Mar 20

Holi Cultural Festival Celebrations around the World

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

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

© istockphoto.com/f9photos

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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Jul 13

London 2012 Olympics Scheduled during Ramadan – Cultural Faux-Pas?

Cross Cultural Training, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector No Comments »

London’s Mayor and Culture Secretary are working hard to ensure that the London 2012 Olympics involve all of Britain’s ethnic groups equally. This may be more challenging than they thought, however, as the Olympics fall during the important religious event of Ramadan. Thousands of Muslims who will compete in, work or volunteer at this summer’s Olympic events will be left with the question on whether or not to follow Ramadan in the traditional sense this year.

The timing could not have been more inopportune, but there was no real choice for the LOCOG (London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games) to schedule the 2012 Olympics outside the Ramadan period. Being provided a strict window for the Games to take place by the International Olympic Committee and the need to consider aspects such as public transport in London and the availability of volunteers needed, they decided to schedule the Olympics from 27 July to 12 August, which lies in the middle of Ramadan.

Quran Koran Retrovizor i London 2012 Olympics Scheduled during Ramadan – Cultural Faux Pas?

© istockphoto.com/Retrovizor

The religious fasting period of Ramadan takes place this year from 20 July to 20 August. The period of Ramadan changes by about eleven days every year according to the lunar calendar. The 30 day long period of fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, considered to be a time of worship and closeness with God and therefore one of the most important celebrations for Muslims.

As most Muslims strictly fast from dawn until dusk during this period, the impact of Ramadan on personal and professional spheres must be acknowledged – not only in Arabic countries. The Olympics being a huge multicultural and multi-ethnic event will therefore require cross-cultural sensitivity towards this religious tradition and how it may impact everyone involved in the games.

Influence on Athletes

There are an estimated 3,000 Muslim athletes who may be impacted by Ramadan during the games this year. Fasting during the Olympics is not only inconvenient and challenging, but depending on the type of sport it could deplete an athlete’s liver and muscle glycogen stores and lead to dehydration and a drop in performance.

As Muslim athletes are usually allowed to defer their fasts, many of them are going to postpone the fasting period to maintain the performance they have been working so hard for during the last years. Not all Muslim sportsmen and women will do this, however, especially if not fasting during the holy month is frowned upon in their culture, so it’s important to be conscious of this.

Influence on Staff and Fans

Although the athletes are the ones which are most obviously influenced by the clash of these two important events, we cannot forget about the enormous number of Muslims who will work or volunteer at the Olympics or be watching the games as spectators. Organisers will need to consider the requirements they have for praying and eating during this period and provide the time and space they need to carry out these religious traditions.

What are they doing about it?

In order to meet athletes’ and workers’ Ramadan needs, organisers are putting in place a series of initiatives including:

  • Fast-breaking packs with dates and other traditional foods
  • Open dining facilities 24 hours a day so that competitors will be able to eat before dawn
  • Prayer rooms at every venue with Muslim clerics on hand to assist people
  • Large multi-faith centre at the Olympic village in Stratford with a common lounge and specific areas for the five largest faiths

The Olympic Games are a true test of London’s well-known multiculturalism and cross-cultural sensitivity. This great event will determine whether organisers have been able not only to make the most of London and its people but whether they can create an environment where all athletes will be able to have outstanding performances. All of this must be done with minimal frustration and difficulties to the organisers, athletes, volunteers and spectators as well as to the general population of London.

Some may argue that the organisers of the Olympics have made a cultural faux-pas by scheduling them during such an important religious event celebrated around the world. It should instead be considered as a cultural opportunity – a time when we can allow all cultures and traditions to shine in the face of adversity and challenge.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2012

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May 30

Living and Working in the UK: Celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

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After the worldwide celebrated royal wedding of Kate and William last spring, 2012 is again marked by the presence of monarchy in British society. This weekend the UK, together with people all over the world, will celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee .

