinates do not show proper respect. A subordinate’s kibun is damaged if his manager criticizes him in public.

+ Greetings are friendly and follow strict rules of protocol. The most common greeting is a bow accompanied by the phrase “Anyanghasaeyo,” which literally means “Are you well?” and is generally translated as “Hello.” Many South Koreans shake hands with foreigners after the bow, thereby blending cultural styles.

+ Most executives’ offices are not on the same floor as their staffs’. Seniority is equated with rank and authority and demands strict conformity to a meticulously prescribed protocol. At the same time, South Koreans are amenable to adopting Western concepts of management.

+ Since this is a hierarchical culture, most decisions are made at the top and then given to the employees to implement.

- from RW3’s CultureWizard® Country Profiles

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+ Until quite recently, Canadian immigration policy has been very welcoming and egalitarian in its philosophy, celebrating diversity, and offering opportunities to anyone. This has created a cultural mosaic, where individuals are encouraged to retain their cultural identities, complete with traditions, languages and customs, upon immigration.

+ Canadians pride themselves on not needing to be homogeneous to have a strong, peaceful nation.

+ Since Canada is so diverse, it is difficult to determine a single communication style that is effective throughout the country. For example, an ethnic Chinese who lives in a Chinese enclave in Vancouver will communicate more like someone from mainland China than will a fifth-generation Chinese-Canadian working in Toronto.

+ English and French are the country’s two official languages. Both languages appear on maps, tourist brochures and product labels. It is important to note that the French spoken in Canada is not the same as the language spoken in France.

+ Although Canadians are generally individualistic and make decisions based upon their own needs rather than those of the group, they place great emphasis on the individual’s responsibility to the community and to achieving a good quality of life.

+ Most Canadians see time as something that can be controlled, although they are not obsessive about letting the clock rule their lives.

+ For the most part, Canadians strive to be on time for social engagements, so deviations are more a matter of personal preference. Punctuality is expected in business.

- from RW3’s CultureWizard® Country Profiles

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+ Malaysia is a multi-ethnic society where Malays, Chinese, and Indians are the predominant ethnic groups. The different ethnicities retain their customs and way of life, which gives Malaysia an intricate cultural fabric.

+ Malaysians can broadly be categorized into two groups: the Malay (Bumiputra) and indigenous people (Orang Asli) and the immigrant groups (Chinese, Indian and others). The approximate breakdown of ethnic groups is as follows:

Malay 50.4%
Chinese 23.7%
Indigenous 11%
Indian 7.1%
Others 7.8%
(2004 est.)

+ The most important festivals of each ethnic group, Hari Raya (marking the ending of the Muslim fasting month), Chinese New Year and Deepavali (Indian Festival of Lights) for example, are public holidays and are open to celebration by all.

+ The country’s diversity is further reflected in the many religions that are practiced. The predominant religion is Islam, which is followed by virtually all Malays as well as by some Indians and members of other ethnic groups. Here is a breakdown of religions in Malaysia:

Muslim 60.4%
Buddhist 19.2%
Christian 9.1%
Hindu 6.3%,
Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions 2.6%
Other or unknown 1.5%
None 0.8%
(2000 census)

+ Hierarchy is respected in Malaysia. Older businesspeople should be greeted before younger ones and treated with deference and respect. Do not correct someone who is in a higher position or who is older than you, as this will cause both of you to lose face and may negatively affect your ability to conduct business.

+ Malaysian communication is guided by a desire to maintain face by not losing emotional control or causing embarrassment in public. In an effort to conceal uneasiness or avoid embarrassing others, Malaysians may smile at what appear to foreigners to be inappropriate moments. Try to “read between the lines” rather than take words and facial expressions at face value.

- from RW3’s CultureWizard® Country Profiles

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+ The US is a nation of immigrants, comprised of people from diverse backgrounds and ethnic groups. Americans pride themselves on their individuality, their entrepreneurial attitude and a positive, optimistic outlook on life.

+ There are many stereotypes about the way people from different regions behave:

- Southerners are known for their “Southern Hospitality.” They are generally polite, warm and friendly. They are also thought to appreciate a slower pace of life and are more relationship-focused than people from other parts of the country.
- Texans exude self-confidence and are proud of the fact that they were once an independent country. They tend to be “larger than life” and often equate bigger with better.
- “West Coaster,” or people from the west coast, are thought to be casual, free-spirited and liberal.
- “East Coasters” are considered to be fast-paced, efficient, formal and comparatively conservative.

