Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
longer with their present employer. France (86), along with
other Mediterranean countries, and Japan, rank the highest
in this category. Hong Kong (29) ranks very low, lower than
the USA (46) and the UK (35).
Long versus short-term orientation (LTO) involves the
importance attached to the future versus the past and present.
In long-term (future) oriented societies, pragmatism, thrift
and perseverance are valued more. In short term oriented
societies, normative statements, respect for tradition and
reciprocation of gifts and favours are valued more. China and
Japan and the Asian tigers score especially high here, with
Western nations scoring rather low. The USA (29) scores a
little lower than France (31) and the UK (31). Less developed
nations score the lowest.
While these results are categorised by country, usually
there is more than one cultural group within that country, and
they must get separate consideration. In these cases there
may be signii cant deviation from the study's result. A good
example is Canada, where the majority English-speaking
population and the minority French-speaking population in
Quebec have moderate cultural differences.
Still, Geert Hofstede's
dimensional analysis can assist
any business person or traveller
in better understanding the
intercultural differences within
regions and between counties.
It can also help explain why
people who travel widely and
live in different cultures adopt
difference perspectives on life
Connections with your
company's French branch will put you several steps ahead,
when you come to France to do business. You will have the
background of your old job for continuity and commitment.
The local ofi ce can help you with important connections
like work visas, ofi ce supplies, communication services and
transportation. But even with a French ofi ce as your helping
hand, don't expect to feel 'at home' in the beginning.
Shaking Hands
You will be expected to shake
hands with everyone when you
are introduced, remember their
names and titles, and shake
hands again at your departure,
saying Au revoir, Directeur Le
Blanc. You will be shaking hands
again at the beginning and the
end of each day, with everyone
in the offi ce. And you have sealed
no deals, yet!
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