cultural components of businness final
DESCRIPTION
Final group project for class.TRANSCRIPT
Cultural Components of
Business Final Project
Understanding the
cultures of your international assignment.
Your Guides:
Sierra O’Brien,Timothy Twogood, Andy Csutak, Shahna Glover
Your team includes: India
Ireland Austria Sweden
Congratulations!
India
History & Brief Geography
ò Mahatma Ghandi revived virtues during India’s freedom struggle
ò Dreamt of a land where all religions would be threads to form a rich social fabric
ò Size: 1.269 million sq. miles
ò Geography: 3 main regions
ò Himalayans
ò Indo-Gangetic Plain
ò Plateau Region
Cultural History
ò culture based on commerce, sustained by agricultural trade contributed to ecological changes
ò Aryan tribes migrated and merged with the culture
ò Flourished and became a civilized land with knowledge of iron implements and worked as labor
Etiquette & Customs
ò Greet with “Namaste” and hands together with slight bow
ò Men shake hands with men, women shake hands with women
ò Take off shoes upon entering house
ò Politely turn down the first offer- drinks & snacks
ò PDA is not proper
ò Arm’s length of space
ò Use right hand only- left is unclean
ò Do not touch heads or feet- except elderly
ò Point with chin, whole hand, or thumb
Hofstede Comparison to U.S.
• India’s power distance is much more prominent
• More about collectivism and group harmony
• Masculinity is lower than that of the US
• Do not necessarily like uncertainty
• Long-term pragmatic culture
• India does not indulge as much
Economy & Money System
ò Growth Rate:
ò Inflation:
ò Unemployment:
2009
2010
2011 2012
8.5 10.3 6.6 4.7
2009
2010
2011 2012
3.9 3.5 3.4 3.4
Political Environment
ò World’s largest democracy
ò 2nd most populous country emerged as major power in the 90’s
ò Multi-lingual federal state
ò Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 2014 elections by a landslide, replacing the long-governing secularist Congress Party.
Business Practices & Protocol
ò Hierarchical culture
ò Bid farewell individually
ò Shaking hands=OK, with opposite sex= wait
ò Men-suit and tie
ò Women-conservative dresses, pantsuits
ò Use of leather products including belts or handbags is offensive!
Family Behaviors
ò Take off shoes upon entering house
ò Dress modestly and conservative
ò Politely turn down the first offer- drinks & snacks
Basic Words & Phrases
ò Hello/goodbye= Namaste
ò Please= Kripaya
ò Thank you= Shukriya
ò Where is the bathroom?= Bathroom kid-har hai
ò What time is it?= ka sa-may hai
ò How much is this?= Ye kitne ka hai
ò Help= Bachao
ò I do not know= Mujhe maloom nahi
ò How are you?= Kya haal hai
ò It’s nice to meet you= Aap se mil ke khu-shi hui
Weather
ò 3 seasons- hot, wet (monsoon), and cool
ò Tropical in the South
ò Temperate in the North
ò Best time to visit: November- Mid February- during the cool period
Holidays
ò Diwali- Indian New Year
ò Gandhi’s Birthday- Tributes and Prayer services for ‘’Father of the Nation’’
ò Republic Day- Celebrates adoption of new constitution in 1950
ò Independence Day- Independence from British rule in 1947
ò Holi Festival- End of winter and drives away bad spirits that cause ill health
ò Thaipusam- Honors the God of War- giving offerings
ò Pushkar Camel Fair- appreciation of the camel
Food
ò Flatbread/Naan
ò Basmati rice
ò Chutney
ò Curry
ò Chaat
ò Chole
ò Butter Chicken
ò Tandoori Chicken
Ireland
Ireland
Size: 32,595 sq miles
Geography: 2 regions of Ireland
● Northern Ireland
● Ireland
weather: similar to Seattle's, cold and wet almost all year long with slight sun break in the summer.