Anyone living and working in the UKwill definitely have noticed the upcoming excitement and anticipation of the Diamond Jubilee, not only because of the highly appreciated extra bank holiday on 5 June but because of the surrounding preparations that have been taking place all over the country over the last few weeks. In London, many museums have put together special exhibitions on Queen Elizabeth II and stores have filled their shelves with memorabilia representing the Queen and this momentous occasion.

But why is everyone making such a fuss over this event? How will people living and working in the UK celebrate this special day in royal history?

Flag uk Matt Trommer i1 Living and Working in the UK: Celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

© istockphoto.com/Matt Trommer

National Pride

The United Kingdom is one of the very few countries that still has royal involvement in the government and many Brits are quite proud of the traditions and presence of the monarchy in British society. The Queen of course is a central figure of this pride and the fact that she is celebrating a jubilee of 60 years of reign is a really rare and special milestone of her reign. After Queen Victoria, she is the second longest serving monarch in Britain and the oldest one to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee.

Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

The Jubilee year is marked by a series of visits and engagements throughout the Kingdom and the Commonwealth Realms by the Queen and members of the Royal Family. The celebrations will culminate this weekend, starting with the Queen’s attendance at the Epsom Derby on Saturday 2 June.

On Sunday 3 June the Big Jubilee Lunch is an occasion for people to share lunch with neighbours and friends in the form of a traditional street party or picnic lunch in small or large groups. At high water on Sunday afternoon the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant will involve a flotilla on the Thames of up to 1,000 boats from across the UK, Commonwealth and all around the world. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will travel in the Royal Barge, which will form the centrepiece of the flotilla.

The celebrations continue on Monday 4 June with the BBC Concert at Buckingham Palace and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Beacons – 2,012 beacons lit by communities throughout the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Commonwealth.

The Diamond Jubilee weekend will end with a day of celebrations in central London on Tuesday 5 June with a service at St. Paul’s Cathedral, two receptions, a lunch at Westminster Hall, a Carriage Procession to Buckingham Palace and finally an appearance on the balcony and a flypast by the British armed forces.

Millions of people are going to celebrate the Jubilee in the UK and especially in London, which will definitely impact public transport and be a good test for the upcoming Olympics. The expected overcrowding is one reason why many people see this long four day weekend as an opportunity to get away from the crowds and relax. Others, particularly younger people, may decide to avoid the celebrations out of a disinterest in the Queen and the Royal Family.

Commercial Opportunity

With tourists coming to the UK and local people travelling to other parts of the UK, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee represents a welcome commercial opportunity for British tourism and the jewellery and giftware industries. Special memorabilia in the form of Diamond Jubilee pins, stationery, china, cookies, chocolate, bags and other fashion items can not only be found in souvenir stores and corner shops but in every supermarket. People are also stocking up on food and drinks for their planned street parties which will take place all over the UK in small and large communities so supermarkets will see financial benefits as well.

Anyone living and working in the UK should be aware of how these memorable days of celebration will influence your plans, whether you make use of the extra bank holiday to get away or if you take part in the celebrations. Whatever you do, enjoy the surrounding preparations and discussions about this momentous occasion as it doesn’t happen very often!

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2012

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Feb 22

UK Ranked Worst Place to Live in Europe – Is It Really That Bad?

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management 1 Comment »

According to the uSwitch.com Quality of Life Index in September 2011, the UK was rated the worst place to live in Europe. This Index calculates the quality of life of 10 European countries using factors such as cost of living, income, hours of sunshine, life expectancy, culture and working hours.

Although some may argue that bad weather makes living and working in the UK difficult, it is unfortunately not the only reason why the UK lags behind. In fact much of this poor ranking is down to the high cost of accommodation, public transportation and fuel which overshadow the UK’s high incomes (ranked 4th in the study). These factors combined with the higher number of hours workers spend in the office, fewer days off and a later retirement age all lead to the argument that the UK is the worst place to live in Europe.