+ Americans can be superficially friendly. They may say “hi” or “hello” frequently to a lot of people to demonstrate their egalitarianism. This can often be misinterpreted as friendship, which usually takes longer to establish.

+ When leaving a group, Americans may give a group wave or say farewell to everyone at once rather than to each person individually.

+ From childhood, Americans are raised to see themselves as separate individuals who are the masters of their destiny. As such, they expect to be held accountable for their decisions. This can make them appear self-centered to people from less individualistic cultures. They may presume that people from other cultures feel the same way and may be surprised when they realize that people from other cultures are group- or community-oriented.

- from RW3’s CultureWizard™ Country Profiles

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+ If you were to think about the most important cultural attributes that you will see operating in business in Angola, they would be:

- Hierarchical structures
- Formal style
- Interpersonal relationships
- Indirect communication

+ Angolans believe that there is always time to develop social relationships. Since personal relationships are important, people who attempt to adhere to inflexible time schedules have little success.

+ As indirect communicators, Angolans often use proverbs to provide a shared context and share their innermost thoughts and feelings. Here are a few, indicative of traditional Angolan values:

- The real journey of discovery begins in old age.
- The one who throws the stone forgets; the one who is hit remembers forever.
- One spoon of soup in need has more value than a pot of soup when we have an abundance of food.

+ Like most Africans, Angolans view time as something that adjusts to changing needs and circumstances. They believe that people should always have time for what really matters in life — family and friends.

- from RW3’s CultureWizard™ Country Profiles

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+ Australians, or Aussies, may downplay their own success, which has lead to a common misconception that they are not achievement-oriented. Their humble attitude may mislead you, but the reality is that Aussies are very competitive.

+ Aussies generally work to live, rather than live to work. This shouldn’t be interpreted as a lack of ambition. Leisurely time with family and friends is very important, so you can expect that holidays and time away from work are normal and expected.

+ For the most part, Australians enjoy humor and use it frequently when speaking. It’s often self-deprecating, but it can also be used to bring someone down if they are taking themselves or a situation too seriously. People are expected to be able to take a joke. In fact, Aussies’ sense of humor is one of the first thing foreigners notice about them.

+ Australia has a collaborative culture where meetings may be held to share information, review situations, make plans, or communicate decisions. Since everyone is thought to have an opinion, emphasis isn’t placed on position or status.

+ Most Australians are direct and comfortable addressing others in a frank, concise manner. They say what they mean and mean what they say. They often expect the same from others.

+ If you come from a culture where communication is more indirect, you may have difficulty with the brevity and lack of context provided in Australian communication. This is a culture where what you say will be taken literally, so it is important to speak plainly.

+ The most important cultural attributes that you will see operating in business in Australia are:

- Egalitarianism
- Achievement orientation
- Direct communication
- Controlled sense of time

- from RW3’s CultureWizard™ Country Profiles

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+ Italians have a much greater loyalty to their city than to their state or their country. This bond to one’s hometown is indicative of the value Italian’s place on relationships.

+ Friendships in Italy are never taken lightly. They require total support, acceptance and availability. To be a friend is to be ready and willing to offer support or aid, no matter what you are doing.

+ The important Italian concept of bella figura, literally a “beautiful figure,” is otherwise interpreted in English as projecting a good, impressionable image to others. Italians unconsciously assess another person’s age and social standing in the first few seconds of meeting, often before any words are exchanged.

+ Clothes are also seen as an indicator of social standing and success, which is incorporated in the bella figura concept. Italians take great pride in wearing good fabrics and clothes of the highest standard they can afford. Expect to be judged on your clothes, shoes, accessories and the way you carry yourself.

+ Italians deeply revere and respect mothers and motherhood. Women are the backbone of the family and oftentimes they are in charge of finances.

+ Italians are impressed by international experience. It is a good idea for any businessperson to show that he or she is at ease conducting business in a foreign country and understands cultural nuances.

+ Italian communication is eloquent, wordy and can easily become emotional. Italians often discuss subjects in a roundabout fashion, so be conscious of indirect and non-verbal modes of communication.

- from RW3’s CultureWizard™ Country Profiles

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