Intercultural Communication and Translation News

Kissing is more common amongst people nowadays than ever before, with people celebrating images like the below being shown and celebrated all over the world.

Kissing is now one of the most common forms of affection worldwide and dates all the way back to 1500 BC. Despite this, kissing is still quite a controversial matter in some countries, so let’s learn a little bit more about it.

Many people automatically associate the French kiss with France; this is likely to be because of Paris and the idea of romance that it has attached to it. It was probably just labelled as a ‘French kiss’ due to the fact that the French are known for their promiscuous and flirty nature. In actual fact the most common form of kiss in France is the cheek-kiss, which is essentially a greeting in the form of an ‘air kiss’, with men also kissing each other if they are well acquainted. The number of kisses can vary between 1 and 6 – quite exhausting if you’re not used to it!

These are generally used as greetings all over the world today, particularly in Europe, with each country varying the amount of ‘air kisses’. In some countries, including France, the men will kiss the lady’s hand when saying hello or goodbye.

In Spain, people always kiss when greeting each other and it’s always two kisses, starting on the right side, with men always shaking hands instead.

In Italy, the ‘air kiss’ also applies, but starting on the left side instead – guys and girls kiss twice, but only if they know each other. If not acquainted, people will shake hands and give their name. In Northern Italy, however, people don’t usually greet each other with a kiss.

In Belgium, people just give each other the one ‘air kiss’ – men do this too – yet they do not shake hands, unless it is in business matters, because it is considered too formal.

As for Germany, they tend to leave out the kissing, apart from “the teens who kiss in school who want to feel cool”, according to our German intern! Germans prefer to shake hands if they are not acquainted, or hug if they are friends.

In America, the men tend to shake hands whilst the women will greet with the kiss on one or both cheeks and a hug.

In South Africa, men will kiss women that they are acquainted with on the cheek. South Africans tend to just shake hands with people that they are not familiar with. Like many places, greeting styles vary depending on the ethnic heritage of the person.

However, in some countries, kissing is more of a recent affair. This is especially true in Japan and China whereby kissing is only considered necessary during romantic moments, not to be done in public. – young people still do it anyway, though.

It’s interesting to note that kissing in public in India is a complete no no. I found BBC news article that tells us of a young married couple of whom were picked up by the police for kissing in public. You will not often see kissing in any Indian films, and if you do, you will certainly hear about it!

by Megan Elliott

This image was posted up on Facebook. We are unable to locate the source, so if the source locates this please get in touch so we can give you the credit.

It’s a great insight for those who find the British communication style puzzling at times. We tend to beat around the bush a lot, rely on others to interpret what we are really trying to say and be as polite as we can. For more info on this topic visit our British Culture and Customs page.

Leigh Van Bryan and his friend Emily Banting are not the first people to fall afoul of the linguistic differences between us Brits and our cousins over in the USA. Although we both speak English, we don’t always share the same English, especially when it comes to vocabulary.

The tourists were booted out of the country after the Department of Homeland Security flagged Leigh as a potential threat when he posted a tweet to his mates prior to his trip to Hollywood which read: ‘Free this week, for quick gossip/prep before I go and destroy America?’  What the Department of Homeland Security didn’t seem to appreciate was that in the UK, within his generation, he didn’t plan to ‘destroy’ America but to party very hard. (Read more about the story here)

So in honour (yes, honour not honor) of Leigh we thought we would spare travelers either side of the Atlantic their blushes with a quick fire guide to Anglo-America words that don’t mean the same.

If you know of anymore, please send them our way to add here (details at end).

• Rubber (USA = condom) – Rubber (UK = eraser)
• Football (USA = rugby with lots of body armour) – Football (UK = what the Americans call “soccer”)
• Fag (USA = homosexual) – Fag (UK = cigarette)
• Bum (USA = homeless person)  – Bum (UK = your bottom)
• Fanny (USA = your bottom) – Fanny (UK = women’s genitalia)
• Knickers (USA = short trousers) – Knickers (UK = women’s underwear)
• Pants (USA = trousers) – Pants (UK = men’s underwear)
• Pot plant (USA = marijuana plant) – Pot plant (UK = plant in a pot)
• Suspenders (USA = braces) – Suspenders (UK = Straps worn to hold up a woman’s stockings)
• Pissed (USA = angry) – Pissed (UK = drunk)
• Power-bang (USA = type of fringe [hair]) – Power-bang (UK = does not exist but would be interpreted as very vigorous sex)
• Chippy (USA = a woman of suboptimal morals) – Chippy (UK = fish and chip shop)
• Tomayto (USA = red salad vegetable) – Tomahto (UK = red salad vegetable)

If you know of any more “tricky” words people should avoid, please email us (info AT kwintessential.co.uk) along with your name and we will publish them here.

