Task 2. Say whether these sentences are true or false

1) Handshakes are not the acceptable form of greeting in Italy.

2) Italians use handshakes for goodbye.

3) In France the “OK” sign means zero.

4) In Brazil the “OK” sign has a vulgar meaning.

5) It is very sincere to touch somebody’s head in Thailand.

6) Red colour represents witchcraft and death in many African countries.

7) The Japanese consider it rude to be late for business meetings.

8) Romanians are not punctual.

9) Belgians are likely to get down to business right away.

10)The abrupt “always watching the clock” style is acceptable in Guatemala.

11)In Thailand, it is consider offensive to place one’s arm over the back of the chair in which another person is sitting.

12)In many countries, it is appropriate to use titles.

13) Gift-giving is not accepted when doing business in Japan.

14) Expensive gifts are a general practice in Germany.

15) In some European countries, you should avoid sending white chrysanthemums.

16)In Japan, it is a normal custom to give white flowers as a present.

17) It is a western tradition to put a business card in the pocket right after accepting it.

18) In Japan, the proper approach is to carefully look at the card after accepting it and acknowledge with a nod that you have digested the information

Task 3. Fill each of the blanks in the following text. Use one word only in each space.

Doing business with people of other nationalities involves more than learning foreign languages. There are often cultural differences___1____ people of different national backgrounds. These differences sometimes complicate business relationships ____2_____ negotiations. It ___3_____ important to be aware _____4____ your own cultural tendencies as ___5_____ as those of your business partners.

The areas which we need to be aware ______6_____ include body language, gesture, socializing customs, attitudes ______7______ punctuality and dress, ____8____ business practice. It is useful to know, _____9_______ example, that the British ___10________ hands less often than other European people, that Americans _____11______ first names _____12______ often than many other nationalities and that the Japanese _____13_______ that harmony and consensus ____14_______ very important.

We _____15______ find out about other cultures _______16____ reading and talking to _____17________ with experience. When we _____18_______ other countries, it is important to _____19______ good observers and listeners. We ______20_______ avoid criticizing other cultures and realize that we all have similar problems but different ways of dealing with them.

Task 4. Read and retell the texts.

Try and find the translation of the underlined words in the dictionary