London Skyline ferrantraite i4 UK Ranked Worst Place to Live in Europe – Is It Really That Bad?

© istockphoto.com/ferrantraite

The 2011 urban riots that shook the country and confirmed the idea of a ‘broken society’ put the finishing touches to this negative image of living and working in the UK. For some there is no wonder why the country is becoming less attractive to expats. According to the HSBC Expat Survey 67% of the expats living and working in the UK believe that the economic situation in the country has worsened over the past few years.

But is living and working in the UK that bad? What happened to the legendary British ‘Home, sweet home’? We should not be too pessimistic. Last year International Living magazine published its 2010 annual ranking of the world’s best places to live in and the UK dropped to 25th place falling behind former communist countries such as the Czech Republic and Lithuania. However the UK was ranked 7th in the same study in 2011 which is quite a positive change.

Besides many recent economic difficulties, living and working in the UK does come with other challenges. Expats should understand British culture in order to successfully fit into British society. For example, a key British behaviour that some expats struggle to understand is indirectness. People in the UK are often perceived to be very polite and have an indirect way of communicating. They don’t always say what they mean, answers are often ambiguous and many rely on non-verbal communication such as facial expressions to understand other people’s reactions or perceptions. This can be difficult to interpret without an understanding of British communication styles.

Living and working in the UK also requires an understanding of British business culture in order to operate successfully in the UK work environment. The typical flat structure of many organisations in the UK can be confusing for many foreign newcomers. First names are often used, employees have great responsibilities and managers tend to act more as coaches than as authoritarian leaders. This combined with the importance placed on results and performance can be stressful for international workers who don’t anticipate and have the skills to manage the challenges they may face when living and working in the UK.

Even if some argue that the UK is becoming less attractive to expatriates, its colourful cultural and historical background combined with its dynamic innovations and increasing diversity make it a great place to live. With the many events taking place in 2012 such as the Queen’s Jubilee and the London Olympics, it will be interesting to see whether expatriates and residents will improve their opinion of the UK as a place to live and work.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2012

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Dec 01

Living and Working in the UK: Harnessing the Best of British Culture

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Every culture has a unique set of stereotypes that have been formed and reinforced throughout the years and the UK is no exception. Even in some of the most popular guides Britain and its population are presented in such a way that confirms what many consider as typical British peculiarities. Anyone living and working in the UK however should be aware that many of these cultural stereotypes are not always true in every situation.

Westminster Graeme Purdy i Living and Working in the UK: Harnessing the Best of British Culture

© istockphoto.com/Graeme Purdy

The UK does not always have a very good reputation abroad. Brits are often seen as a mass of overweight people with a terrible sense of humour and the inability to cook good food. Some believe that Brits will never skip their sacred afternoon tea ritual which is usually followed by a simple dinner such as fish and chips or a greasy meat pie. Many think that these meals are usually eaten in local pubs, accompanied by a pint of beer, and followed by scenes of public drunkenness.  While many Brits enjoy having a cup of tea or evening meal out in the pub, the idea that they do these things every single day is indeed a cultural stereotype that has been built up over generations.

Some stereotypes and perceptions of Brits are more neutral and positive. For example Brits are well known for their British values of fair play and keeping calm in the face of adversity. These attitudes of honesty, equality and calmness are ever present in many British behaviours, but not more so than in the “art of queuing”. Brits are well known for their ability and need to queue, whatever the situation. In fact the need to respect and master this art of queueing is considered so important in British society that understanding how to queue properly has been included in the new citizenship tests immigrants have to take.

One book that looks closely at British behaviours is Watching the English: the Hidden Rules of English Behaviours by Kate Fox. In this anthropological study of the English population, Fox traces behavioural rules that seem to govern every aspect of English life. There are chapters about how Brits behave at work, in the pub, on the bus and at home. She also looks at how Brits talk, what they talk about, how they dress and many other social topics.

