May 07

A Question of Happiness – The Case of Germany

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According to the World Database of Happiness the average level of happiness of most European countries increased throughout the last decades.  People in Germany, however, are less satisfied with their lives than they used to be.  The fact that the German gross domestic product has constantly been growing illustrates that an increase in wealth does not necessarily result in people being happier.  This raises the question about what makes people in Germany happy and unhappy.  As this knowledge is the key to building effective and long-lasting relationships it is of high importance when doing business in Germany.

Happy businesswoman Neustockimages i A Question of Happiness – The Case of Germany

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When being asked what makes them happy the most common answer Germans give is “when the whole family is in good health” followed by “having a stable home”.  These two responses emphasise the fact that for Germans family life is highly important.  It is essential to be aware of this when doing business in Germany as it has a great impact on the way work life is structured.  The importance attributed to family life is mirrored in laws protecting the family and in the high number of mothers who give up work to look after their children.  Other common answers to this question show the importance of social contacts and job satisfaction for Germans.  It is, however, essential to bear in mind that Germans tend to keep work life and private life separated.  Their social life takes place once they’ve left the office and they don’t often spend their spare time with colleagues.

It is not only important to understand what makes Germans happy and unhappy but also to be aware of the existence of regional differences.  In general, people in western Germany are happier than people in eastern Germany and according to a recent survey the happiest Germans live in northern Germany, in Hamburg.  The highest per capita income in Germany, very good health and a low level of stress make people in Hamburg very happy.  The unhappiest Germans are said to be those living in Thuringia, in former East Germany, where the level of unemployment is very high and the per capita income low.
Yet, there is not only a geographic divide in regards to happiness but also a demographic one – gender, age and the level of education all correlate with happiness.  In general, young and well educated women are the likeliest to be happy.  As eastern Germany is confronted with the challenges of an over aging population and a lack of women this might serve as an explanation why the average level of happiness is lower than in western Germany.

The regional differences in regards to the German average level of happiness emphasise that the North and South of Germany and especially the East and West of Germany exhibit vast cultural differences.  Although Germany is no longer divided by a wall, the past still has an impact on everyday life in Germany.  Doing business in Germany requires an awareness of these differences.  Anyone who ignores these cultural characteristics and Germany’s past will find it almost impossible to build good relationships with German people who have a strong sense of regional belonging.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2013

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Apr 30

Do You Have What it Takes to be a Global Player?

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The global marketplace is an extremely competitive world where intercultural skills are no longer just an advantage but a requirement.  As companies increasingly ask their employees to work on a global scale to stay ahead of the game, they need to ensure they select people not only for their technical skills and international experience, but for their intercultural skills.

Globe 2dem10 i Do You Have What it Takes to be a Global Player?

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Employees who have extensive international experience will often have an increased awareness and understanding of other cultures and how they must adapt their style, but they may not always have the skills to adapt their style or cope with the cultural differences they encounter.  By providing employees opportunities to get international experience while at the same time supporting them with intercultural training, they will develop the intercultural competence required for international success.

So why is international experience so beneficial?  Whether through an international assignment, short business trip, training course or voluntary experience, international experience exposes people to different cultures and situations.  The more people interact, understand and integrate into other cultures, the more they will have opportunities to develop their intercultural skills and awareness.  A one-week holiday in Madrid with British friends might give you an insight into a different culture, for example, but it will not help you to develop the deeper skills and know-how to work effectively internationally.  A long-term international assignment in Singapore, on the other hand, will be much more valuable.

Toby Fowlston, Director of Commercial and Professional Services at Robert Walters, pointed out in an article by The Evening Standard that: “Overseas experience on a CV is seen as a definite positive by recruiting managers as it demonstrates a more rounded and broader knowledge”.  Employees with international experience bring with them a pool of potential new strategies, skills and perspectives which can add tremendous value to any global organisation.

Spending time abroad exposes you to different approaches to managing everyday matters in the social as well as the business sphere.  International experience alone will not give you intercultural competence however, so it is important that you actively keep an open-mind, ask questions and develop your understanding of the culture throughout the experience to understand the cultural differences at play and how they influence the business and social environments.

