Understanding Global Cultures

Shelby Bates Sarah HartAnnalisa Day Tye JonesChelsi Delgado Travis MarlarJessica Denis Zach Williams

Chapter 11◦ The Danish Christmas Luncheon

Chapter 12◦ The German Symphony

Chapter 13◦ Irish Conversations

Preview

Denmark

◦ 5.4 population

◦ Highly educated

◦ GDP per person $44,710 Ranks 7th among nations

◦ Composed of 406 islands

◦ Equality matching culture

Denmark

All organizations in Denmark host a luncheon◦ Employee and employer responsibility

Occurs on one of three Fridays in December

Begins at 1pm

Controlled culture◦ Inappropriate thoughts, emotions, and actions

The Danish Christmas Luncheon

Queen Margrethe of Denmark united Denmark, Norway, and Sweden in 1397◦ Norway belonged to Denmark until 1814◦ Gradually diminished because of periodic wars

WWII◦ Germany invaded Norway and Denmark◦ Armbands◦ Dangerously led Jewish Danes to neutral Sweden

Saved 95% of 7,000 Jewish residents

History of Denmark

Individualistic◦ Ranked 9th of 53

Interdependent◦ Geography, small size, and history

Both individuality and group norms are both respected◦ Wealthy residence

Tendency toward conformity◦ Christmas luncheon provides an escape from that◦ Allowed to express forbidden thoughts and emotions

Denmark’s Culture

Easily could have ended up a part of Germany after Germany became a nation in 1870◦ Faced this threat again in WWII

Military virtually non-existent◦ Large medical corps set up for national emergency

Relaxed approach to life; more than neighbors◦ Study of international happiness involving 80,000

respondents, Denmark won first-place◦ Very modest expectations◦ Relaxed sexual relations: nude bathing, escorts

Geographic Ambivalence

Shortage of labor◦ Young Danes take advantage of the great

education, then move to other countries with lower taxes 63%: free health care, child care, and elder care

Low-skilled immigrants

Challenges in Denmark

Elaborate◦ Home-cooked dishes, candles, fireplace

Most employees work for the same organization all their lives◦ Enhance a sense of coziness and commonality

Luncheon started in homes and communities, but is now a norm for Danish businesses

The Christmas Luncheon

Germany

Understanding Germans It is difficult to understand Germans at

times from an American point of view

Even though 30% of Americans are from German descent

German stereotype: Emphasis on rules and order

A Brief History Germany is relatively young compared to its

European neighbors ◦ Becomes a nation in 1871

Ancestors of the Germans led by Hermann the Great defeated the Romans in 109BCE

The word “German” was a derogatory term

German mercenaries that fought in the American revolution were ridiculed

A Brief History Continued Fredrick the Great and his Father

◦ Produced a strong Prussia

◦ Fredrick the Great was interested in music and philosophy

◦ He also wrote flute music

◦ All these characteristics would foreshadow the Germany to come

A Brief History Continued Through leadership in government and

military smaller kingdoms integrated into what we now know as Germany

These kingdoms kept their individuality

because of diverse historic backgrounds◦ Because of this Germany operates a federal

confederation of 16 independent states

The First Reich Germans romanticize Charlemagne’s Roman

rule as the first Reich◦ Reich: German word which designates “realm” or

“commonwealth” translated to English means “rich”

◦ This lavish tale was due to the lack of illustrious history of their own

◦ ◦ Germany bordered Eastern and Western Europe

this resulted in a great diversity of ethnic groups

The Second Reich Began in 1871

◦ Militarism and rapid economic growth◦ Education, culture, and the arts (especially the

symphony)

Otto Von Bismarck ◦ Iron Chancellor◦ First social welfare system

Required age of 65 to receive government pension

The Second Reich World War I

◦ Versailles Peace Treaty of 1918 Germany had to pay reparations to certain countries

it caused damage to in the war

Damages were valued at 132 million Marks $442 billion in 2012’s money

Economists, especially Maynard Keynes, saw this as excessive and knew it would doom Germany’s economy

The Second Reich The Depression of 1930 only worsened

Germany’s economic situation◦ Political turmoil occurred, groups vied for power

◦ National Socialist Party came to power

◦ Chancellor Hindenburg asks their leader to create minority government

◦ Hitler creates minority government and Germans see him as a source of stability

◦ Hitler ushers in the Third Reich (1000 year)

Modern Germany Modern Germany began after the Allies took

control in 1945◦ Democratic government◦ Labor unions

Marshall Plan◦ Aided war ravaged Europe rebuild their

economies◦ First time in history this occurred

Modern Germany Germany’s economy strengthens

◦ More exports per capita than U.S. and Japan

◦ Extensive regulations have pushed German companies into other nations (small and medium size firms)

◦ Germany scored 15 on individualism This is very high much like America

Symphony Germans Love symphonic music

Germans believe the symphony is symbolic of their culture ◦ Individuals likes and dislikes are subordinated for the

greater good

West Germany has a population of 66 million and has more than 80 orchestras

Some of the world’s greatest composers are German◦ Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, Bach, Beethoven

