Japanese versus Western Culture
Japanese culture versus Western culture What is considered Western culture? First a list of what we (here at Culture Matters) consider Western countries (possibly skipping a couple): Canada USA UK Netherlands Scandinavia France Germany Northern Italy (not the south,...
Uncovering the Hidden Depths of Cultural Differences in Business: A Fish Out of Water’s Perspective
Uncovering the Hidden Depths of Cultural Differences in Business: A Fish Out of Water's Perspective The metaphor of a fish out of water is often used to describe a feeling of discomfort or unfamiliarity in a new environment. However, when it comes to...
It’s Culture Stupid. Nine More Signs You’re Not Getting It
It's Culture Stupid [4-mins read] In an earlier article called Nine Signs, You're Not Getting it, I wrote about 9 signs showing that people who work internationally don't always realize that they should pay attention to cultural differences. Not getting what? That...
Nordic Culture, Scandinavian Culture and Swedish Culture
Nordic Culture, Scandinavian Culture, and Swedish Culture [6-mins] Is this One Region? Americans crossing the Atlantic often say they're going to "Europe", thinking in terms of a region. But of course, Europe is a continent and not one country. Europe is in fact one...
How to Shake Hands in Other Cultures
How to Shake Hands in Other Cultures; To Kiss Bow or Shake Hands [3-mins] How often do you kiss if that's the way you greet each other? In Belgium, it is once. In the Netherlands, it is three times. In the USA you air-kiss (kissing when only the cheeks touch...
Most Common Cultural Diversity Mistakes; 9 Signs You’re Not Getting It
The Most Common Cultural Diversity Mistakes [3-mins] These are the most common cultural diversity mistakes we'll cover in this article: The lumberjack syndrome You Think We're All the Same They Don't Get It (but you do) I Just Don't Understand Them Everyone...
Democracy and Cultural Diversity
Democracy and Cultural Diversity [4-min read] This writing is an attempt to explain, from a cultural point of view, why Democracy is not a World Universal "thing". Democratic elections in Pakistan, Russia, Afghanistan, and Burma? The list is far from complete. In the...
Humor in Different Countries
In a previous post on Humor in Different Countries (2012), I tried to make a point about humor not being culturally neutral. (Click here to read it). I don't think there are many people who will disagree with the above point. In order to illustrate the...
The Good Assumption in International Business
The term ‘economics’ comes from the Ancient Greek oikos, which means ‘house’, and nomos, which stand for ‘custom’ or ‘law’. In other words, economics is really a social science about the ‘rules of the house'. Macroeconomics, microeconomics, business economics,...