By combining international experience with intercultural training and an active curiosity about the culture, you can develop the following key areas.

Problem solving
Decision making, an integral part of problem solving, can be closely linked to hierarchy within a business.  Middle management tends to make decisions in flat hierarchy structures, while senior managers usually make decisions in top-down hierarchical structures.  Cultural attitudes towards hierarchy will influence how organisations are naturally structured and how people with seniority or experience are treated.  Regular exposure to other cultures through short-term visits or international assignments can help you to see different approaches and attitudes like how hierarchy impacts business so as to be better prepared to adapt your own problem-solving techniques when working internationally.

Communication
Some cultures prefer a direct communication style and use negative criticism as a means of constructive guidance.  In other cultures, quite the opposite is true and indirect communication involves consideration and moderation.  What is regarded as acceptable for some could be interpreted as inconsiderate and offensive by others.  There is no right or wrong to these styles as both clearly have their advantages and disadvantages.  International experience supported by intercultural training can help you to understand and appreciate different communication styles so that you can better anticipate any variation of approach, formality or directness in future global interactions.

Language
Fluency in a foreign language is a crucial skill that allows you to improve relationships and networking abroad, making you and your organisation more competitive in the global marketplace.  While English is the most common language of global business, it is important to understand your foreign counterparts’ language too where possible as not doing so can put you at a significant disadvantage.  If, for example, you are in conducting a meeting with some Chinese counterparts for the first time, you could lose power and credibility and even hurt your relationship if you cannot show an attempt to say a few key expressions in Mandarin.  While you will probably not be expected to speak it fluently, you can create enormous opportunities by showing an interest in the language and using it to build trust.

Intercultural competence is vital for anyone operating in the global marketplace.  It opens doors to new experiences, career opportunities and greater international performance.  The combination of international experience and an intercultural training course can solidify and enhance your ability to operate effectively on a global scale.  Through developed problem-solving, communication and language skills as well as cultural understanding and sensitivity, you will be more equipped to avoid cultural faux-pas and create opportunities where others may not be able to.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2013

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Apr 09

Why Gender Matters when Doing Business in Germany

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According to statistics provided by the European Commission, the percentage of women in leadership positions is only 13% in the 30 companies listed on the German stock index. The fact that the majority of university graduates are female emphasises that a lack of capable women is not the problem. Recent debates about the introduction of a gender quota to tackle the under-representation of women highlight the complexity of the issue and make evident which problems business women in Germany are confronted with.

Business Woman shaking hands i Why Gender Matters when Doing Business in Germany

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One of the most prominent opponents of a fixed gender quota is the German minister of family affairs, senior citizens, women and youth, Kristina Schröder, who believes that a fixed quota won’t solve the problem. In an interview given to the German news magazine Der Spiegel she argues for a flexible quota that companies set themselves and talks about a set of other measures to promote the number of women in high-rank positions.

Schröder, most prominently known for being the first minister to have a child and take maternity leave during her term of office, states the importance of adapting working conditions and changing laws to enable the combination of work life and family life. According to the minister, the main reason for women’s under-representation in leadership positions is the fact that senior managers are expected to spend up to 80 hours a week at work. Offering part-time positions as well as more flexible work schedules are two means of countering this problem. This is, however, not the only reason that holds women back. In a survey by the McKinsey Global Institute, lack of support from senior managers and missing role models are mentioned as other reasons.

One example of a change of law that improved women’s situation in work life in Germany is the so-called Elterngeld (parents’ money) that was introduced in 2007. It offers a financial incentive to take a break from work and have a child as up to 67% of the previous salary will be paid during the child’s first year of life. If the second parent also decides to take a break from work another two months will be covered by this payment. The introduction of Elterngeld has not only increased the number of high earners that have children but also the number of fathers that take time off from work to look after their offspring. Yet, as the average salary of a woman in Germany is about 22% lower than that of a man, it is in many cases still the cheaper and thus more likely option for the woman to stay at home with the child.

