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UNDERSTANDING ASIA-PACIFIC

Nikhita Jain Aditya Krishna

 Anuj Kumar

Prerna Maheshwari

Soumitra Mehrotra

Shraddha Shetty 1

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Culture is a learned system of knowledge, behaviors, attitudes, beliefs, values,

and norms that is shared by a group of people

In the broadest sense, culture includes how people think, what they do, andhow they use things to sustain their lives.

Cultural diversity results from the unique nature of each culture.

CULTURE

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 The extended family has significant influence, and the oldest male in the

family is often the decision maker and spokesperson.

 The interests and honor of the family are more important than those of 

individual family members.

Older family members are respected, and their authority is often

unquestioned.

 Among Asian cultures, maintaining harmony is an important value

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

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 Asia is home to several language families and many language isolates.

Most Asian countries have more than one language that is natively spoken.

 According to Ethnologue, more than 600 languages are spoken in Indonesia,

more than 800 languages spoken in India, and more than 100 are spoken in

the Philippines.

LANGUAGES

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In many situations, an emphasis is placed on promptness and appropriate

attire.

Breaking social commitments, such as appointments or even casual plans

to meet with friends, can be a serious faux pas.

Special respect to elders.

Behaviors associated with humility, status and pride are very important in

some Asian societies.

Certain customs regarding good and bad luck are important

 Traditionally, shoes are not worn in households.

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SALIENT FEATURES

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 Avoiding eye-contact during handshakes.

Business cards should be printed in English on one side and in your

host's language on the other.

 Your default business wardrobe is conservative business dress, with

suits, ties, and tie-up shoes for men, and conservative suits and dresses

for women.

Never pass things using your left hand, as it is considered unclean in

many cultures.

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SALIENT FEATURES

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In many parts of Asia, rice is a staple food.

In Japan, Korea and Vietnam, people usually use chopsticks to eat

traditional food.

 An island nation surrounded by ocean, Japan has various fish dishes.

In India, people often eat food with their hands, and many spices are

used in every dish.

In every special Filipino banquet, people will see a unique set of 

dishes compared to other Asian cuisine.

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FOOD AND DINING

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In Hong Kong, expect a banquet - long meal with innumerable courses

served one after the other.

In Japan, you will be hosted to an evening of eating and drinking. Don't

refuse to eat sushi or sashimi - (both of which involve raw fish) - you'll insultyour host. Drink your beer or sake slowly - you host will fill your cup every 

time its empty.

Koreans entertain both at home and at restaurants. Arrive on time if you're

going to a private home, and bring a small gift. If you're invited out to a night

on the Town, be appropriately grateful, for your host is probably planning tospend a lot of money.

 The Filipinos style of entertaining is to invite you to a private home, where

you and a gaggle of your host's friends will enjoy a lavish meal.

FOOD AND DINING

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In the rituals of a Japanese cremation, the relatives pick the bones out of 

the ashes with chopsticks

Gesturing with chopsticks or using them to skewer food are actions that are

seen as rude.

Never talk with your hands in your pockets.Buddhists consider feet offensive, so  watch the position of them when

crossing your legs.

Eliminate jargon and excessive informality in e-mails

If you are taken to a Karaoke bar in Japan, Taiwan or China, and are asked

to sing a song, the proper protocol is to give it your best effort.

Never do anything that will make an Asian feel disrespected and ashamed.

Buy the right gifts

If there is any possibility that you have offended someone, apologize

STRANGE FACTS!

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A look at the cultures in

a few specific countries

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Public displays of affection with spouses or partners are regarded as

sexual and thus are frowned upon. However public displays of affection

towards one's children, parents or family members are approved of.

Indonesian people don't bow. Bowing is considered weird and

uncommon. Always use your right hand, when shaking hands, offering a gift,

handing or receiving something, eating, pointing or generally touching 

another person

Making sounds while eating is considered impolite. This includes

slurping or the sound of cutlery touching the dish.Gifts should not be opened when received.

 Avoid talking about Religion and Race in Indonesia, because Religion

and Race are sensitive issues in Indonesia.

 Tipping is customary in Indonesia, yet it is optional

INDONESIA 

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Business cards should be given and accepted with both hands. It is expectedthat the cards will immediately be inspected and admired, then placed on the

table in front of the receiver for the duration of the meeting. After the

meeting, cards should be stored respectfully and should never be placed in a

back pocket. You should not write on a business card. If you want to be taken

seriously at a business meeting, you must have business cards. When you getthem out, they should be in a card holder - not just taken out of your pocket.

It is a faux pas to accept a gift when it is first offered and the giver is

expected to offer it multiple In greeting or thanking another person.

It may be insulting if the person of lower status does not bow appropriately 

lower than the other person.Pouring soy sauce onto rice is considered unusual.

 It is less common to pour one's own drink in a social setting 

Blowing one's nose in public is a faux pas.

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 JAPAN

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For women, not wearing cosmetics may be seen as unprofessional or

expressive of disregard for the situation.

 A smile or laughter from a Japanese person may mean that they are feeling 

nervous or uncomfortable, and not necessarily happy.

"Hai" means "yes" in Japanese, but in a meeting or discussion it is oftenused to mean "Yes, I have heard you". Don't mistake this for agreement with

your point of view.

It is very bad manners to be late in Japan. If you have an appointment then

aim to be early.

It is rude to not send a postcard for Japanese New Year to someone whosent you one. Sending such a postcard to someone who suffered a death in the

family during the past year is a faux pas.

 Tipping is considered rude and is rarely done in Japan except in certain

cases, such as tipping your surgeon for an operation.15

 JAPAN

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 The number 4 is considered unlucky, so gifts should not be given in

multiples of 4. Giving 7 of an item is considered lucky.

Blowing one's nose at the table, even if the food is spicy, is mildly 

offensive. If necessary, take a trip to the toilet or at least be very discreet.

In restaurants and bars, pouring one's own drink is a faux pas. When someone of a significantly higher social position pours you a drink,

it is considered proper to turn away from that person when you drink it.

Leaving a gratuity is usually not accepted nor expected.

 When handing an item to someone, it is considered rude to only use a

single hand. Under most circumstances, especially when interacting with astranger or a superior, one uses the right hand supported by the left hand.

Even though mentality evolved, women smoking in public is sometimes

not accepted, despite being legally allowed.

KOREA 

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Open and Friendly Culture, but directness and brevity are valued.

High Level of Individual.

Privacy is a norm.

Punctuality is important.

Single male passenger in a taxi should sit next to the driver.

Gift giving is not common.

Handshakes are common, with good eye contact.

Down to earth, value relationships.

If you hype about your product, they tend to distrust you.

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 AUSTRALIA 

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People believe in individualism.

 Approachable and open communication style.

Punctuality is a part of the culture.

Firm handshake and eye contact.

People are reserved when they begin business talks, being loud is

unacceptable.

People don’t hype about their product.

 When you are meeting someone in NZ, you start with “How  do youdo?” rather than Hello.

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NEW ZEALAND

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 THANK YOU!!

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