Through her research Fox identified what she calls a social “dis-ease” that governs every aspect of British behaviour. She argues that there is a constant awkwardness, embarassment and clumsiness that characterises any kind of British social interaction. Although Fox’s book might be perceived as an exaggeration and reinforcement of many British stereotypes, it can be an extremely useful resource for people who have never had much contact with Brits.

Whether or not you have had some contact with British culture, be aware of the many cultural idiosyncrasies and underlying values that will impact how your British counterparts think and behave. For example, when living and working in the UK, it can be very beneficial to understand British irony and humour which plays a big, although very implicit, role in communication that can often go unnoticed.

Knowing how to approach your British counterparts and build relationships with them will help you to ensure that you avoid any cultural faux-pas or wasted time. Reading books like that written by Kate Fox is one way of improving your understanding of British culture. This combined with a cross cultural training course such as Living and Working in the UK will help you to ensure that you effectively break down and interpret the many stereotypes that exist about British culture so that you react appropriately in any British context.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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Nov 03

Bonfire Night: An Essential British Experience for Anyone Living and Working in Great Britain

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Every year on 5 November people in Great Britain celebrate Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night. Anyone living and working in Great Britain should be aware of this tradition as it can be a great opportunity to experience local culture and socialise with friends and family. Understanding British customs and traditions can also help you to more effectively integrate into British society and establish better working relationships with your British counterparts.

Fireworks ludwig wagner i Bonfire Night: An Essential British Experience for Anyone Living and Working in Great Britain

© istockphoto.com/Ludwig Wagner

So what is Bonfire Night and how is it celebrated? Bonfire Night commemorates the events of 5 November 1605 which are sometimes also referred to as the Gunpowder Plot. The protagonist of these events was a man called Guy Fawkes who was part of a group of English Catholics who were unhappy with the protestant King. Guy Fawkes, Robert Catesby and a group of other Catholics started plotting the King’s assassination.

On the night of 5 November the conspirators attempted to kill the King by placing some explosives under the House of Lords. Their aim was to kill the King as well as many other members of the monarchy and government. One of the most active participants in this murder attempt was Guy Fawkes who was responsible for guarding the explosives in a cellar under the House of Lords. The plan was foiled and Guy Fawkes was caught in the cellar. After being tortured for several days, he confessed and was then executed.

On that same night in 1605 people set bonfires alight to celebrate the King’s survival. This tradition has been respected ever since and people all over Great Britain and in some Commonwealth nations like New Zealand and Australia celebrate this day with bonfires and fireworks. In addition to bonfires and fireworks, some will make “guys” – effigies of Guy Fawkes made out of old clothes and newspapers that will then be burnt in the bonfires.

Another tradition observed on this day is the State Opening of Parliament. Ever since these events of 1605, the King or Queen will traditionally only enter Parliament once a year on 5 November. Before the event, the cellars of the Palace of Westminster are inspected by the Yeomen of the Guard to assure the monarch’s safety and commemorate and celebrate the historical event.

Being aware of traditions and customs like this can help anyone living and working in Great Britain to understand the culture. Attending a cross cultural training programme like Living and Working in Great Britain will provide you with all the information you need about British customs and traditions like Bonfire Night as well as other useful information on British social and business culture.

So if you are living and working in Great Britain be sure to take part in one of the events going on in London or other cities in Great Britain this weekend.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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Apr 28

Living and Working in the UK: Celebrating the Royal Wedding

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Unless you have been living in a cave for the last few months, you will be very aware that the biggest event this weekend is the Royal Wedding of William and Kate.  While the international media are putting this news as a priority, how is the event actually impactingliving and working in the UK?

