South Africa

Intercultural or cross-cultural communication and etiquette manners are fundamental elements required for all global and international business managers, executives, and employees. As global, multi domestic, transnational, multinational, and international businesses continue to expand their operations, the most fundamental element of a successful business operations is largely dependent on the business respect and appreciation for country, regional, and cultural differences, referred to as cultural diversity. For purposes of this assignment, this paper will focus on the country of South Africa and put into consideration the culture it entails, and the necessary cultural aspects a foreign business should look to address if it looks to venture into the country.

Source: InterNations: Navigating International Business Culture

Question 1

In general, South Africans react to strangers in a polite, tolerant, and reserved way. However, it is important to note that South African citizens are individualistic regarding their cultural traits. Nevertheless, they greatly emphasize on an individual’s obligation to community responsibilities (Tomlinson, 2008). South African society considers this an excellent way of having good quality to life as well as giving balance.

Question 2

The most common way of greeting in South Africa is the handshake. Notably, the handshake is supposed to be firm and accompanied by a sincere smile and direct eye contact. Furthermore, one should wait for an invitation before using the first name of another person. However, South Africans tend to move rapidly to a first name basis (Tomlinson, 2008). Women are the only people in the society who are considered normal to engage in friendly kissing on the cheeks when they greet each other. It is not normal for men to kiss on the cheeks when greeting.

Question 3

In South Africa, it is a common practice to greet people once one enters a room. In this case, greeting should include handshakes but this is dependent on the number of people in the room. If a handful of people are in the room, one is expected to greet everyone through a firm handshake and sincere smile. On the other hand, if the room has considerably many people or if it is too squeezed, then one is supposed to greet everybody in an audible voice from where they are standing.

Question 4

The South African community considers it necessary to introduce themselves to people they intend to relate to. However, one should wait for an invitation before using the first name of another person. Name introductions are often done on first name basis though it is also okay to introduce oneself by two names (Tomlinson, 2008). When doing business with many people, it is a hard task remembering the names of those one was acquainted with. Hence, a businessperson should look to keep a small notebook or store the names electronically. The names should be accompanied by the person’s professional attributes where possible (2008). Keeping these notes ensures that one does not mix up names of employees or customers. For business matters only, it is considered appropriate to inquire a person’s occupation or family. However, for other than business matters, it is not appropriate to inquire a person’s occupation or family.

Question 5

When relating to business matters, it is not appropriate to touch other people in South Africa. This aspect is considered necessary if the touching is formal and relates to the message being conveyed. Otherwise, the South African community values personal space, and touching normally occurs among people who are fond of each other.

Question 6

When invited to someone’s home, one is supposed to dress to the occasion. In this case, since business matters would be the issue, one is supposed to dress casually but in a presentable manner. In general, people in South Africa forward each other gifts for special occasions like birthdays, graduation, or Christmas. Therefore, this kind of situation does not culturally require one to bear gifts. However, one can feel obliged to carry with him/her gifts for presentation. For these kinds of visits, there is need for foreign business people to become culturally sensitive. One should avoid making jokes that target the host’s culture. The visitor should also refrain from making fun of the way of dressing or accent (Tomlinson, 2008). Not only would this amount to harassment but would also lead to the host avoiding to perform further business operations with you or your country.

Question 7

The South African culture bears few specifications over how one should sit and at which position. However, the few customs that exist maintain that the head of any business organization should sit at the most visible part of the room where the rest will able to see and hear him or her clearly. Normally, this includes a long desk designed to accommodate the entire panel to that particular meeting (Tomlinson, 2008). The rest of the attendants to these functions should sit in a presentable manner.

Question 8

The South African culture offers little distinction to other cultures concerning rude facial gestures and expressions. Nevertheless, concerning this cultural aspect, one should not give the notion of disapproval or discriminative facial expression to other members of the organization. It is considered rude to express disapproval emotions through facial gestures and expressions. The proper means, according to this culture, should involve keeping a composed attitude and facial expression, and anticipate the right moment to air one’s views concerning how he/she feels about the burning issue.

Question 9

The South African culture maintains that two or more people conversing should keep sufficient distance that facilitates clear vision and audibility. However, cultural ethics stipulates that people engaging in a conversation should try to avoid disturbing or distracting other people from their business duties in the organization or company. They should look to keep the conversation amongst themselves and involve others only when necessary.

Question 10

The attitude towards punctuality in South Africa is not as strict as other cultures maintain. In this case, business situations require that one avails himself or herself to the subject location by nine o’clock or the stipulated time (Tomlinson, 2008). In this particular situation, punctuality is emphasized since these matters are always important and delicate if delayed. On the other hand, social situations do not necessarily emphasize on punctuality. If guests do not arrive at the stipulated time, the occasion will still continue.

Question 11

The acceptable eye contacts require one to maintain direct eye contact for a couple of seconds before looking away when addressing someone else. Maintaining eye contact for a prolonged time will make the other person nervous and prevent him/her from encoding the message directed to him/her.

Question 12

Gestures that indicate agreement in the South African culture include nodding up and down, positive verbal expressions such as ‘yes’, as well as the thumbs up expression. However, the thumb up expression is normally used in informal situations rather than formal. Gestures that indicate disagreement include negative verbal expressions such as ‘no’. Other gestures include shaking the head sideways and the thumbs down expression. Similarly, the thumb down expression is normally used in informal situations.

Reference

Tomlinson, R. (2008). South Africa’s Business Culture: an extensive insight. Urban Affairs Quarterly, 23, 4, 487-510.