There are, however, not only financial reasons to take into account when thinking of having a child. When doing business in Germany it is important to know that many Germans hold prejudices against working mothers. The fact that the German government is currently debating the introduction of a child-care subsidy for parents who look after their children at home instead of finding a place in a crèche for them mirrors the convictions that many people hold in regards to childcare.

Increasing the number of women in leadership positions is not only a matter of fairness but is highly important in financial terms. The survey by the McKinsey Global Institute shows that an increase of the number of women in leadership positions has a positive impact on the financial performance of companies. This shows that it is crucial for Germany to support the promotion of women in order to fulfil their economic potential.

Doing business in Germany requires an awareness of the challenges female employees in the country are facing as these can have an impact on the business performance of the company as a whole. Promoting the advancement of female employees and giving them the chance to combine family and work life is essential as it ensures the company’s profitability. Intercultural training courses on German social and business culture can help anyone to understand the dynamics at play both for women and men in the workplace and at home. This understanding will help anyone doing business there to better anticipate any sensitivities and areas of opportunity to get more effective results.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2013

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Apr 05

“Fear and Trembling” – Tips for Doing Business in Japan

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Every culture has its own codes, values and work methods. These characteristics, which are often completely different from one culture to another, can create difficulties and misunderstandings which could jeopardise efficient business collaboration. Amélie Nothomb’s novel Fear and Trembling successfully depicts the dramatic consequences resulting from ignorance about cultural values of colleague or foreign counterparts.

Amélie Nothomb describes her expatriation to Japan and tells of how this experience becomes hell because of her ignorance about values and conventions of this other culture. Throughout the book, we notice several involuntary social and cultural mistakes which are not in accordance with Japanese culture.

Japan Chris Pritchard i “Fear and Trembling” – Tips for Doing Business in Japan

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Doing business in Japanrequires a really good understanding of the key principals of Japanese business culture. Here are some examples that you should keep in mind:

Wa: The word “wa” means “harmony”. This is one of the most valued principles of Japanese society. In business terms, ‘wa’ is reflected by avoiding self-assertion and individualism. It is absolutely necessary to preserve good business relationships, despite differences in opinion. When doing business in Japanit is also important to remember the effect of ‘wa’ on Japanese behaviour and in particular their indirect expression of ‘no’.

Kao: One of the fundamental values of the Japanese social system is the notion of ‘face’. Face is a mark of personal pride and forms the basis of an individual’s reputation and social status. Preservation of face comes through avoiding confrontations and direct criticism wherever possible. When doing business in Jap an, causing someone to lose face can be disastrous for professional relationships.

Omoiyari: ‘Omoiyari’ relates to the sense of empathy and loyalty encouraged in Japanese society and practised in Japanese business culture. In literal terms it means “to imagine another’s feelings”, therefore building a strong relationship based on trust and mutual feeling is vital for business success in Japan. For example, keeping in touch with your former Japanese colleagues or counterparts will help you if you ever need to work or collaborate with them again.

Hierarchy: Respect for hierarchy is an essential element of Japanese organisations. Junior members of the team respect their superiors and their elders. For example, the order in which people enter a Japanese board room or in which presentations are made, tend to be in decreasing order of importance. Showing the same values and respect when working in Japan is always greatly appreciated. Despite this, it is important to note that an individual considered to be “at the bottom of the ladder in the company” may be promoted if he gets good results.

Punctuality and Courtesy: Being late is often considered to be a lack of respect. A meeting is always planned in advance and it is common to confirm it by phone rather than by letter or email. When doing business in Japan, it is important to arrive five minutes early in order to start the meeting exactly on time.

Doing business in Japan requires a strict knowledge of Japanese cultural practices and conventions. An accidental faux pas could damage a promising trade relation and could thus represent a substantial loss for the company. Intercultural training on Japanese culture will give you the knowledge and skills you need to build trusting relationships with your Japanese counterparts and take full advantage of business opportunities in the land of the rising sun.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2013

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Mar 27

The Challenges of Living and Working in Inland China

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Although China’s 2008 Labour Contract Law seemed to make western investments less profitable at the time, the economic development of the country still generates new and attractive opportunities. According to a survey carried out by the European Chamber of Commerce and Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, 68% of the polled companies were considering new investments in the country.

