shelby bates sarah hart annalisa day tye jones chelsi delgado travis marlar jessica denis zach...
TRANSCRIPT
Understanding Global Cultures
Shelby Bates Sarah HartAnnalisa Day Tye JonesChelsi Delgado Travis MarlarJessica Denis Zach Williams
Chapter 11◦ The Danish Christmas Luncheon
Chapter 12◦ The German Symphony
Chapter 13◦ Irish Conversations
Preview
Denmark
◦ 5.4 population
◦ Highly educated
◦ GDP per person $44,710 Ranks 7th among nations
◦ Composed of 406 islands
◦ Equality matching culture
Denmark
All organizations in Denmark host a luncheon◦ Employee and employer responsibility
Occurs on one of three Fridays in December
Begins at 1pm
Controlled culture◦ Inappropriate thoughts, emotions, and actions
The Danish Christmas Luncheon
Queen Margrethe of Denmark united Denmark, Norway, and Sweden in 1397◦ Norway belonged to Denmark until 1814◦ Gradually diminished because of periodic wars
WWII◦ Germany invaded Norway and Denmark◦ Armbands◦ Dangerously led Jewish Danes to neutral Sweden
Saved 95% of 7,000 Jewish residents
History of Denmark
Individualistic◦ Ranked 9th of 53
Interdependent◦ Geography, small size, and history
Both individuality and group norms are both respected◦ Wealthy residence
Tendency toward conformity◦ Christmas luncheon provides an escape from that◦ Allowed to express forbidden thoughts and emotions
Denmark’s Culture
Easily could have ended up a part of Germany after Germany became a nation in 1870◦ Faced this threat again in WWII
Military virtually non-existent◦ Large medical corps set up for national emergency
Relaxed approach to life; more than neighbors◦ Study of international happiness involving 80,000
respondents, Denmark won first-place◦ Very modest expectations◦ Relaxed sexual relations: nude bathing, escorts
Geographic Ambivalence
Shortage of labor◦ Young Danes take advantage of the great
education, then move to other countries with lower taxes 63%: free health care, child care, and elder care
Low-skilled immigrants
Challenges in Denmark
Elaborate◦ Home-cooked dishes, candles, fireplace
Most employees work for the same organization all their lives◦ Enhance a sense of coziness and commonality
Luncheon started in homes and communities, but is now a norm for Danish businesses
The Christmas Luncheon
Germany
Understanding Germans It is difficult to understand Germans at
times from an American point of view
Even though 30% of Americans are from German descent
German stereotype: Emphasis on rules and order
A Brief History Germany is relatively young compared to its
European neighbors ◦ Becomes a nation in 1871
Ancestors of the Germans led by Hermann the Great defeated the Romans in 109BCE
The word “German” was a derogatory term
German mercenaries that fought in the American revolution were ridiculed
A Brief History Continued Fredrick the Great and his Father
◦ Produced a strong Prussia
◦ Fredrick the Great was interested in music and philosophy
◦ He also wrote flute music
◦ All these characteristics would foreshadow the Germany to come
A Brief History Continued Through leadership in government and
military smaller kingdoms integrated into what we now know as Germany
These kingdoms kept their individuality
because of diverse historic backgrounds◦ Because of this Germany operates a federal
confederation of 16 independent states
The First Reich Germans romanticize Charlemagne’s Roman
rule as the first Reich◦ Reich: German word which designates “realm” or
“commonwealth” translated to English means “rich”
◦ This lavish tale was due to the lack of illustrious history of their own
◦ ◦ Germany bordered Eastern and Western Europe
this resulted in a great diversity of ethnic groups
The Second Reich Began in 1871
◦ Militarism and rapid economic growth◦ Education, culture, and the arts (especially the
symphony)
Otto Von Bismarck ◦ Iron Chancellor◦ First social welfare system
Required age of 65 to receive government pension
The Second Reich World War I
◦ Versailles Peace Treaty of 1918 Germany had to pay reparations to certain countries
it caused damage to in the war
Damages were valued at 132 million Marks $442 billion in 2012’s money
Economists, especially Maynard Keynes, saw this as excessive and knew it would doom Germany’s economy
The Second Reich The Depression of 1930 only worsened
Germany’s economic situation◦ Political turmoil occurred, groups vied for power
◦ National Socialist Party came to power
◦ Chancellor Hindenburg asks their leader to create minority government
◦ Hitler creates minority government and Germans see him as a source of stability
◦ Hitler ushers in the Third Reich (1000 year)
Modern Germany Modern Germany began after the Allies took
control in 1945◦ Democratic government◦ Labor unions
Marshall Plan◦ Aided war ravaged Europe rebuild their
economies◦ First time in history this occurred
Modern Germany Germany’s economy strengthens
◦ More exports per capita than U.S. and Japan
◦ Extensive regulations have pushed German companies into other nations (small and medium size firms)
◦ Germany scored 15 on individualism This is very high much like America
Symphony Germans Love symphonic music
Germans believe the symphony is symbolic of their culture ◦ Individuals likes and dislikes are subordinated for the
greater good
West Germany has a population of 66 million and has more than 80 orchestras
Some of the world’s greatest composers are German◦ Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, Bach, Beethoven
