Western Culture

AWARE Center

Importance of understanding the culture

• Beliefs, values and norms• Traditions • Heritage

What do they consider important?

• Admire achievement• Practicality• Material comfort• Freedom • Individuality

Greetings

• Hand shake• Pat on the back (men)• Short, they don’t take long.

Body Language

• Limited hand movements• Just turn your head to look at someone, not

necessarily your whole body.• Keep eye contact – very important• Smiling• Personal space

Sign language

• Waving• Rude signs• V sign (peace / victory)• Thumb

Language

• English – many accents• European languages – (French, German,

Italian, Spanish etc)• British / Americans don’t talk loudly

Emotions

• Happiness• Grief

Gifts

• If you give them a gift they will open it immediately.

• If you give them a gift it can be something practical or personal (chocolates or flowers for women).

Invitations

• Westerners like to talk over dinner, taking a long time over a meal.

• Western parties are often standing all night making small talk with a drink and nibbles.

• Westerners usually pay for their own meal (going dutch) if u want to pay its better to state it when making the arrangements.

If visiting their home

• They will turn off the TV.• Offer you a cup of tea/coffee but if you

refuse they won’t insist to make you one.• You may only be given a cup of tea,

nothing else.• If they have pets (dogs) they may not shut

them in another room.

Visiting the sick

• Bunch of grapes / flowers• Only immediate family tend to visit the

hospital. Others may send a card.

Dining

• Table manners• Children are expected to sit still• Children ask permission to leave the table• Everyone stays sitting until everyone has

finished

Time

• Punctuality• Time is money

Rules

• Discipline• British follow the rules• Queues

Business

• Privacy. (They expect only people involved to be in the meeting)

• Interruptions. Put your mobile on silent if you cant switch it off. Don’t answer it during a meeting.

• Westerners like deals to be confirmed in writing.

How to gain their respect.

• Keep your word• Non personal questions• Don’t force food & drink• Speak with quiet voice, don’t shout across

the room• If you ask a question, wait for the answer

Sensitive Topics

• Politics• Religion• Age• Weight• Pregnancy• Personal Questions

End of part 1

Thank You