Cultural Differences

Chapter 7

http://www.cyborlink.com/

I found this website which contains cultural information on various countries. It contains information on appearance, behavior, and communication in each country. This is something that is very important for any global company. It is very easy to accidentally insult someone in a foreign country by using a gesture that is common in the United States. Since offshoring is now very popular among companies, this information is needed when dealing with people from foreign countries. I clicked on the link for India and found some very interesting information on that culture. For example, when dressing casual, short-sleeved shirts and long pants are preferred for men; shorts are acceptable only when exercising. Women must keep their upper arms, chest, back, and legs covered at all times. Also, the use of leather products including belts or handbags may be considered offensive, especially in temples. Hindus revere cows and do not use leather products. I found this fascinating because some of these things are worn by americans on a daily basis. A women could easily be controversial in this country if she wore a sleeveless top or carried a purse made of leather, both of which are commonplace in the US. I would hope that anyone who planned on doing business internationally or with employees from a foreign country would research this type of information to avoid any misunderstandings.