Symphony Many Germans play musical instruments as
a hobby
Music is an integral and a serious part of life
Collective experience that enriches life
Diversity of the Musical Instruments
Characteristic feature of the Germans = multiplicity -Prince Metternich
Many different ethnic and religious groups
Most diverse city: Frankfurt
Different ethnicities◦ Germany rarely united, marked by division◦ East and West Germany united on October 3, 1990
Both people of Germany and musical instruments of the symphonic orchestra come from many different countries and cultures
The Force of Immigration Primary force
Many foreigners moved into Germany:◦ After the first unification in 1871◦ After the construction of the Berlin Wall◦ With the end of the Cold War in Europe
Immigrant Percentages:◦ Germany: 8%◦ United States: 12%◦ South Africa: 2.3%
Geographic Variation The area of the former East Germany now
accounts for around 30% of Germany
Around the size of Montana
Integration of East and West Germany has been challenging◦ High costs◦ High unemployment
Diversity within the Nation South
◦ Sunny, warmer climate◦ Mostly Protestant
North◦ Colder climate◦ Mostly Catholic
Diversity – Musical Instruments & Geography
Creation of complexity◦ Incorporating more diversity into the new nation◦ Adding musical instruments in the symphonic
orchestra
Positional Arrangements of the Musicians
4 sections:◦ Strings◦ Woodwinds◦ Brass◦ Percussion
Maximize the musical instrumentation Improve the quality of the sound
German Society Very crowded
◦ Germany: 230.5 residents/sq. km.◦ United States: 31.7 residents/sq. km.◦ South Africa: 41 residents/sq. km.
Compartmentalized◦ Affection for privacy and respect for others
The home separates one from the outside world
Christmas Traditions Germany
◦ The privacy and security of the home is valued especially during this time
◦ Gemutlichkeit strongly prevails Translation: “as ‘comfort’ or ‘coziness,’ but it has
wider connotations – of the hearthside and deep content, of home cooking and family security”
South Africa◦ An “out-of-door” day◦ Most time spent on the beaches, rivers, and
mountain slopes
Home as Haven A getaway from the stress of work
Personal status is less threatened
Homes are very protected◦ Fences, walls, hedges, solid doors, blinds, shutters
Front yard rarely used
Homes are kept very clean
Doors are kept closed
Physical Distance Germans prefer to keep more distance
South Africans aren’t as distant◦ Several greeting styles◦ Most common: shake hands, maintain eye
contact, and smile
Formality in German Culture
Formal behavior at home◦ Value privacy/distance
Formal behavior at work◦ Family names rather than first names when meeting
new people
◦ “Du” (familiar “you”): family/close friends only
◦ Coworkers are colleagues, not friends (vs. U.S.)
◦ Distinct line between close friends & acquaintances
German Formality Continued
“Dr.” title limited to PhD/medical degree holders◦ Nazi-era law, “title abuse” illegal
Politeness to strangers/acquaintances◦ Restrained gestures/no smiling ◦ Maintained eye contact to show paying attention◦ Distant/stiff appearance, but friendlier later
German Business Practices Life/Business Compartmentalization
Value of Hierarchies◦ “Ladder of Success”◦ Importance of Executive offices
Status markers: office size, personal secretary outside Office inseparable from/extension of personality Importance of closed doors
Physical Space Norms◦ Germans stand farther apart than North Americans◦ Insulting to move chairs closer to manager’s desk
German Business Practices Continued
Germans More Risk-Averse◦ Less comfortable with strange situations◦ Doing job properly takes time, planning◦ Analyze projects/business opportunities deeply
before committing
Formality/ Physical Distance ◦ Younger Germans less formal in interactions◦ They revert to formal behavior once they begin
working full-time
German Leadership Perspectives
Historically, charismatic leaders not effective◦ Exception: Adolf Hitler
Germans respond to visionary leaders◦ Delegate responsibility in hierarchy◦ Frederick the Great
German culture still idealizes his leadership style
Low Power Distance, High Uncertainty Avoidance
German Leadership Pros
◦ Subordinate participation◦ Fewer organizational levels in companies
Cons◦ Difficult for executives to make decisions ◦ Rigid hierarchy◦ E.g. Daimler-Chrysler merger, 1997◦ Board of directors law
Perhaps the most critical feature of the symphony◦ Everything must be done perfectly◦ Everyone must be willing to participate within the
boundaries of the performance
Solo time is very short for the greater good of the orchestra◦ Symphonic performers must willingly subordinate their
individual selves to the greater good
Germans tend to be individualistic ◦ Individualism in Germany vs. individualism in the US or
Sweden
Precision and Synchronicity
Conscious of time and how to allocate it efficiently◦ No such thing as “free time”
Sharp distinction between work and leisure◦ Prefer for time to be used rationally and efficiently
Tardiness is frowned on
Meetings and negotiations are long and tend to have well-marked stages
Precision and synchronicity also tend to influence communication
Business Rules
Communication◦ Low context◦ Tend to use a deductive way of thinking that relies on past
history and theory vs Anglo-American inductive styles that tend to use cases and examples to back up an argument