population: 6.4 million between Ireland and Northern Ireland
Government Leader:Michael D. Higgins
Ireland History:
● first settlement 600BC
● 9th and 10th century attacked by vikings
● 1841-1851 potato famine
● 1937 southern Ireland becomes republic
Language of Ireland: Irish Gaelic
Major religion: Christianity
Holidays:
● New Years day
● st. Patricks day
● Easter Sunday and Monday
● St. Stephens day
Local headlines:
Money/rate: 1 Euro= 1.27 US DOllars
Ireland
Ireland’s Economics (GDP= 173 billion euro)
Inflation:
Growth rate:
Major trading partners: (by percentage)
Transportation: ● railway ● road ● water ways ● aviation
Unemployment Rate: 11.4%
Agriculture Exports:
Ireland compared to US
Nonverbal communication
● upside down V is an obscene hand gesture
● a head nod is a mark of respect
● point of the finger and a fling back means “get out”
● tapping of a glass, head nod, and a push forward ensures you get another drink in the pub
● slow clap means mild contempt
● one finger salute while driving will calm potential road rage
Business Etiquette Ireland
● punctuality
● gift giving (only if the deal is good)
● raincoat
● traditional business suits (look professional)
● no big jewelry
Family Etiquette
● everyone is family
● bring box of chocolates
● no elbows on table but hands should be present
basic words and phrases
Basic Irish Phrases
Is ea. Yes.
Ní hea. No.
Más é do thoil é. Please.
Go raibh maith agat. Thank you.
Tá fáilte romhat. You're welcome.
Gabh mo leithscéal. Excuse me.
Tá brón orm. I'm sorry.
Dia dhuit ar maidin. Good morning.
Tráthnóna maith agat. Good evening.
Oíche mhaith. Good night.
Maith dom mo chuid Gaeilge bhriste. Excuse my poor Irish.
Níl agam ach beagáinín Gaeilge. I only speak a little Irish.
An labhraíonn tú Gaeilge? Do you speak Irish?
An labhraíonn éinne anseo Gaeilge? Does anyone here speak Irish?
Cad is ainm duit? What is your name?
Is mise Bríd. My name is Bríd.
Cén chaoi a bhfuil t? How are you?
Hofstede's study
Austria
Austria Austria had a population of 8.43 million in
2012
Chief of State: President Heinz Fischer
Head of Government: Chancellor Werner Faymann
“German is the official language of Austria and an important prerequisite for participating in the working, economic and social life of the country.
Croatian, Slovenian and Hungarian are recognised as official languages of autonomous population groups in some regions.
English is taught as the first foreign language at most schools.”
“In Austria there is religious freedom. According to the last population census in 2001, the larger part of the Austrian population professes to be of Roman Catholic faith (around three quarters). This group is followed by persons without religious faith, Protestants, Muslims and members of the Christian Orthodox faith.”
The 20th Century
Moving Times
Brimming with ethnic tensions and locked into a rigid system of alliances from the 19th century wars, the Austro-Hungarian monarchy was a catastrophe waiting to happen. The necessary spark was the assassination of the Austrian archduke and heir to the throne, Franz Ferdinand in June 1914 in Sarajevo. Austria’s declaration of war against Serbia marked the beginning of World War I. Emperor Franz Joseph dies in 1916 and after the end of the war in 1918 the first Republic of Austria was established, ending the 640-year old Habsburg dynasty. The young republic suffered massive inflation, unemployment, and near economic collapse. In 1933, the weak coalition government between the Christian-Social and the Social-Democratic parties gave way when Engelbert Dollfuss became Chancellor in 1932 as head of a right-wing coalition government, designed to tackle the problems caused by the Depression. In May 1934 Doffluss declared martial law in order to protect Austria from Hitler. In July Dollfuss was shot and killed by Nazis in an attempted coup.
On March 12, 1938, German troops marched into Austria and the country was incorporated into the German Reich ruled by Adolf Hitler. After the end of World War II in 1945, Austria was restored to its 1937 frontiers and occupied by the victorious allies – the USA, the Soviet Union, the UK, and France – for a decade.