For those interested in some more UK-USA vocabulary, please check out these websites:

• Wikipedia – British-American English
• The BG Map – Driving specific differences
• The American’s guide to speaking British
• Dictionary of Slang
• A British slang dictionary with audio pronunciations

written by +Ben Lewis

India as a country has 28 states, 7 union territories, 16 official languages and many different dialects. This can make it difficult to make general comments on the differences in culture and business when there are many differences in the country itself.

However, there are a few factors that are kept the same throughout India and should be kept in mind when doing business in India.
Both business and society structures are strictly hierarchical and everyone has a set position, because of this, Indian organisations are usually run by one powerful individual who makes all the big decisions and sends instructions down the hierarchical chain. Subordinates know their position within the business and will never question instructions due to the greater forces of Karma and Dharma.

Due to the strict business structure it is very important to find out who is at the top of the company’s hierarchical structure so no time is wasted with decision making, if this is not possible then aim to deal with someone else within the business that has an influence over decision making.

Meetings will vary between companies some will have a more westernised approach whilst others will have a more traditional approach. The more traditional style meetings may take some getting used to as they are usually very informal and interruptions often occur from other employees entering and discussing other matters or calls being taken.

As the Indian society find relationships very important meetings may start off with some casual banter, it is important not to rush this stage as it is a good time to help enhance credibility with the company.

Women are accepted in the Indian workforce and rank usually over rules gender, so if a woman is in a high ranking position her orders will be followed just as diligently.

Dress code in the Indian workplace is formal but light, if travelling there for business men should wear lightweight suits and women should wear appropriate dress or trouser suits, these should not show too much skin. Avoid wearing any leather as this may be considered offensive to Hindu’s who have a profound respect for cows.

Gift giving is a big part of Indian life and the gift giver should be the one to thank the receiver as it is believed that giving gifts during life helps you gain a better after life. Gifts should be wrapped but not in black or white paper as it is considered unlucky, make sure you keep in mind the receivers religion so you don’t give them anything that may offend them.

If you keep these basic tips in mind your trip should go smoothly and hopefully be rewarding!

by +Steph Lyons

Russia, like many other countries, has its differences in terms of culture and how to do business. So if you are going to do business in Russia it is important to learn and understand these differences so your trip goes smoothly.

Russia is undergoing some radical changes at the moment due to the removal of the old order; this has left a big gap in Russia both politically and economically. Although the old order is gone many Russian companies are still under the old laws of the soviet Union which are no longer valid and the new laws are constantly being re-written so cannot be enforced.

The only things that can be relied on are the close personal relationships in the workplace and a strong level of trust when forming agreements because if the business relationship falls apart the legal aspect of the agreement will end up meaning very little.

When dealing with a potential client or partner in Russia it is essential that you find out who is in the highest ranks, as Russian organisations are usually driven by one powerful person who makes all the strategic decisions without consulting anyone else other than a few trusted advisors.  By finding out who that this person is you will save yourself a lot of time and effort than trying to gain answers from someone in a lower ranking.

Russian companies tend to have a focused interest in the short term of business activities so make sure you can provide the company with the short term benefits that they can gain from joining you as well as the long term benefits.

If team work is required it is best to allow the team to get to know each other well and then keep this team together as they will be more efficient if they have developed close bonds with each other, there should also be an appointed team leader who will be able to deliver clear instructions and show that they are in control.

Knowledge of the English language will vary greatly in Russia, some will be fluent in English as well as other languages and some will know very little. It is important to find out in advance if an interpreter will be required to prevent communication issues occurring.

More emphasis is usually put on the spoken word than the written, where possible aim to speak directly to the client or potential partner as this will be more efficient in getting the information across than sending the information in just the written format.

During meetings Russians tend to give little verbal or visual feedback, do not take this as a sign of disinterest or lack of understanding as it usually means that they are taking their time to think about the information given before replying.