Symphony Many Germans play musical instruments as

a hobby

Music is an integral and a serious part of life

Collective experience that enriches life

Diversity of the Musical Instruments

Characteristic feature of the Germans = multiplicity -Prince Metternich

Many different ethnic and religious groups

Most diverse city: Frankfurt

Different ethnicities◦ Germany rarely united, marked by division◦ East and West Germany united on October 3, 1990

Both people of Germany and musical instruments of the symphonic orchestra come from many different countries and cultures

The Force of Immigration Primary force

Many foreigners moved into Germany:◦ After the first unification in 1871◦ After the construction of the Berlin Wall◦ With the end of the Cold War in Europe

Immigrant Percentages:◦ Germany: 8%◦ United States: 12%◦ South Africa: 2.3%

Geographic Variation The area of the former East Germany now

accounts for around 30% of Germany

Around the size of Montana

Integration of East and West Germany has been challenging◦ High costs◦ High unemployment

Diversity within the Nation South

◦ Sunny, warmer climate◦ Mostly Protestant

North◦ Colder climate◦ Mostly Catholic

Diversity – Musical Instruments & Geography

Creation of complexity◦ Incorporating more diversity into the new nation◦ Adding musical instruments in the symphonic

orchestra

Positional Arrangements of the Musicians

4 sections:◦ Strings◦ Woodwinds◦ Brass◦ Percussion

Maximize the musical instrumentation Improve the quality of the sound

German Society Very crowded

◦ Germany: 230.5 residents/sq. km.◦ United States: 31.7 residents/sq. km.◦ South Africa: 41 residents/sq. km.

Compartmentalized◦ Affection for privacy and respect for others

The home separates one from the outside world

Christmas Traditions Germany

◦ The privacy and security of the home is valued especially during this time

◦ Gemutlichkeit strongly prevails Translation: “as ‘comfort’ or ‘coziness,’ but it has

wider connotations – of the hearthside and deep content, of home cooking and family security”

South Africa◦ An “out-of-door” day◦ Most time spent on the beaches, rivers, and

mountain slopes

Home as Haven A getaway from the stress of work

Personal status is less threatened

Homes are very protected◦ Fences, walls, hedges, solid doors, blinds, shutters

Front yard rarely used

Homes are kept very clean

Doors are kept closed

Physical Distance Germans prefer to keep more distance

South Africans aren’t as distant◦ Several greeting styles◦ Most common: shake hands, maintain eye

contact, and smile

Formality in German Culture

Formal behavior at home◦ Value privacy/distance

Formal behavior at work◦ Family names rather than first names when meeting

new people

◦ “Du” (familiar “you”): family/close friends only

◦ Coworkers are colleagues, not friends (vs. U.S.)

◦ Distinct line between close friends & acquaintances

German Formality Continued

“Dr.” title limited to PhD/medical degree holders◦ Nazi-era law, “title abuse” illegal

Politeness to strangers/acquaintances◦ Restrained gestures/no smiling ◦ Maintained eye contact to show paying attention◦ Distant/stiff appearance, but friendlier later

German Business Practices Life/Business Compartmentalization

Value of Hierarchies◦ “Ladder of Success”◦ Importance of Executive offices

Status markers: office size, personal secretary outside Office inseparable from/extension of personality Importance of closed doors

Physical Space Norms◦ Germans stand farther apart than North Americans◦ Insulting to move chairs closer to manager’s desk

German Business Practices Continued

Germans More Risk-Averse◦ Less comfortable with strange situations◦ Doing job properly takes time, planning◦ Analyze projects/business opportunities deeply

before committing

Formality/ Physical Distance ◦ Younger Germans less formal in interactions◦ They revert to formal behavior once they begin

working full-time

German Leadership Perspectives

Historically, charismatic leaders not effective◦ Exception: Adolf Hitler

Germans respond to visionary leaders◦ Delegate responsibility in hierarchy◦ Frederick the Great

German culture still idealizes his leadership style

Low Power Distance, High Uncertainty Avoidance

German Leadership Pros

◦ Subordinate participation◦ Fewer organizational levels in companies

Cons◦ Difficult for executives to make decisions ◦ Rigid hierarchy◦ E.g. Daimler-Chrysler merger, 1997◦ Board of directors law

Perhaps the most critical feature of the symphony◦ Everything must be done perfectly◦ Everyone must be willing to participate within the

boundaries of the performance

Solo time is very short for the greater good of the orchestra◦ Symphonic performers must willingly subordinate their

individual selves to the greater good

Germans tend to be individualistic ◦ Individualism in Germany vs. individualism in the US or

Sweden

Precision and Synchronicity

Conscious of time and how to allocate it efficiently◦ No such thing as “free time”

Sharp distinction between work and leisure◦ Prefer for time to be used rationally and efficiently