Chinese businessman with cellphone Hfng i The Challenges of Living and Working in Inland China

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To date, the vast majority of China’s economic development has ocurred in the coastal cities. Places such as Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen are commonly known as first tier cities, according to population and GDP levels. However, rising production costs, fierce competition and the population ceiling have turned these cities into less profitable places for many companies.

Second tier cities, such as Chongqing or Heifei, whose growth rate almost doubles Shanghai’s 8.2%, began to offer better conditions after first tier cities hiked their organisational cost and struggled with energy, labour and land resources. However, China’s future development and the opportunities for those living and working in China are seen to be within its 3rd and 4th tier cities.

Moving Inland
While local markets were not the main attraction when foreign investors started setting up near the coast, new market conditions now apply. First tier cities account for less than 10% of the total population, whereas more than 300 million Chinese live in smaller cities that are continuously growing thanks to migration from the countryside in massive numbers.

Today, approximately 160 cities have reached populations of more than one million people, and the rise of the Chinese middle class is expected to increase by 200 million in 2020. Companies are recognising this and are starting to become more interested in the local market place. Easier access to inland markets together with the Chinese government’s tax incentives and cheaper production costs have caused many companies to relocate their facilities to 3rd and 4th tier cities.

The biggest beneficiaries are likely to be the provinces of Sichuan in the South East of the country, the central provinces of Anhui, Jiangxi and Hunan, and the northern provinces of Hebei and Henan. Names of cities such as Wuxi, Changshu, Datong, Foshan, Yichang, Shantou or Jinzhou will sound much more familiar to westeners in the near future.

The business opportunities are clear, but many challenges may arise when a company decides to invest money in China’s more remote locations and many factors need to be carefully evaluated prior to making decisions.

Challenging Conditions
First and even second tiered cities have already adapted to western needs making it easier for anyone living and working there. They offer a wide range of fast and comfortable transport, appropriate western houses, international schools or medical facilities, and most information is usually translated into English. The 3rd and 4th tier cities however have not yet developed their capacity for receiving international assignees so living and working there can be quite challenging.

An expatriate living and working in a more remote 3rd or 4th tier Chinese city will not only find many infrastructure-related difficulties or uninteligible languages, but also people that are not used to dealing with western counterparts. A wide number of cultural differences like hierarchy, confucian values, implicit rules, different judgments and perceptions about concepts such as safety, hygiene or corruption will surely arise and cause frustration both in the work environment and in the family sphere for the international assignee.

False Expectations?
Statistics show that China is the leading location for assignment failure. Expatriates living and working in China often mention problems of adaptation as a result of cultural difference, inadequate job performance and a different business culture, spouse dissatisfaction, standards of living, or simply culture shock, as the main reasons for resignations.

Many companies investing in China overlook these cultural issues and underestimate the damage that can be done by not supporting assignees through the adjustment phase. Where appropriate measures were not taken to ensure that assignees understood the culture and had the skills to manage the challenges, both time and money were lost. As a result, investments in inland China can become a real risk rather than an opportunity if relocated personnel are not provided with specific support.

Intercultural training courses like Living and Working in China can provide international assignees and their families with the knowledge and tools to adjust more effectively to their new location, no matter what tier the city is. A better understanding of the local culture can be really meaningful not only to avoid frustration and low output, but also to help relationship building, credibility and independence in the new location, enabling assignees to make the most of their experience living and working in China and generate the expected benefits for them and their companies.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2013

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Mar 20

Holi Cultural Festival Celebrations around the World

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As winter comes to an end and the month of March begins, excitement and anticipation is brought to the Hindu population of India; this is when the Holi festival starts. The word ‘Holi’ derives from the word ‘hola’, which is a thank you to the Almighty for the harvest. This is why Holi is celebrated as winter ends and the Spring Harvest begins.

