Data Bases • Custom Term Papers • Free Term Papers • Free Research Papers • Free Essays • Free Book Reports • Plagiarism? Links • Top 100 Term Paper Sites • Top 25 Essay Sites • Top 50 Essay Sites • Search 97,000 Papers @ DirectEssays.com • Search 101,000 Papers @ ExampleEssays.com • Search 90,000 Papers @ MegaEssays.com Free Essays • Term Paper Sites • Chuck III's Free Essays • Free College Essays • TermPaperSites.com • My Term Papers • Get Free Essays • Essay World • Planet Papers	Search Lots of Essays Back to Subjects - Computers Kiss Bow or Shake Hands Kiss Bow or Shake Hands The book Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands, is written specifically with those doing international business in mind. It is essentially a guide to over sixty countries and an explanation of their society and cultural customs. Knowledge of those with whom you are doing business not only can help avoid costly blunders it can also give you an advantage when dealing with them. The authors identify that there are three main factors that effect how people act, think, and make decisions. The first is religion, in some countries faith plays an important role in all areas of life in the culture of the country and can influence many of their customs and behavior. The second factor is that of fact. In many countries their greatest desire is to find the best deal and the best product or services. The final factor is feeling, if a culture is based on feelings the people will conduct business accordingly. For example it would be essential to make a personal connection with this type of individual. The rest of the book is spent discussing each of the countries in detail. For each country the authors give a brief explanation of the history of the culture. Then they give tips on what each country expects from a visiting businessman. This includes tips on whether or not it is okay to be late for meetings, proper behavior during a business lunch or dinner, and how to properly address people you come in contact with during your business trip. They also give a guide to phrases and gestures that might seem harmless, but actually have negative connotations in certain society. This is very important to keep from embarrassing yourself and from hurt company relations. There were many cultural rules or beliefs about foreign countries that I would have never thought of or even considered. For instance, in the country of Japan it is consider very impolite and inconsiderate to put a business card on your pocket or in your wallet. Also, why they may shake your hand they are more comfortable with bowing when they greet someone. This is based mainly on the fact that they do not look favorably on physical contact in public, especially of those of the same sex. However in France it would not be uncommon to be greeted with a kiss on the cheek, but in Portugal this would only be acceptable for women today. Many common gestures in the United States like the okay sign or the peace symbol with the palm facing inward can all be interpreted as vulgar gestures in some foreign countries. In Italy the more important the person the less information he would have on his business card, but in Japan they belief in putting as much credentials on a business card as possible. While this may seem trivial or comical it is important when you consider that they will be judging you by what they think of your card. This is overall a great book, it is written in a manner that makes it easy to find the information you need to know. It is also written with humor and side notes that make it enjoyable to read. The most entertaining and informative was the section on the United States. This gives a wonderful understanding on how foreigners might view some of our customs that we do not think twice again. I would recommend this book to anyone who deals with foreign businessmen at any time, it is invaluable and can help to make a good impression in all your business dealings. Bibliography: Word Count: 595
Copyright © 1998-2008 College Term Papers, INC All Rights Reserved. DMCA Notifications and Requests