Reference no: EM132460308

Social Customs

• How do people react to strangers? Are they friendly? Hostile? Reserved?

• How do people greet each other?

• What are the appropriate manners when entering a room? Bow? Nod? Handshake?

• What are the attitudes towards contact or personal space?

• How does one express appreciation for an invitation to an event?

• How are business meetings conducted? Formally? Informally? Is Consensus sought?

• is Punctuality expected? Eye contact? Open participation by all?

• Are there customs to where a person sits in a meeting or at a dinner function?

• Are there any extra rules in conducting business with members of the opposite sex?

Are there any gestures that would indicate agreement? Disagreement? Perceived to be rude?

• To what extent does Family Life or religion affect business?

Class Structure

• is there a rigid class structure/Caste system?

• Do religious or economic factors determine social status?

• Are there prominent minority groups and what is their social standing?

• Is there a predominant religious group?

Political Patterns

• Are there political threats to the Country's survival?

• Is there more than one dominant political party?

• How is political power manifest?

• What channels are used to express political opinions?

• Is it appropriate to talk politics in business or social situations?

Economics

• What is/are the country's principal product(s)?

• Are workers organized into unions?

• Who owns businesses? Families? Corporations? The Government?

• What is the standard work schedule?

• What is the currency?

• Is participatory management used?

• How is status shown?

• Is socialization an important part of business?

Misc.

• What are people's common perceptions of Americans?

• How do they rank on some or all of Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions?

• Is politeness more important than honesty?

What are the attitudes towards education? Is it available for all?