People of all ages celebrate Holi by throwing coloured powder at each other’s faces, smearing coloured water everywhere, dancing under water sprinklers and having parties. Originating in India several centuries before Christ, Holi has now become a global festival, celebrated by thousands all around the world every year. This is because despite Holi being a Hindu festival, all cultures and religions are allowed to participate as it represents a single and global value: life.

Holi Festival Colours f9photos i1 Holi Cultural Festival Celebrations around the World

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Anyone living and working in another countryshould be aware of Holi and the impact that it may have on social and business life. While most people focus on how Holi is celebrated in countries like India with a large Hindu population, here are a few unique examples of how this beautiful cultural festival is celebrated in other places around the world.

Los Angeles

In Los Angeles, Holi is celebrated in a similar way to the traditional festivities in India, but it tends to revolve more around music and the arts as opposed to the religious context of Indian Holi. Along with what is known in LA as ‘Colour Throws’, there are also bands playing, yoga classes, mantras, dances and cuisine. The festival takes place at Excelsior High School in Norwalk, Los Angeles. Even though the Los Angeles Holi is very much a different festival from the Indian Holi, the organisers of the festival, the Utah Hari Krishna Temple, are very aware of the importance of the Holi tradition. They believe “The colour, noise and entertainment that accompanies the celebration of Holi bears witness to a feeling of oneness and sense of brotherhood.”

Berlin

No official Holi festival had been celebrated in the whole of Europe until July 2012 when Berlin decided to bring the colourful and joyful event to Germany. Held in METAXA Beach, the Berlin Holi festival maintains the Hinduism roots of Holi and like Los Angeles, it adds an arts and music twist to the traditional festivals celebrated in India and other Hindu countries. Up and coming Indian DJs are invited to play during the festival as well as professional Hindu acrobats and dancers, both incorpo-rating the original values into their festival. Berlin is no longer alone as three other German cities, Munich, Dresden and Hannover, held Holi festivals which were attended by over 25,000 people. This year Holi is planned to be celebrated in 12 German cities including Dortmund, Essen, Frankfurt, Karlsruhe, Leipzig, Leverkusen, Mannheim, Saarbrücken and Stuttgart. All of these events are organ-ised in cooperation with the official Indian tourism office and have the support of the Indian Embassy in Berlin.

Cape Town

In the shadow of Table Mountain, the Grand Parade hosted Holi on 2 March this year. The open air atmosphere, described as ‘magical’, attracted over 10,000 people. Local DJs played and there were hourly colour throws. Like the other festivals, the organisers kept the values from the original Hindu festival. The success of the Cape Town Holi celebrations has now encouraged other South Africans to set up their own Holi festivals so next year there are celebration plans afoot in Johannesburg and Durban. Interestingly, Durban is the largest ‘Indian city’ outside of India, which promises a spectacular Holi to be hosted there.

In summer 2013 there will also be a large Holi Festival celebration held in London following on from the popularity and success in other countries and major cities. So if you are living and working in the UK, don’t miss out on the occasion to dive into a vibrant element of Indian culture and join a celebration close to you.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2013

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Feb 01

Fortune Favours the Brave, but Global Leaders Need to Prepare

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As international companies face steadily increasing challenges from players in emerging economies, how can they ensure that they remain competitive? “Looking beyond the obvious: Globalization and new opportunities for growth”, a report from key business experts at Ernst and Young (EY), provides insights and recommendations on this topic.

In short, globalisation is changing; companies must understand the consequences and adapt to operate successfully in a world market, and global leaders who thrive at creating and leading culturally diverse teams will find greater long-term success by adapting their global mind-set accordingly.

Business People walking urbancow i Copy Copy Fortune Favours the Brave, but Global Leaders Need to Prepare

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In the wake of the economic downturn in established markets such as Europe and the US and the slowing down of growth in emerging markets such as the BRIC countries, global organisations are operating in a world of increasing complexity, interdependency and risk. This environment requires businesses to become more resilient, and experts agree that business leaders need to be brave and consider the opportunities to be found in a growing number of emerging yet unpredictable markets.

