Deck 9: Business and Social Customs

Question 1

A stereotype of Asian women is that they are nonassertive and submissive.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

U.S.hiring and firing practices are very similar to those in France.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Wearing white for business in Thailand is inappropriate.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

While superstitions are treated casually in the United States,they are taken quite seriously in some cultures.

Question 5

People of the United States are comfortable with touching strangers in public places.

Question 6

Asking an Arab man about the health of his wife is taboo.

Question 7

U.S.laws against bribery are the most restrictive in the world.

Question 8

Which of the following statements related to greeting and handshaking customs is incorrect?

A)A firm handshake is the norm in the U.S.and Germany.
B)In China bowing is a customary greeting behavior.
C)People of Finland typically hug each other when greeting.
D)The "bear hug" is a common form of greeting between males who are good friends in the Russian Federation.

Question 9

T F Germans do not find humor appropriate during business meetings.

Question 10

The expression used by southern U.S.persons when bidding someone goodbye,"Y'all come to see us," is a sincere invitation to visit since southern hospitality is well known.

Question 11

One-word U.S.expressions such as "sure" and "okay" are perceived as blunt and abrupt by persons of other cultures.

Question 12

The soles of the feet should not be shown in Arab cultures.

Question 13

When engaging in small talk with a person of another culture,remember that discussing one's family and political discussions are inappropriate topics in all cultures.

Question 14

People of the United States and Canada excel at small talk;people of Sweden and Finland do not.

Question 15

Customs vary by country and by regions within a country.

Question 16

In low-context cultures people have definite ideas on what constitutes proper male/female behavior.

Question 17

It is widely accepted in the United States that men and women can have a work relationship which does not have a sexual component.

Question 18

Which of the following statements related to verbal expressions is incorrect?

A)The U.S.expression,"Don't mention it," in response to a favor is viewed as rude by persons of other cultures.
B)The U.S.expression,"How's it going?" is confusing for persons for whom English is a second language.
C)Small talk often includes comments about the weather.
D)In the United States small talk may include discussions of one's family or personal life.

Question 19

Humor is a universal human characteristic;people of most cultures find similar things humorous.

Question 20

The Japanese are uncomfortable with small talk.

Question 21

Which statement regarding cultural business attire is incorrect?

A)The French are very fashion conscious.
B)Business dress in Europe is the same as in the United States.
C)Japanese women wear only muted colors to the office.
D)People in Canada dress more formally than do U.S.people.

Question 22

Which statement regarding dress and appearance is correct?

A)When visiting Saudi Arabia,wear the Arabic white,flowing robe and headcloth to show respect for the culture.
B)Shoes should be removed when entering most Asian homes.
C)Women conducting business in the Arab countries should wear pants and long-sleeved blouses or jackets.
D)Wearing black or solid white in Thailand is appropriate;however,women should avoid wearing bright colors.

Question 23

Which statement regarding consumption taboos isincorrect?

A)Strict Muslims do not consume pork.
B)Hindus do not eat any beef;the cow is considered sacred.
C)Orthodox Jews eat only cattle or fowl that has been ritually slaughtered so that it is "kosher."
D)U.S.persons do not eat horse meat because of religious taboos.

Question 24

Which of the following is an inaccurate representation of a cultural superstition?

A)The result of having three persons in a photograph is that the middle person will die.
B)Attaching old shoes to the car of newlyweds assures prosperity and long life.
C)Important events should not be scheduled on Tuesday the thirteenth;this is an unlucky day.
D)Bathing on New Year's Day will wash away a person's good luck.

Question 25

Which statement regarding special foods is incorrect?

A)Corn-on-the-cob,a U.S.food,is considered a food for animals only in other countries.
B)Most countries enjoy popcorn.
C)Eating sheep's eyeballs in Saudi Arabia is common.
D)In Mexico,chicken soup may contain the chicken's feet.

Question 26

Which statement regarding holidays isincorrect?

A)Germany has a carnival season similar to Mardi Gras.
B)Many countries celebrate New Year's Day.
C)Many Japanese companies close from April 29 to May 5.
D)June is a bad time to conduct business in Europe as this is considered the vacation month.

Question 27

Which statement regarding office customs/practices is incorrect?

A)U.S.employees are expected to keep busy while at work even during slow periods.
B)Peru has one of the longest workweeks in the world.
C)U.S.firms give more and longer breaks than do most European companies.
D)In the United Kingdom,the only grounds for job termination are criminal behavior.

Question 28

Which of the following types of humor would be acceptable internationally?

A)humorous stories about golfers
B)cartoons depicting differences in minorities
C)jokes about sex
D)humorous stories comparing religions

Question 29

Which statement regarding business casual attire isincorrect?

A)The trend toward casual dress in U.S.firms seems to be on the wane.
B)Wearing casual attire in Japanese firms is common.
C)In the Philippines casual attire is more common than in many European firms.
D)Some U.S.companies are revoking casual dress policies because their corporate image is suffering.

Question 30

Appropriate public behavior in the United States includes

A)giving priority to older persons when waiting in line.
B)speaking quietly in elevators.
C)keeping to the left when walking on the street.
D)treating service personnel with courtesy and respect.

Question 31

The general rule for business dress in all cultures,according to Axtell,is to

A)wear dark colors.
B)wear jackets at all times.
C)dress very conservatively and be very "buttoned up."
D)dress as people in the host culture dress.

Question 32

Which of the following statements related to male and female relationships is incorrect?

A)A stereotype of U.S.women is that they are domineering.
B)American men are viewed as weak.
C)A stereotype of Latin American males is that they pursue women for sexual relationships.
D)According to U.S.managers working in Mexico,gender discrimination in that country is uncommon.

Question 33

Which of the following statements is incorrectrelated to cultural taboos?

A)Pregnant women of Madagascar may not walk the streets after sundown.
B)In Malaysia pointing with one's index finger is taboo.
C)In Indonesia the head should not be touched by someone else.
D)In the Russian States it is taboo to wear a coat indoors.