The 21st Century
On May 15, 1955, the Austrian State Treaty was ratified, with Austria declaring its permanent neutrality. Thanks to its location near the “Iron Curtain”, Austria soon developed into a nerve center between the West and the East. After the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and the 1968 Prague Spring Invasion, Austria grants asylum to the refugees. Austria is also host country of many international organizations (UNO, OPEC) as well as host of many important conference and summit meetings. The Iron Curtain fell in 1989/90; in 1995 Austria becomes a member of the European Union.
Relevant History
Etiquette & Customs ò Shake hands with everyone present--men, women and
children--at a business or social meeting; shake hands with women before men. Women should offer their hand first. Shake hands again when leaving.
ò Viennese men may kiss the hand of a woman. Accept this tradition graciously. A foreign man should not kiss the hand of an Austrian woman, since it is not expected and may come as a shock.
ò Titles are very important. Use last names and appropriate titles until specifically invited by your Austrian host or colleagues to use their first names.
ò Herr/Frau + professional title + surname are used when initially addressing someone. Example: Herr Doctor Bauer. Frau + professional title + surname are also used when addressing the wife of a professional. Example: Frau Doctor Bauer. All women over 18 are Frau, even if they are not married.
ò After you initially meet someone, you can drop his/her surname and address the person using Herr/Frau + professional title alone. Example: Herr Doctor or Frau Doctor.
ò Austrians are reserved and formal. Kissing, hugging, touching and physical closeness in public are not common.
ò Eye contact is very important to Austrians.
ò Austrians take punctuality for business meetings very seriously and expect that you will do likewise; call with an explanation if you are delayed. Never cancel an appointment at the last minute.
ò Light conversation usually precedes business.
ò Rank and title are very important in business. Power is held by a small number of people at the top.
ò The business community is very political. Everyone is careful about what they say to or about anyone else.
ò Business is conducted at a slow pace. Be patient.
ò Austrians insist on punctuality for social occasions.
ò The host gives the first toast, then the honored guest returns
the toast later in the meal. Maintaining eye contact during a toast is very important.
ò Never cut a dumpling. Instead, hold the dumpling with your knife and break it apart with your fork.
ò When finished eating, place your knife and fork side by side on your plate at the 5:25 position. An open knife and fork on your plate means you would like more food or that you are not yet finished eating. Do not leave any food on your plate at a dinner party.
ò The person who extends the invitation pays the bill in a restaurant. Austrians will not appreciate a struggle over the bill. Reciprocate with a lunch or dinner invitation before you leave the country.
ò Do not discuss business during a meal unless your host initiates the conversation.
ò Austrians take pride in dressing well, regardless of where they are going or what position they hold. Avoid wearing shorts in the city, especially when shopping. Gifts are opened immediately upon receipt.
ò When invited to someone's home, always bring a gift for the hostess. Give: flowers (in odd numbers only, except for the dozen--an even number means bad luck—and unwrap before giving to hostess), wine, pastries, chocolates, brandy, whisky. Do not give: red roses, unless romance is intended, red carnations (official flower of the Social Democratic Party), perfume.
ò Gifts are generally not expected in business, but come prepared in case a gift is presented. Give: desk attire, books, music, a regional or country gift. Do not give: personal gifts, gifts with sharp edges, gifts with company logo (unless very subtle) or a very expensive gift.
ò Austrians are not Germans. Austria and Germany have very different customs. Never refer to an Austrian as a German.
ò Greet salespeople when entering and leaving a shop.
ò Austrians may find personal compliments embarrassing.
ò Do not put hands in your pockets while speaking to anyone.
Hofstede Comparison to U.S.
Power Distance; Austria has the lowest score at 11
Individualism; Austria is moderate at 55
Masculinity; Austria scores highest at 79
Uncertainty Avoidance; Austria scores highest at 70
Pragmatism; Austria scores highest at 60
Indulgence; Austria is moderate between all five nations at 63
Austrian Economics
The Gross Domestic Product per capita in Austria was last recorded at 43084.90 US dollars in 2013, when adjusted by purchasing power parity (PPP). The GDP per Capita, in Austria, when adjusted by Purchasing Power Parity is equivalent to 243 percent of the world's average. GDP per capita PPP in Austria averaged 37388.56 USD from 1990 until 2013, reaching an all time high of 43138.86 USD in 2012 and a record low of 30196.73 USD in 1990. GDP per capita PPP in Austria is reported by the World Bank.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$361 billion (2013 est.)