If you are living and working in the UK you will have already noticed that the royal wedding has been in the daily news for several months now.  The biggest magazines, newspapers and news channels are devoting lots of their programmes and articles on the events surrounding the wedding.  The royal wedding is such an important event that it is has been declared a national holiday in the United Kingdom.  But why is everyone making such a fuss over this event?  How will people in the UK celebrate this special day in royal history?

iStock 000006666248Medium 425x283 Living and Working in the UK: Celebrating the Royal Wedding

© istockphoto.com/Matt Trommer

National Pride

England is one of the very few countries that still has royal involvement in the government and many Brits are quite proud of the traditions and presence of the monarchy in British society.  Broadcast around the world, the royal wedding will be an excellent occasion for the British to show off their traditional heritage, customs and culture to the rest of the world.

Many Brits are showing enthusiasm for this wedding because William and Kate will be tomorrow’s King and Queen.  They represent a fresh and modern perspective for the British monarchy which many people welcome.  The fact that Kate doesn’t come from a royal family is another aspect of the wedding that attracts optimism as it is a reminder of the beloved Princess Diana.

Preparations

London is hosting the wedding so the last few weeks have been dedicated to preparations for the event.  Hundreds of flags have been hung in the street, the roads have been cleaned, the rehearsals have been getting tighter and the royal route has been getting safer with intense security checks.  London’s shops have been customised with British flags and images of the bride and groom.  Public institutions such as Transport for London have been promoting the event, inviting people to come to London and celebrate the marriage.  The preparations alone are a sign of how far the British will go to ensure that this event runs flawlessly, reflecting their efficiency, organisation and well-kept cultural heritage.

Celebrations

While thousands of Brits plan to attend the event in the streets of London around Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey in particular, millions of others will be watching the events on TV and enjoying the celebration with tea parties, street BBQs and picnics. Stores may be closed in the morning during the wedding events and then open later in the afternoon.

A Commercial Opportunity

The royal wedding also represents a great commercial opportunity for British tourism as well as for Londoners who have rented their flats, rooms or even sofas to tourists from around the world.  Gift shops are also taking advantage of the royal wedding and the many tourists it is attracting by selling special merchandise representing the royal couple.  From postcards, mugs and banners to more bizarre items like a jelly bean with an image of Kate in the texture, you can find just about anything with the royal wedding theme.  Other shops are celebrating the wedding by offering discounts and promotions on their products and services.

Mind the Gap

As millions of people celebrate the royal wedding, many Brits are actually running away from it.  Surveys suggest an impressive 60% of the English population will not be watching the celebrations and will instead use the extra day off as an opportunity to get away from the crowds and press.  Some have suggested that this disinterest is a result of a generation gap.  Many younger people are no longer interested in old English traditions and consider the royal wedding to be pompous, boring and not on the same wavelength as modern British society.

One of the biggest points of contention around the royal wedding is the financial cost this places on British society in these difficult economic times.  The Royal Family is an icon of luxury and wealth and the celebration involves an important financial investment that British citizens may not take well.  Many feel that the scale of this event is too significant during a time when many are struggling financially.

Whether you are for or against the royal wedding festivities, be aware of the general disruption this will cause to your life when living and working in the UK.  No matter what your take, the royal wedding will certainly be a topic of conversation when everyone returns to work after this long weekend, and discussions about the festivities may even replace classic British small talk around the weather so be prepared.

In the meantime, whether you are planning a celebration in honour of this momentous British occasion or an escape to avoid the crowds and festivities, enjoy this extra bank holiday.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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Dec 16

Living and Working in the UK – Research Shows Brits Take Most Sick Days in Europe

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources 2 Comments »

According to a recent article published on the HR review website, British workers are the European champion when it comes to taking sick leave. Not only do they take more sick days than their European counterparts, but one out of five of these sick days are not taken for a genuine illness. A high number of British and expat employees living and working in the UK confessed that they feigned illness in order to stay at home or to take care of a relative or friend.