So what has changed for leading organisations tackling growth in the globalised world? The EY report highlights that a shift has occurred in the relationship between the established markets and the emerging economies. An increasing number of companies from the latter group have now grown to rival long-established organisations on the world market – and across many sectors.

Examples abound in many countries. In Chile, LAN Airlines recently acquired TAM (Brazil) creating Latin America’s largest airline Latam Airlines Group. In South Africa, MTN Group has become Africa’s largest mobile operator. It has 183 million subscribers and licenses in 21 countries across Africa and the Middle East. In 2011 alone, about 60% of its revenues originated outside South Africa.

Key trend indicators also point to technology and the flow of ideas as the biggest game changer in the globalised market. Mindray is a case in point; they are China’s largest medical-equipment manufacturer and generate more US patents per revenue dollar than many global leaders. More than half its revenues of $900 million were generated overseas.

Another key trend is the steady increase in the flow of capital and finance out of emerging economies. Companies across countries as diverse as Indonesia, Mexico and South Africa are seeking to expand into the global market, and now have the capital to acquire businesses in established markets such as the UK, France or the US.

The global market is diversifying, and in order for companies to remain competitive, the need for their leaders to adapt in a rapidly changing global environment becomes paramount. Global leaders will benefit not only from an increased awareness of culture’s key drivers and their impact on doing business in other countries, but more importantly from adopting a fresh mind-set towards developing relationships with colleagues and contacts in a changing global market.

 

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2013

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Dec 21

Christmas Carols around the World

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With Christmas just around the corner it’s time to ‘jingle bells’ and ‘deck the halls with holly’. This festive period comes with different trimmings around the world, but there is one tradition that has relevance across many continents: the Christmas Carol. If you are travelling this Christmas period, be sure to brush up your cultural sensitivity and learn some of the traditions of Christmas carols around the world.

Christmas Carols MKucova i1 425x284 Christmas Carols around the World

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The history and origin of Christmas Carols can be traced back thousands of years to pagan songs that were sung at the Winter Solstice in Europe. These songs were sung in a lively and joyful manner and gradually came to be known as carols, meaning songs of praise and joy. While there is some overlap with Christmas Carols around the world, many cultures have their own unique traditions in how and what they sing.

Greece and Cyprus

In Greece and Cyprus children go out on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and Epiphany Eve with metal triangles and sing the relevant folk song for the current festival. The general format of these carols is to sing about the feast and offer praise to the women and man of the house, their children and the household. There is usually a request from the children for a treat and a promise to come back the next year for more well-wishing. The oldest known carol, commonly referred to as ‘Byzantine Carol’, is linguistically dated to the beginning of the high middle ages. Internationally known carols such as Silent Night and Jingle Bells are also sung in Greek translation.

Australia

In Australia the tradition is to sing carols by candle light during the weeks leading up to Christmas. This tradition was first started in Melbourne and then spread to other cities where similar events are held. The carol-singing events are usually arranged by churches, municipal councils or community groups and are normally held on Christmas Eve or the Sunday or weekend before Christmas Day.

Poland

The Polish word for Christmas carol is ‘koleda’ and it comes from the Latin word ‘calendae’ meaning the first day of the month. Carols in Poland date back to the fourteenth and fifteenth century and are mostly anonymous. They started as hymns to be sung during mass at church but they quickly became something that people also sung in other places. The most beloved Polish koleda include “Gdy sie Chrystus rodzi “(When Christ is Born), “Lulajze Jezuniu,” which is a lullaby to Baby Jesus, and “Przybiezeli do Betlejem” (The Shepherds Arrive in Bethlehem).