$359.6 billion (2012 est.)
$356.5 billion (2011 est.)
note: data are in 2013 US dollars
Austrian Trade
Top 5 Products exported by Austria
Packaged Medicaments (3.9%), Vehicle Parts (2.9%), Cars (2.4%), Petroleum Gas (2.2%), and Spark-Ignition Engines (1.9%)
Top 5 Products imported by Austria
Cars (5.1%), Crude Petroleum (4.5%), Refined Petroleum (4.2%), Petroleum Gas (3.4%), and Vehicle Parts (2.6%)
Top 5 Export destinations of Austria
Germany (28%), Italy (7.2%), United States (6.2%), Switzerland (5.3%), and France (3.9%)
Top 5 Import origins of Austria
Germany (37%), Italy (6.2%), China (4.7%), Special Categories (4.6%), and Switzerland (4.0%)
Austria is ranked 9 with an Economic Complexity Index (ECI) of 1.63339 Austria is the top exporter of Flavored Water, Unprocessed Artificial Staple Fibers, Cigarette Paper, Railway Maintenance Vehicles, Handguns, and Rubber Stamps.
Austria had a population of 8.43 million in 2012
Chief of State: President Heinz Fischer
Head of Government: Chancellor Werner Faymann
“German is the official language of Austria and an important prerequisite for participating in the working, economic and social life of the country.
Croatian, Slovenian and Hungarian are recognised as official languages of autonomous population groups in some regions.
English is taught as the first foreign language at most schools.”
“In Austria there is religious freedom. According to the last population census in 2001, the larger part of the Austrian population professes to be of Roman Catholic faith (around three quarters). This group is followed by persons without religious faith, Protestants, Muslims and members of the Christian Orthodox faith.”
Government
Austrian Industry
Energy – Grist to Industry's Mills: About one third of the Austria's energy consumption is covered by the national energy industry. Up to 70% of the energy comes from renewable sources such as water. Industry, which still is considered to be the national growth engine, is made up of mainly small and medium-sized enterprises. Austria's industrial sector is, however, one of the world's largest: between 1995 and 2003 industrial production increased nominally by 28% to a total volume of 90.9 billion Euros. With 11.4 billion Euros in 2003, mechanical and steel industry were the greatest contributors to Austria's total output, followed by chemical industry (10.6 billion Euros), and the electrical and electronics industry (10.2 billion).
A First-Class Services Sector: Tourism is the country's biggest foreign exchange earner and the fastest growing sector: 220,000 people in 40,000 tourist establishments generate 10% of Austria's economic output.
Europe's Deli Shop: 7.5 million hectares of land are used for agriculture with cattle farming contributing 30% to the agricultural value-added business. Austria boasts an incredible 18,500 eco-farms adding to the country's reputation as Europe's deli shop. 47 % of Austria is forested. Besides water, wood plays a more and more important role as renewable source of energy.
Exports: Wine & More :About 32,000 wineries produce an average of 2.5 million hectoliters of wine per year.
Words & Phrases ò Good Morning -- Guten Morgen (or simply "Morgen")
ò Good Day ----- Guten Tag
ò Good Day ----- Gruss Gott ( translated as God's Greetings or Blessings). This is the more usual local greeting, often shortened to 'sgott
ò Good Bye ---- Auf Wiedersehen ( see you again) or Auf Wiederschauen (or simply "Wiedersehen" or "Wiederschauen")
ò 'Bye! ---- Tschuss!
ò Excuse me (attracting attention) ---- Entschuldigung.
ò Excuse me (for standing on your foot) ---- Verzeihung.
ò Don't mention it (response to above) ---- Nix (nichts) passiert!
ò Do you speak English? ---- Sprechen Sie Englisch?
ò Thank you ----- Danke
ò Please -------- Bitte (also said when handing an item over, eg payment)
ò Don't mention it (response to thanks) ---- Bitte
ò The bill (check) please! ---- Zahlen, bitte!