Words should mean exactly what they are intended to mean◦ “I’ll call you for lunch.”◦ “Let’s have dinner.”◦ John Cage and his revolutionary production of 4’33’’
South Africa◦ Prime vacation times◦ Meetings begin with small talk; then move to business◦ Agendas are not as rigid
Business Rules
Verb tends to be at the end of a sentence
Main point is made at the end
Like classical symphonies, meetings tend to start slow, can last for hours, and build to a climax
In business, as in music, sound, tone, modulation, and timing are key to a successful performance
Attire and dressing◦ More conservative than Americans◦ Fashionable but don’t take away from the matter at hand
South Africa◦ Most common business language is English◦ White South Africans prefer plain-speaking, while the black culture
stresses diplomacy
Communication Styles
Begins with the grundschule or elementary school
Students assigned to 3 different types of schools◦ Gymnasium, or academic school, for those that want to
pursue a university education◦ Realchule, or “real world” school; goes through grade
10◦ Hauptshule; students free to leave after grade 9
Today, more than 50% of Germans graduate from gymnasium
The Education System
One of the highest rates of public investment in education in the world
Three bands of education◦ General education and training◦ Further education and training◦ Higher education and training
South Africa Education
Germany maintains a military force structure
Service to the country is widely accepted
This service translates into a message of unity
A Pattern of Order
Old traditions unite German population
Thousands of festivals every year
Karneval aka “Mardi Gras”
Oktoberfest
German Festivals
Looking for a new identity
“Du bist Duetschland”
Changes in German Culture?
Germany will continue to emphasize the characteristics of the symphony
The Unfinished Symphony
Ireland
Irish Conversations Three Pillars of Irish Culture
1. Language Irish language (Gaelic language) is increasing in importance
2. Rural Heritage Declining Rural Heritage especially in and around Dublin Crime, drug use, and other urban ailments are now prevalent
3. Catholic Church “The Catholic Church no longer has the power and prestige
that it flaunted and exercised for generations.”
Irish Conversations Identifying Links:
◦ Ireland culture still reflects village-like perspective
◦ Four Major Cities: Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway
◦ 1970: 60% of workforce was employed in agriculture Today = 7%
Irish Conversations Intersection of Gaelic and English
Languages
◦ Intense love for conversation and storytelling
◦ English Language Used in ways not found in any other culture Creating a vivid mental picture, pleasing to the mind
and ear Originating from the imaginative story telling
Irish Conversations Irish Writers
◦ Ireland has produced many prominent essayists, novelists, and poets
◦ This prominence reflects the intersection of Gaelic and English languages
◦ Creative and wildly imaginative styles of writing Pleasing to many different cultures and types of people
Irish Conversations Irish Music
◦ Distinctive sound and approach to music
◦ Influenced by classical Irish dances and long dialogues
◦ Irish music represents their style of living Relaxed and slow moving approach to life Fun loving environment sparks conversation and
develops friendships
Prayer as Conversation One of the most important parts of Irish life
>90% Roman Catholic◦ Regular Sunday Mass attendance 44%◦ Most Irish hospitals are run through the church,
partially state-funded but often staffed with nuns◦ State-funded school system but schools are
usually run by local clergy
Many Irish begin and end their day with prayer
Irish Hospitality Irish are generally very friendly and trusting
National greeting translates to “one hundred thousand welcomes”
Great love of conversation – long, spirited◦ Follows tangents
Not satisfied with superficial conversations◦ Love discussing religion and politics in public
Rural Irish usually leave doors unlocked◦ Passers-by often invited in for meals
South African Conversations
11 languages officially recognized by South African government◦ English is the language of commerce
Multiple cultures
Business communication is fairly informal
In general, South Africans enjoy conversation◦ Avoid controversial topics
-- http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/etiquette/doing- business-south-africa.html
Irish Places of Conversation
Family Dinners◦ Kids share about school
Education viewed as very important◦ Extended family, friends, and neighbors
Weddings and Wakes◦ Wakes: Parties held to say goodbye to the dead◦ Weddings: Big church weddings followed by a
huge celebration
Places of Conversation Pubs
◦ Popular gathering place for men, women and children
◦ Young and old mingle Respect for elders
◦ Irish do not believe in drinking alone
◦ Good pub conversation viewed as more important than a good drink Storytelling, recitation, public readings, heated
arguments
Ending a Conversation Irish tend to have the last word
Hofstede’s research◦ Masculine-oriented◦ Not acquisition-oriented
Balance between “being” and “doing”◦ Individualistic regarding conversation and opinions,
collectivist regarding family and religion
Creative and stubborn
Optimistic and challenge-accepting
Stephen, the mad Irishman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkI4LDf6
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