As we have studied previously, Japan and China’s business practices has changed their societies culture as a whole. Along with the increase of production being shipped to these two overseas countries, so did the increase of demand for international businessmen/woman. For example, the Japanese business people are depicted as very hard working, there mind is always on the job, and precise. These cultural norms that are found within the working place of Japan have been incorporating almost eentirely with how they handle business cards. “Recipients receive business cards with both hands at the beginning of introduction. The Japanese hand their card to the other person while also accepting the other persons.” (Mente) These precise procedures in business etiquette for the Japanese correlate very strongly with Japan’s overall cultural practices.
Just as the Japanese business card reflects the cultural that they have developed, so has the United States business card etiquette. As many would say we are very “relaxed” with comparison to other countries, and it is just as easily seen in the way we do business with business cards. With comparison to countries such as Japan, Russia, and Germany we have created one of the most relaxed cultures that does not give strict rules or procedures pertaining to how business should be run. This easy going culture of ours has found its way into the United States business card etiquette that we use with one another. We have no high expectations or specifications for the ways in which we exchange business cards beside providing a clean unused card. This in some ways allows for business interactions to become more of a casual meeting rather than a formal setting.
Many countries in the Middle East pride their culture on the religion that they practice. Judaism and Islam are strong religious practices of individuals residing in the Middle East which heavily impacts how business is shaped in those countries. For example, “the workweek in most muslim countries runs from Saturday to Wednesday or Thursday morning and prayers are said five times a day, during which time business stops.” (Business) Foreigner business men/woman must know and understand these cultural differences in order to respect their religious practices. Also, in many Middle East countries it is culturally and socially normal for women to rarely be seen, and if seen they are very heavily covered up. It is very clear that the culture of a country can drastically change the business manners and use of business card etiquette that is practiced. It is as though each country has embedded their social and cultural norms within the cards that business men and women carry out in the professional world today.
Sources:
"Business Etiquette in the Middle East -Alibaba Trade Forums." Fashion Trends on Alibaba.com. 4 Apr. 2008. Web. 23 Feb. 2011.
I like the idea of focusing on business cards themselves; it is very unique.
ReplyDeleteYour facts on the Middle East and the lack of women in the business field are most fascinating, however, because you’re focusing on business cards themselves I think it would be important to specifically talk about Middle Eastern peoples use of business cards, or lack of? Also, I think it would be very interesting to present the statistics of how many men are in business compared to women.
If you were able to find the statistics on comparing male to females involved in business within the Middle East it could be interesting, too if you compared those statistics to statistics of women in business in Japan and or the United States, given your facts about how Japan is much more “professional,” while the United States is, for the most part, very casual.
A few other questions to consider would be whether or not there is an age difference in the men and or women involved in business within these countries? Is it not socially appropriate to be involved in business without a business card? If a man or woman does not hold a card does this mean he or she is not a professional? These are all questions that came to my mind when thinking about business card etiquette.