ò Whilst waiting in a line (and next to be served): I am next ---- Ich bin der/die (masc/fem) nächste.
Weather
Austria is located in a temperate climatic zone with a Central European climate influenced by the Atlantic climate. The four seasons all have typical temperatures and climatic characters.
Due to the topographical diversity of Austria and the relatively large West-East expanse, there are three differentiating climatic regions:
East: Pannonian climate with a continental influence – low precipitation, hot summers, but only moderately cold winters.
Alpine Regions: Alpine climate - high precipitation (except inner alpine valley regions such as the Upper Inntal), short summers, long winters.
Remainder of the Country: Transient climate influenced by the Atlantic (in the West) and a continental influence in the South-East.
New Year's Day
Epiphany
Easter
National Holiday
Ascension Day
Whit Monday
Corpus Christi
Assumption of the Virgin Mary
National Holiday
All Saints' Day
Immaculate Conception
Christmas
1st January
6th January
19th April - 21st April
1st May
29th May
9th June
19th June
15th August
26th October
1st November
8th December
24th - 26th December
“Austria’s main rail provider is the Österreiche Bundesbahn (ÖBB; Austrian Federal Railways; www.oebb.at), which has an extensive countrywide rail network. This is supplemented by a handful of private railways. Wherever trains don’t run, a Postbus (www.postbus.at) usually does.”
Holidays in 2014
Food
ò Tafelspitz
ò Wiener Schnitzel
ò Pastries
ò Apfelstrudel
ò Knodel
ò Sachertorte
Sweden
Austrian Body Language
The Six Dimensions of Culture
Power Distance; Austria has the lowest score at 11
Individualism; Austria is moderate between all five nations at 55
Masculinity; Austria scores highest at 79
Uncertainty Avoidance; Austria scores highest at 70
Pragmatism; Austria scores highest at 60
Indulgence; Austria is moderate between all five nations at 63
Reflection:
Austria seems as if it would be most aligned with either the USA or India when it comes to cultural views based simply on these scores as the USA and India are both closest in score to Austria.
Size: 173,860 sq miles
Geography: 8 regions of Sweden
● Norrland
● Jamtland
● Bohus
● Scania
● Svealand
● Gotaland
● Gotland
● Smaland
weather: Very Cold snowy winters and short very sunny beautiful summers
population: 9,074,055
Government Leader:Carl XVI Gustaf, Head of state
Sweden (Sverige)
Sweden Pop 9.7 mil Capt. Stockholm Total area 449,964 km
1 krona = 0.14 us dollar
• 1397-‐Officially known as Sweden
• Language spoken most is English, actual Swedish language is northern Germanic.
• Sami-‐Indigenous Peoples
• Currency-‐krona (kr)
• Government is through Parliament known as Riksdag
• Joined the European Union in 1995
• Is home to the Nobel Peace Prize
• 1979 Banned corporal punishment
• Atheism, ChrisTanity, Catholicism are most acTve belief systems
History of Sweden Fourteen thousand years ago, present-day Sweden was covered by a thick ice cap. As
the ice retreated, humans came to Sweden. The first known dwelling place, found in southern Sweden, dates from around 12,000 BC.
● The Viking Age (800–1050 AD) was characterized by a significant expansion of activity, in Sweden’s case largely toward the east.
● In 1280 King Magnus Ladulås (1275–90) issued a statute authorising the establishment of a nobility and the organization of society on the feudal model.
The Kalmar Union ● 1397, the Kalmar Union was formed, with the three Scandinavian countries under a single
monarch.
The Vasa period ● The foundations of the Swedish state were laid during the reign of Gustav Vasa (1523–60).
The church was nationalised, its estates confiscated by the crown, and the Protestant Reformation was introduced. Power was concentrated in the hands of the king and hereditary monarchy came into force in 1544.
The Swedish empire ● After its defeat in the Great Northern War (1700–21) against the combined forces of
Denmark, Poland and Russia, Sweden lost most of its provinces on the other side of the Baltic Sea and was reduced essentially to the same frontiers as present-day Sweden and Finland. During the Napoleonic Wars, Sweden surrendered Finland to Russia.