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom Christmas Carols play a key role in the tradition of Christmas. In cities, towns and villages people of all ages gather to sing Christmas carols such as ‘The Little Town of Bethlehem’ and ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’. People often sing for charities to raise money but you will often find them singing in pubs or in the street at events to celebrate and enjoy the festive period. Churches in the UK often have carol services leading up to Christmas. The most famous carol service in the UK takes place at Kings College Chapel in Cambridge on Christmas Eve. The ‘Christingle service’ has become a much loved and popular service for children and their families. The centre of the service is based around explaining the symbolism of the Christingle, an orange with a candle, a red ribbon and sweets. The orange represents the world whilst the candle is to remind us of Jesus because Christians believe Jesus to be the light of the world. The red ribbon goes all round the ‘world’ and reminds Christians that Jesus died because it represents the blood of Jesus. The celebrations often include the singing of Christmas carols as well as prayers and performances.

Anyone living and working in other cultures should have a high level of cultural sensitivity to these traditions. Knowledge of the local traditions will help you to integrate more effectively into the social culture of your host country and help you to build relationships and fully embrace the festive period.

Enjoy the Christmas carols wherever you are and merry Christmas!

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Dec 05

Saint Nicholas – The Original Father Christmas

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In the run up to global Christmas festivities, the feast of Saint Nicholas can sometimes get overlooked but in some countries it’s even more important than Christmas Day.  The way this holiday is celebrated differs from country to country. Working effectively across cultures during this festive season in countries where Saint Nicholas is celebrated requires knowing more about the holiday and how it impacts business.

Sinterklaas sara winter i Copy Saint Nicholas – The Original Father Christmas

© istockphoto.com/sara winter

So who is Saint Nicholas and why is this holiday more important than Christmas in some places?  A very religious man, Nicholas lived in the 4th century and dedicated his life to serving God. While he was still a young man he was made Bishop of Myra which is now part of modern day Turkey.  He became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children and his concern for sailors and ships.  Saint Nicholas died on 6 December 343 and so he is now celebrated on this day in different ways around the world.

Here are a few examples of how Saint Nicholas is celebrated across cultures:

Netherlands

In the Netherlands the feast of Saint Nicholas is celebrated on the evening of 5 December.  This celebration is traditionally the primary occasion for gift-giving around the holidays.  In the weeks leading up to this evening, young children put their shoes in front of the fireplace and sing Saint Nicholas (Sinterklaas) songs.  Often they put a carrot or some hay in the shoes, as a gift to Saint Nicholas’ horse.  The next morning they will find a small present in their shoes, ranging from sweets to marbles or some other small toy.  On the evening of Saint Nicholas they will find a big bag in front of their door with many presents.  At work, colleagues may exchange small gifts in the lead up to and on the day of Saint Nicholas.  Christmas Day is typically a much quieter occasion and involves a nice family meal and possibly a church service.

France

Saint Nicholas in France is celebrated on 6 December.  According to a French myth, three children got lost in a forest and were found by a wicked butcher who then took them to his shop and hid them in a barrel.  Six years later they were rescued by Saint Nicholas, so in France they now celebrate the occasion by giving gingerbread men and small gifts on 6 December.  Saint Nicholas typically comes in the regions of Alsace, Lorraine and Nord-Pas-de-Calais and may be as well-known in other parts of the country.  In Saint Nicolas de Port, a French town named for Saint Nicholas and home to a large basilica dedicated to him, thousands of faithful come on pilgrimage on 6 December to celebrate with  festive music and a parade of beautiful floats.

Italy

In Italy Saint Nicholas is the patron of the city of Bari, where some believe he is buried.  Many say that the Basilica di San Nicola holds the remains of Saint Nicholas, brought over from Myra in Turkey.  Celebrations in honour of Saint Nicholas tend to take place between 7 and 9 May rather than December and are referred to as the Festa di San Nicola.  Saint Nicholas is also celebrated by giving small gifts to children on the morning of 6 December as well as a fair called Fiera di San Nicolo during the first weeks of December.  Depending on the cultural background of some families, this celebration is more important than Christmas.