Tardiness is frowned on

Meetings and negotiations are long and tend to have well-marked stages

Precision and synchronicity also tend to influence communication

Business Rules

Communication◦ Low context◦ Tend to use a deductive way of thinking that relies on past

history and theory vs Anglo-American inductive styles that tend to use cases and examples to back up an argument

Words should mean exactly what they are intended to mean◦ “I’ll call you for lunch.”◦ “Let’s have dinner.”◦ John Cage and his revolutionary production of 4’33’’

South Africa◦ Prime vacation times◦ Meetings begin with small talk; then move to business◦ Agendas are not as rigid

Business Rules

Verb tends to be at the end of a sentence

Main point is made at the end

Like classical symphonies, meetings tend to start slow, can last for hours, and build to a climax

In business, as in music, sound, tone, modulation, and timing are key to a successful performance

Attire and dressing◦ More conservative than Americans◦ Fashionable but don’t take away from the matter at hand

South Africa◦ Most common business language is English◦ White South Africans prefer plain-speaking, while the black culture

stresses diplomacy

Communication Styles

Begins with the grundschule or elementary school

Students assigned to 3 different types of schools◦ Gymnasium, or academic school, for those that want to

pursue a university education◦ Realchule, or “real world” school; goes through grade

10◦ Hauptshule; students free to leave after grade 9

Today, more than 50% of Germans graduate from gymnasium

The Education System

One of the highest rates of public investment in education in the world

Three bands of education◦ General education and training◦ Further education and training◦ Higher education and training

South Africa Education

Germany maintains a military force structure

Service to the country is widely accepted

This service translates into a message of unity

A Pattern of Order

Old traditions unite German population

Thousands of festivals every year

Karneval aka “Mardi Gras”

Oktoberfest

German Festivals

Looking for a new identity

“Du bist Duetschland”

Changes in German Culture?

Germany will continue to emphasize the characteristics of the symphony

The Unfinished Symphony

Ireland

Irish Conversations Three Pillars of Irish Culture

1. Language Irish language (Gaelic language) is increasing in importance

2. Rural Heritage Declining Rural Heritage especially in and around Dublin Crime, drug use, and other urban ailments are now prevalent

3. Catholic Church “The Catholic Church no longer has the power and prestige

that it flaunted and exercised for generations.”

Irish Conversations Identifying Links:

◦ Ireland culture still reflects village-like perspective

◦ Four Major Cities: Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway

◦ 1970: 60% of workforce was employed in agriculture Today = 7%

Irish Conversations Intersection of Gaelic and English

Languages

◦ Intense love for conversation and storytelling

◦ English Language Used in ways not found in any other culture Creating a vivid mental picture, pleasing to the mind

and ear Originating from the imaginative story telling

Irish Conversations Irish Writers

◦ Ireland has produced many prominent essayists, novelists, and poets

◦ This prominence reflects the intersection of Gaelic and English languages

◦ Creative and wildly imaginative styles of writing Pleasing to many different cultures and types of people

Irish Conversations Irish Music

◦ Distinctive sound and approach to music

◦ Influenced by classical Irish dances and long dialogues

◦ Irish music represents their style of living Relaxed and slow moving approach to life Fun loving environment sparks conversation and

develops friendships

Prayer as Conversation One of the most important parts of Irish life

>90% Roman Catholic◦ Regular Sunday Mass attendance 44%◦ Most Irish hospitals are run through the church,

partially state-funded but often staffed with nuns◦ State-funded school system but schools are

usually run by local clergy

Many Irish begin and end their day with prayer

Irish Hospitality Irish are generally very friendly and trusting

National greeting translates to “one hundred thousand welcomes”

Great love of conversation – long, spirited◦ Follows tangents

Not satisfied with superficial conversations◦ Love discussing religion and politics in public

Rural Irish usually leave doors unlocked◦ Passers-by often invited in for meals

South African Conversations

11 languages officially recognized by South African government◦ English is the language of commerce

Multiple cultures

Business communication is fairly informal

In general, South Africans enjoy conversation◦ Avoid controversial topics

-- http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/etiquette/doing- business-south-africa.html

Irish Places of Conversation

Family Dinners◦ Kids share about school

Education viewed as very important◦ Extended family, friends, and neighbors

Weddings and Wakes◦ Wakes: Parties held to say goodbye to the dead◦ Weddings: Big church weddings followed by a

huge celebration

Places of Conversation Pubs

◦ Popular gathering place for men, women and children

◦ Young and old mingle Respect for elders

◦ Irish do not believe in drinking alone

◦ Good pub conversation viewed as more important than a good drink Storytelling, recitation, public readings, heated

arguments

Ending a Conversation Irish tend to have the last word

Hofstede’s research◦ Masculine-oriented◦ Not acquisition-oriented

Balance between “being” and “doing”◦ Individualistic regarding conversation and opinions,

collectivist regarding family and religion

Creative and stubborn

Optimistic and challenge-accepting

Stephen, the mad Irishman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkI4LDf6

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