Westminster Graeme Purdy i1 Living and Working in the UK Research Shows Brits Take Most Sick Days in Europe

© istockphoto.com/ Graeme Purdy

This trend costs the British economy approximately £2.5 billion a year and is a main concern for HR professionals. Some describe it as the main obstacle hindering the economic recovery of the UK. When asked about this phenomenon, half of the Brits surveyed admitted they would not take so many sick days if their working hours were more flexible and if “social days” and more bank holidays were offered on a regular basis like in other Europeans countries such as France or Spain.

So, is living and working in the UK that bad? What happened to the legendary and world-renowned British ability to withstand any type of challenges and difficulties? Do international assignees sent to the UK need to worry about working in British companies?

Indeed, living and working in the UK does come with many challenges. The importance of results and performance in a highly competitive market, the flat hierarchical organisation and the strong sense of responsibility put on each individual are just a few challenges that can induce a high level of stress and make things difficult for international assignees living and working in the UK. But are these challenges really what make British workers take so many sick days?

Some suggest that another key factor leading to this high number of sick days is the “pub culture” which remains really strong in the UK. Going out with friends or colleagues after business hours is still commonplace and is a great way to build relationships with British counterparts when living and working in the UK. This pub culture can lead to hangovers however and people calling in sick to work. This particular aspect of British culture is important for someone who wishes to socialise with his/her colleagues but knowing the possible consequences of this practice is crucial for anyone living and working in the UK.

Managers living and working in the UK or preparing for their international assignment in the UK should also be aware of this trend. Knowing these figures can help them to adapt their management style and motivate their team. Setting up strategies to make the most of motivation drivers in the UK can help international managers to reduce the amount of sick leave taken and consequently improve the efficiency of their teams.

Expatriates living and working in the UK also need to be careful about stereotypes or assumptions they make about British culture. The fact that British workers take more sick leave than other Europeans does not mean that they are lazy or unproductive.

Coping with some of these cultural challenges of living and working in the UK can take time and requires the right cross cultural training and intercultural knowledge. Cross cultural training for relocation courses like Living and Working in the UK can help you to adapt to British business culture and social life. These cross cultural training courses will provide a comprehensive set of cultural tools and strategies that will help any international assignee living and working in the UK manage their team and cope with employee sick leave and any other cultural difference they face.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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Jul 27

How Politeness Impacts International Business

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector No Comments »
Business People 9 Jacob Wackerhausen i2 How Politeness Impacts International Business

© istockphoto.com/ Jacob Wackerhausen

Each culture has a set of unique idiosyncrasies. In other words, behavioural traits which have grown out of historical experience. These traits are so engrained in the psyche of the culture that it can be difficult to explain their origins or why they are still followed years, decades or even centuries later.

Outsiders or international assignees entering a new culture may be perplexed by what they perceive as strange or unnatural behaviour. Without proper pre-departure cross cultural training and support which gives international assignees an understanding of the culture, these cultural idiosyncrasies will remain distant, unexplained oddities that can prevent the assignee from having a successful expatriation in the new country.

 

A good example of where cultural idiosyncrasies often baffle foreigners is the UK. People who are not from Britain often say that the country is obsessed with courtesy and good manners. The British way of communicating is peppered with politeness markers and their behaviour can sometimes be perceived as too conciliatory.

In fact, in the UK the most minor omission of a politeness marker such as ‘please’ or ‘thank you’ or the wrong word order in a sentence can cause offence. Failing to observe the queuing culture or asking a question too directly can leave people with the impression that you are rude or disrespectful. International assignees living and working in the UK must therefore have an understanding of the culture and these unique politeness traits if they want to communicate effectively with their British counterparts.

The intricacies of politeness in the UK are complex and mostly subconscious behaviours that are considered the norm. Politeness markers are often used with complete sincerity or pre-thought. Let’s look at an example where a man and woman approach each other in a busy corridor both carrying papers. As they pass in the corridor, the man bumps into the woman and knocks her, causing her to drop some of her documents. The man says ‘sorry’, which would be considered quite normal for many as he is the one who knocked into her. However the woman also apologises. This happens frequently in the UK, and often confuses those who are unaware of the culture of politeness.