Germany

In Roman Catholic areas of the southern parts of Germany, such as Bavaria, ‘Sankt Nikolaus’ is still pictured as a bishop with a flowing white beard and a bishop’s miter and staff.  He is said to appear in the company of Knecht Ruprecht (Krampus), ‘Knecht’ meaning ‘servant’.  Historically, Ruprecht was a dark and sinister figure who wore a tattered robe and carried a big sack on his back in which, as a legend says, he would put all naughty children.  Saint Nicholas will give well-behaved children sweets or small gifts to reward them for being good.  It is also common in Germany to have plays in schools and hospitals that depict the story of Saint Nicholas.  On the evening before Saint Nicholas Day, children put letters to the good saint along with carrots or other food for his white horse or donkey on a plate or in their shoes.

Other Countries

Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated in many countries that have been influenced bv Dutch, German or Ukrainian culture over the years.  In these places there are often festivals in churches which involve Saint Nicholas appearing to greet children, give instructions or encouragement and hand out treats.

Both the North American Santa Claus and the British Father Christmas are legendary figures whose attributes derive from the myths surrounding Saint Nicholas.  The name Santa Claus evolved from Saint Nicholas’ Dutch nickname, ‘Sinterklaas’, a shortened form of Saint Nikolas.

The way the festive period is celebrated around the world can significantly influence international business.  Showing an awareness of the cultural traditions that form part of these festive celebrations around the world will help you to make a positive impression when working effectively across cultures and build better relationships with your international counterparts.

Make sure you understand and respect the festive traditions of the country you are working in as this will reduce the risk of frustration and misunderstandings with your colleagues and help you to build better relationships.

Season’s Greetings!

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2012

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Nov 09

Movember – What’s in a beard?

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture No Comments »

The time has come once again when men around the world take a break from their clean shaven faces and for one month pursue the growing and grooming of that beloved form of facial hair, the moustache. The month of November is renamed ‘Movember’ all in aid of ‘changing the face of men’s health’. ‘Mo Bros’, as the male participants are called, grow moustaches to create more awareness for men’s health particularly prostate and testicular cancer. Originating in Melbourne, Australia in 2003 it has grown from 30 registrants in one country to over 800,000 registrants all across the world in 2011 making it a multicultural event.

Indian businessman 6 i Movember – What’s in a beard?

© istockphoto.com

Facial hair has had many different meanings throughout history and it has a rich, not to mention thick, curly and itchy history. When living and working overseas having an awareness of different views on beards and moustaches could help prevent misunderstandings and faux pas. Here are a few examples of differing cultures’ views on facial hair.

In ancient Egypt, beards were worn as a fashion statement. In ancient India beards were considered to be a sign of dignity and wisdom. Ancient Greeks considered beards to be manly and those not wearing beards were considered disgraceful. The ancient Romans, in contrast, considered beards to be a sign of laziness. Throughout the Renaissance and modern times, beards have fallen in and out of favour all throughout the world. Within history and within different cultures facial hair has been attributed with wisdom, knowledge or traps and vagabonds.

In Sikhism they believe that the beard and hair in general is given by God. Sikhs believe that God created the male body with hair therefore it is against his will to remove it.

Keeping beards in Hinduism depends on the Dharma that is being followed. The ancient text followed regarding beards depends on the Deva and other teachings, varying according to whom the devotee worships or follows. In the Dharma it is said that wearing a moustache is regarded as a sign of evil.

In Islam men are required to wear a beard because of the prophet Muhammad saying that men should grow their beards. Even the length of the beard can distinguish different Muslims, the longer beard being associated with Sunni and a closely trimmed beard being associated with Shi’a.

In the western world a moustache used to be a sign of stature but now is seen in an almost amusing way whereas a beard is often associated with being unkempt.

The views on facial hair vary hugely across cultures. In some countries facial hair is comical however in some its meaning is rooted in their key values and beliefs. A cultural awarenessof these differing views can help understand these meanings. However, Movember forms bridges across these differences and uses facial hair as a tool to gain attention of a serious cause through a potentially comical action. The international reach of this month-long event shows how people from all around the world can come together for a common cause, regardless on their culture or background.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2012

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