18th/19th century Sweden ● After the death of the warrior king Karl XII in 1718 and Sweden’s defeat in the Great
Northern War, the Swedish parliament (Riksdag) and council were strong enough to introduce a new constitution that abolished royal absolutism and put power in the hands of parliament.
Economy Sweden reinvented its economic
governance with a series of innovative regulations. First, in 1996 a ceiling for government expenditures (utgiftstak) was introduced. This was accompanied by the addition of the ‘surplus goal’ (överskottsmålet) for the government budget. These reforms have met with broad support from across the political spectrum in Sweden. They help ensure that high debt doesn’t accumulate and that debt isn’t passed on to future generations.
While governments with large budget deficits carry out austerity measures by increasing taxes and cutting public spending, Sweden has avoided these difficulties. In fact, taxes in Sweden have actually been lowered since the crisis began. Sweden has also continued to invest in areas like healthcare, education and research, instead of having to cut heavily in these areas like in some countries.
Every September the Swedish finance ministry presents its budget proposal for the following year to the Swedish parliament. In keeping with the tradition of the so-called ‘budget walk’, the finance minister carries the proposal through the streets of Stockholm and delivers it to the parliament personally.
GDP Gross Domestic Product PPP Purchasing Power Parity
58,269.03 USD (2013) Sweden, GDP per capita • Norway 100,818.50 USD • Sweden 58,269.03 USD • United States of America 53,142.89 USD Explore more
Hofstede’s Relation
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Sweden
United States
Sweden being an older culture than that of the United States, they have a much less individual based belief and social system and a high value on tradition and history.
Many customs and beliefs come from centuries old traditions that have a strong affect on the peoples and their way of life. Pragmatism is very high for this reason.
Traveling to Sweden? ● Private Coach ● Ferry or Boat
● Air ● Rail
Summer
● Festivals
● Hiking
● Farms
● Golf
● Fishing
● Camping
● Shopping
Winter
● Skiing!!!
● Fishing
● Snowshoeing
● Holidays
● Spa resorts
● Winter Festivals
Visiting Sweden “What’s your preference?”
A polite Society
Unspoken rules
• Removal of shoes for respect of the home
• No speaking to strangers in public
• No touching women unless she touches you first
• Look your best at all times
• No strong shows of emotions
• A sharp intake of breath can mean Yes or in agreement of something
• No eye contact with strangers in passing
• Do not drink at dinner or at a meeting until the host makes a toast
• Punctuality is very important
How to be a swede in ten easy steps
Common Phrases in Sweden
Greetings English Swedish
1. Hi!
2. Good morning!
3. Good evening!
4. Welcome! (to greet someone)
5. How are you?
6. I'm fine, thanks!
7. And you?
8. Good/ So-So.
9. Thank you (very much)!
10. You're welcome! (for "thank
you") Var så god!
11. Hey! Friend!
12. I missed you so much! Jag har
saknat dig!
13. What's new? Något nytt på
gång?
14. Nothing much Inte mycket
15. Good night! God Natt!
16. See you later! Ses senare!
17. Good bye!
1. Hej!
2. God morgon!
3. God middag!
4. Välkommen!
5. Hur mår du?
6. Jag mår bra, tack!
7. Och du?
8. Bra / Sådär.
9. Tack (så mycket)!
10. Var så god!
11. Hejsan kompis!
12. Jag har saknat dig!
13. Något nytt på gång?
14. Inte mycket
15. God Natt!
16. Ses senare!
17. Följ med mig!
Popular & Slang phrases • Fika: A coffee or snack break with friends or associates. A friendly informal get-together.
• Grönsaker, jordgubbar: Vegetables, or “grönsaker,” are nothing but “green things,” if you translate it literally. Similarly, the word “jordgubbar,” or strawberries, comes from the word “jord,” which means dirt/earth/ground, and “gubben,” which is an affectionate name that means old man. Taken together, it’s like “little old earth men.”
• För allt smör i Småland: There are things I would never do, ever, not in a million years, not even for all the butter in Småland. Uhh… did I just say that? Why would I want all the butter in Småland anyway? In any case, when you really wouldn’t do something even for a substantial and desirable reward, you can use the expression, “I wouldn’t do it for all the butter in Småland.”