A high percentage of the Russian workplace is made up of women, however, it is rare to find them in high level positions and if you are a woman going to work in Russia be prepared to be greeted with the old traditions of courtesy but ignored or treated as inferior by the male colleagues in meetings even if you are of a higher rank than them.

Russians tend to dress as well as they can based on their salary, it is important to look smart and appear to be dressed expensively as this will enhance the first impression you give to the client and in turn increase your credibility.
Remember that the weather in Russia can be very extreme, especially in the winter, so make sure you find out the weather conditions of where you are going and dress accordingly.

by +Steph Lyons

In order to gain the most out of business trips abroad it is important to be able to adapt to and understand their culture if it is different to your own.

By doing this you are showing respect to the people you are meeting and can also greatly improve communication between the two parties.

In this article I will be outlining some tips to keep in mind if you decide to do business in Brazil:

•    Firstly, be aware of the costs of doing business in Brazil, this can include governmental inefficiency, excessive taxation, legal and bureaucratic complications, corruption etc. This can be a very frustrating and high risk issue for international business people so look into forming close links with local accountants and lawyers so you don’t get caught out.

•    Try to find out the hierarchical business structure of the potential partner as most decisions are done at a senior level, so you don’t want to end up dealing with someone who does not have the required authority to make important decisions for the company as this could cause a big delay in getting answers from the organisation. If you do find out the hierarchal structure be aware of the fact that it may not be 100% correct due to the effect of personal relationships with in the organisation.

•    A good relationship between employees is of great importance, the boss and other employees work hard to build and maintain a professional relationship that is based on trust and respect.  If you do need to ask the subordinates to complete a task ensure you provide clear and detailed instructions, if the task is not completed properly question your instructions first before questioning the employees.

•    When attending a meeting in Brazil keep in mind the following:

-    Initial meetings are usually formal but subsequent meetings tend to be less formal and could start off with some casual banter, don’t hurry this part as it will help to form a good relationship with the others and the last thing you want is to come across as impatient or rushed.
-    Punctuality is not of high importance and meetings may start and finish later than planned, try not to become frustrated or annoyed if this happens as the potential relationship you are building is more important than set agendas.
-    Brazilians can appear very emotional in meetings, this is just an expression of their commitment and does not necessarily mean a lack of control or that they are angry.
-    It is also common for exaggerated language to be used and can be combined with a close proximity and continual eye contact, it is important to adapt to these communication styles quickly as becoming reserved to their ways could come across as you being unfriendly.
-    Although many people in the higher ranks will most likely speak English, it is not commonly spoken throughout Brazil so it is a good idea to look into hiring an Interpreter during your visit. Ensure the Interpreter is Portuguese and does not interpret in Spanish as the Brazilians take pride in being non-Spanish speakers and it would be seen as disrespectful if the interpreter speaks in Spanish.

•    If your trip requires a lot of team working it is important to allow everyone to get to know each other to form those highly valued relationships.

•    Oral communication is used more often than the written word so if you do send something in the written format it is wise to follow up with a call or visit.

•    Women in Brazil are welcomed into the business world, but it is unlikely you will come across women in the highest and most senior levels of an organisation. Saying this, the old ways are not forgotten by Brazilian men in the sense that they may not allow a woman to pay for a lunch or will make an effort to compliment women on they appearance or looks.

•    Finally, dress code is very important and formal, it is vital that you look your best as first impressions are highly valued in the initial stages of the relationship building process.

by +Steph Lyons

New Zealand Education Minster, Pita Sharples, has launched a new initiative ‘Tataiako’ that aims to help teachers to improve their understanding of Maori culture. The resource, which acts as a set of guidelines, enables teachers to reflect on their past cultural sensitivity, to assess their existing knowledge,  and also to take responsibility for improving their cultural awareness for the future.

The important aspect of this particular programme is that it looks to establish a long-term reflexive attitude within the teaching commuity. The stress is not to enforce rules or test teachers, but instead to encourage them to contemplate upon their own experiences and behaviour throughout their careers.

New Zealand is popular with tourists from all over the world and is famous for accommodating and welcoming their needs. However, as with every country, it is vital that it considers the cultural integration of its own citizens before true pluralism can be achieved. It is not about a short-term activity-based integration or homogenizing of migrant communities, it is about the existing people of New Zealand having respect for the cultures of their own islands.

