Drinking In group-oriented societies like Asia, people have been hierarchically divided into superiors – inferiors. Primarily based on social class, sex, age, and occupation. As a result, it can be almost impossible for those in different groups to communicate effectively. This has also meant following extremely detailed and strictly enforced rules of etiquette.
Suppose you're talking with your Asian prospect or customer, everything is going fine, as far as you know. But suddenly you hear some sucking sounds. Your counterpart is drawing in air through his teeth making a clearly audible sucking sound. NOT GOOD. In general, Asians rarely give a straight out "No." nor, will
In the west, we are told to be logical, and objective and to keep our feelings under control especially in public and in business relations. Our private lives are meant to be separate from our professional lives. Business is business. Judgments are meant to be impersonal never personal. In direct contrast to Chinese
Han – the force that drives Koreans From the start of Korea’s history up to 1945, the common people of Korea have lived under some type of authoritarian rule. Each one was designed to prevent Koreans from thinking and behaving as individuals, including limiting their choices in how and where they lived. Over time,
Asian philosophy stresses the importance of controlling the mind and disciplining it to achieve specific goals whether its in martial arts, architecture, or gardening. Kyong, as it is known in Korean society, has played a key role in the government and cultural establishment’s objective of having a smooth-running and obedient society. Gaining control of
From the days of Marco Polo onwards, western men especially, have been captivated by the mystique of the Orient. Much of this was and still is, based on the beauty of Asian women along with the beliefs regarding their sexual availability. On top of this was the perception, that many of the things regarded
In Western culture, the center of our being is the heart such as in the expression “ a matter of the heart.” However, in many Asian cultures, the center of one’s being is the stomach or abdomen. It’s the belly, not the heart Japan provides a good example. In that culture, the stomach
In Confucian societies Confucian societies like China, Japan, and Korea, preserving harmony by saving face for everyone is of the utmost importance. Ideally harmony will result when everyone behaves according to their prescribed role and refrains from disagreeing or confronting another. Especially when interacting with others of the same class or higher. Any disagreement
Accessing Asian markets successfully has its challenges. Different laws, languages, customs, cultures, and ways of doing business. In many respects, Asians think in ways that are completely opposite. Their focus is on the group, and not the individual.