• Skvallercentral: There’s always that one person whose full time job seems to be acting as a gossipmonger. That person is, no bones about it, the skvallercentral, or gossip central!
• Smaken är som baken—delad: The first time I heard this, I nearly died laughing. You know when people say things like, “Oh, it’s a matter of taste…” or “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder…”? Well, in Sweden, you can say that, or you can say, “Taste is like a butt—divided.”
• Färgglad: The Swedish aesthetic tends to favor neutral colors like black, grey, and white, so after awhile, you get the feeling that wearing too much color or decorating your house with bold accents is rather loud and showy. That’s when the word färgglad comes to the rescue! It literally means color-happy, and you can use it to describe the use of exciting colors to make your outfit more fun or to liven up an otherwise-staid living room.
• Brun som en pepparkaka: Brown as a gingerbread cookie! You can use this expression to describe someone who’s tan. You might tell the neighbors’ kids that they’re as brown as gingerbread cookies after a holiday vacation to Thailand!
• Besserwisser: A Swedish know-it-all! I’ve never heard this word in conversation, but it exists, and that’s good enough for me, you besserwisser, you.
• Blixt och dunder: “Thunder and lightning” becomes “lighting and thunder” in Swedish, with blixt sounding all fast and lightning-like and dunder sounding big, loud, and stupid, like Michael Scott at Dunder Mifflin in The Office.
• Den är paj: In my book, this is the most incomprehensible phrase so far, but here goes. Literally, den är paj means “this is pie.” Colloquially, it also means “this is broken.”
Swedish Meatballs! and other treats!....
kransekage The Wedding Cake
Business Practices in Sweden
Attire/Presence
● Casual or informal
● Reflective
● Listens to others opinions
● Quiet voice and demeanor
● Takes on tasks equally with lower staff
Behaviors
● Non-aggressive
● Non-committal compared to Americans
● Wants facts and information shared openly
● Wants the opinions of all involved
Holidays
New Year’s Eve
Easter
Walpurgis Eve − and 1 May
The NaTonal Day of Sweden
Midsummer
The crayfish party
The sour herring premiere
Halloween
All Saints’ Day
St MarTn's Day − or Mårten Gås
Advent
Lucia
Christmas
In the news now
Sweden ready to use force to surface sub The Local.se-‐4 hours ago Sweden's military says it has no plans to downsize the search for a possible foreign submarine and is prepared to force any suspect vessel to ... Sweden gets two new sighTngs, as hunt for undersea intruder goes on Reuters-‐15 hours ago Sweden's act is in keeping with its neutrality Opinion-‐gulfnews.com-‐16 hours ago Sweden bathes in echoes of cold war drama as submarine hunt ... In-‐Depth-‐The Guardian-‐11 hours ago Sweden Expands Hunt for Suspected Russian Sub Blog-‐ABC News (blog)-‐Oct 20, 2014 The 'Russian Submarine' in Swedish Waters Isn't the Only ... In-‐Depth-‐Newsweek-‐18 hours ago
Thank you very much!
1. Tack så mycket!
Sources • "Business Communication." Business Culture. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov.
2014.
• "Cultural Differences - Sweden." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 10 Nov.
2014.
• Reuterswärd, Kate. "25 More Swedish Words (and Phrases) That Make
Me Giggle." The Expat Blog Blogsswedense. N.p., n.d. Web.
04 Nov. 2014.
• "Linguanaut." Swedish Phrases and Common Sentences. N.p., n.d.
Web. 04 Nov. 2014.
• "Sweden.se." Sweden.se. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.
• "Rates Table Converter 1.00 Swedish Krona Rates Table." Currency
Exchange Table (Swedish Krona). N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.
• "Sweden." EUROPA. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.
Citations ● http://geography.about.com/od/indiamaps/a/indiageography.htm
● http://www.historyindia.org/
● http://genealogypro.com/articles/Irish-history.html
● https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/au.html
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● http://globaledge.msu.edu/countries/austria/government
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