“Engaging in respectful working relationships with Maori students and their families” (quoted from: New Zealand news platform ‘Stuff’) is a key point taken from the new guidelines. It extends from the classroom discussion and integrity of cultural awareness to broader social integration of different communities within New Zealand (school) life. A further three guidelines outline “sincerity and respect towards Maori beliefs, language and culture”, taking responsibility for the learning of Maori students and the deliberate recognition of Maori student’s heritage as the core competancies for teachers to work for.

The main need is to understand the importance of identity to Maori students and their communities. Without understanding the unique perspectives of these children and young adults, you cannot fully engage in understanding how school and learning can and will come across to them.

Statistical evidence over the past decade has shown that students from a Maori background are falling behind those children from other ethnic groups. Improving cultural awareness will not only improve the continuity of Maori childrens’ lives, but will also make it easier for communication to exist between schools and Maori communities on the issue of education.

Finally, from the development of more culturally aware and skillful teachers should come the formulation a of more respectful, united and happy student population.

For anyone who has never been in business in Spain before, then there are a few things that you will need to know and understand before you go about chairing your first Spanish business meeting.

Spanish companies are often still structured with the traditional management structure, however as new and cutting edge businesses are emerging this is starting to change towards a more modern way of thinking and management is becoming more fluid, this mainly due to younger managers working and studying abroad and then returning to work in Spain.

If you are going into your first Spanish business meeting then you will need to know that the ethos in Spain is to hold meetings that are there to inform and instruct, rather than discuss ideas or brainstorm. It is up to the Managing Director of the company to make all of the decisions and these are then communicated down the ranks to employees. At meetings it is normal for conversations to stray away from the topic in hand and move to personal and social discussions (remember that the Spanish are very social and this comes across even when they are in the work environment).

If you think that you are going to enter into negotiations then remember that the Catalans prefer a professional negotiation style whereas in Southern Spain it is all about the bargains!

Remember that in Spain it is usual for you to be interrupted when you are speaking, as this is not considered rude, it is actually usually a sign that the person to whom you are talking is involved in the conversation.

Try to dress smart as this will make a great impression in Spain. The way you dress reflects how you are viewed in Spanish business and you will be respected if you wear traditional business dress.

Read more on the topic @ Management in Spain

A new study has reported that it seems that it takes the average American longer to fall in love than their European equals.
The study looked at Americans and also at Eastern Europeans and found that Americans often considered friendships to be a crucial part of the relationship process for Americans rather than for Europeans.
The report says that out of those people studied it was found that people from Lithuania (around 90% in fact) said that they usually fall in love within one month of meeting their new partner. In comparison to this 58% of Americans said that they fell in love anywhere between 2 months to a year.
The study was conducted to see how different cultures perceived love and over 1000 people from the US, Russia and Lithuania all took part in the survey which consisted of a 14 page questionnaire.
Interestingly Eastern Europeans viewed romance as fleeting whereas Americans saw it as something that was longer lasting. Eastern Europeans seem to be cynical about romantic love using terms such as ‘a stage’ and ‘fairy tale’.
This is in direct comparison to the Americans who said that ‘honesty,’ ‘contentment’ and ‘comfort’ were all crucial for love.
The research was carried out by scientists at the State University of New York at New Paltz and Russia’s Moscow State University for the Humanities.

The German Knigge Society (or as it translates the German Etiquette Society) has announced that it feels it appropriate for kissing in the work environment to be banned.

According to the society the Germans find kissing in public highly offensive and therefore kissing in the office is extremely inappropriate. The chairman of the group said that kissing in the office (he is talking about pecks on the cheek rather than full blown kisses) is only a recent development but that it was affecting the way people were going about their work in the office environment.

Germans are traditionally very polite and their work environment is very formal, so pecks on the cheek (even when used as greetings) do not really fit with the usual way of doing things and handshakes are considered to be much more appropriate.

Here are some office etiquette pointers to make sure that you are staying on the right side of the boss with your manners!

1. If you have to eat at your desk make sure that you food is office friendly – so avoid anything that is very smelly.
2. If you use social network sites make sure that you limit who can see your posts, you can come across as very unprofessional if you are telling all of your co-workers about how you were drunk at the weekend.
3. If you are in a relationship with someone at work then make sure that you keep it quiet as it can often be frowned upon by managers as it is thought to be distracting.
5. Always make sure that you look smart and well presented as this will mean that you are taken seriously in the work environment.