Another example often cited by non-natives revolves around taking the bus. Most British have the habit of thanking the bus driver as they get off the bus. There is no real reason for doing this as the bus driver has to stop at the bus stop and let them off anyway, and most of the time the driver is behind a window which makes it difficult to hear them. Nevertheless, most British adhere to this cultural norm on a daily basis. In many cultures, people believe that because the bus driver’s job is to drive the bus and to let you off, they have not done anything special for you and therefore do not deserve a thank you.

These differences in expected courtesy also affect the way people convey certain messages in business. Being unaware of such discrepancies between what it is said and what it is meant can cause some problems, especially in the workplace. One common example of this is how British people often request tasks to be completed.

For instance, your manager might ask you ‘Would you mind finishing this piece of work by the end of today please?’. This can be perceived as a request to complete the job without much urgency while in fact your manager could really be trying to say: ‘Get on with it and finish it by the end of the day!’. This misunderstanding can often cause the employee to take a longer time than required. If this pattern persists it may well cause frustrations between manager and employees.

These are just a few simple examples of how politeness in the UK can be a confusing thing for many foreigners and how it can impact international business. By attending a cross cultural awareness training course such as Communicaid’s Living and Working in the UK or Doing Business in the UK, business travellers and international assignees can gain the cultural understanding they need to successfully communicate, build relationships and adapt to life in the UK.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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Jun 17

Living in the UK – Is this the end of the ‘Home Sweet Home?’

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture 1 Comment »

The latest Mercer Quality of Living City Ranking was published recently and it contains a major surprise: the only United Kingdom city in the top 50 is London, far behind other European countries like Germany which had seven cities in the top 50 and Austria which has the number one rated city Vienna. Even France did better with two cities (Paris and Lyon) being ranked 34th and 38th respectively. With such a disappointing result, some may wonder if it is indeed the end of the “Home Sweet Home” concept cherished by many British.

IMG 1469002 1024x636 Living in the UK Is this the end of the Home Sweet Home?

© Cora Malinak

Living in the United Kingdom is often challenging for newcomers who may find some of the cultural aspects of British culture confusing or difficult to understand. One of the best examples of this is the concept of the British ’stiff upper lip’ which is a term often used to describe the lack of emotions displayed by many British and their preference to maintain a level of formality and detachment in certain situations. This straight face and reserve can often be negatively perceived as cold and uninterested. In fact, it’s one thing that helped the British population get through many historical ordeals like the blitz during the Second World War.

Other cultural factors can get in your way when you are trying to settle in the UK such as the sense of humour. The use of self deprecating irony is common and something you will definitely need to get used to when living in the UK and making new contacts. The same applies for the fairly indirect British communication style which requires a higher level of attention to not only what is being said but also to the tone of voice and facial expression in order to effectively decipher their message.

The British Isles are also renowned for the diversity and vast array of people, landscapes and regional differences. Scotland’s landscapes are dramatically different from those in Southern England while there is a significant difference in the English accents of Birmingham and Belfast. This wonderful patchwork makes the British Isles an amazing place to live, full of diversity and new discoveries.

While having only one city in the Mercer Quality of Living City Ranking can seem disappointing to some, the United Kingdom can still be proud of having four cities ranked between the 53rd and 63rd positions, showing that living in the UK can be a great experience thanks to the many wonderful cultural and historical assets added to the overall quality of life in the country.

Regardless of the potential cultural challenges awaiting you, living in the United Kingdom can be a truly enjoyable experience. To fully appreciate British culture and to ensure you have a positive experience, however, it is vitally important that you understand the challenges awaiting you in the UK. Communicaid’s Cultural Awareness Training United Kingdomcourses like Living and Working in the UK can help you to identify and overcome the main cultural differences in the UK and develop appropriate strategies that will ensure you get the most out of your expatriation in the UK.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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