Culture is relative. People of different nationalities simply perceive the world differently. Each culture has its own notions of acceptable and unacceptable behavior.

Cultures also differ in their perceptions of physical space. We have our own sense of personal space and feel uncomfortable if others violate it.

rigid orientation to time in which the individual is focused on schedules, punctuality, time as a resource, time is linear, “time is money”.

represent a person’s judgments about what is good or bad, acceptable or unacceptable, important or unimportant, and normal or abnormal. Values are the basis for our motivation and behavior. Our values guide the development of our attitudes and preferences.

refers to the values, beliefs, customs, arts, and other products of human thought and work that characterize the people of a given society.

is a situation or event in which a cultural misunderstanding puts some human value at stake. Misunderstanding and miscommunication arise because people have differing values and expectations.

is the process of learning the rules and behavioral patterns appropriate to one’s society

is the process of adjusting and adapting to a culture other than one’s own

Culture comes from people’s social environment. No one is born with a shared set of values and attitudes. Rather, children gradually acquire specific ways of thinking and behaving as they are raised in a society. Culture is passed from generation to generation by parents, teachers, mentors, peers, and leaders. Modern methods of communication, including the media, play an enormous role in transmitting culture

are similar to opinions but are often unconsciously held and may not be based on logical facts. Prejudices are rigidly held attitudes, usually unfavorable and usually aimed at particular groups of people.

are ways of behaving and conducting oneself in public and business situations. Some countries are characterized by informal cultures; people treat each other as equals and work together cooperatively. In other countries, people tend to be more formal; status, power, and respect are relatively more important. Percep

can be letters, figures, colors, or other characters that communicate a meaning. For example, the cross is the main symbol of Christianity. National symbols include flags, anthems, seals, monuments, and historical myths. Symbols can represent nations, religions, or corporations, and they can help to unite people

are artifacts, objects, and technological systems that people construct to function within their environments

takes place in various ways, especially through lessons and behavior acquired from parents, family, and peers; participation in groups (social, business, and religious); and formal schooling. Literacy, the ability to read, is an important indicator of education level and varies substantially around the world.

refers to the pattern of social arrangements and organized relationships that characterize a society.

described as the expression or mirror of culture, verbal language is not only essential for communications, it also provides insights into culture

The world has nearly 7,000 active languages, including more than 2,000 in each of Africa and Asia. National languages, dialects, and translation tend to complicate

unspoken and includes facial expressions and gestures. In fact, nonverbal messages accompany most verbal ones. These include facial expressions, body movements, eye contact, physical distance, posture.

Religion is a system of common beliefs or attitudes concerning a being or a system of thought that people consider sacred, divine, or the highest truth and includes the moral codes, values, institutions, traditions, and rituals associated with this system.

he offered an insightful analysis of cultural orientations. In his view, a cultural metaphor refers to a distinctive tradition or institution that is strongly associated with a particular society. It is a guide to deciphering people’s attitudes, values, and behavior.

he is anthrologiest that classified cultures as low context and high context

rely heavily on spoken words and detailed verbal explanations. These cultures use specific, legalistic contracts to conclude agreements.

emphasize nonverbal messages and view communication as a means to promote smooth, harmonious relationships. They prefer an indirect and polite style that emphasizes mutual respect and care for others

refers to whether a person functions primarily as an individual or as part of a group.

each person tends to focus on his or her own self-interest, and ties among people are relatively loose.

ties among individuals are highly valued. The group is all-important because life is a cooperative experience

describes how a society deals with inequalities in power that exist among people

exhibit big gaps between the weak and powerful; in firms, top management tends to be autocratic, giving little autonomy to lower-level employees

have small gaps between the weak and powerful. Firms tend toward flat organizational structures, with relatively equal relations between managers and workers.

create institutions to minimize risk and ensure security. Firms emphasize stable careers and regulate worker actions. Decisions are made slowly

managers are relatively entrepreneurial and comfortable with risk. Firms make decisions quickly. People are comfortable changing jobs

refers to a society’s orientation based on traditional male and female values.

value competitiveness, ambition, assertiveness, and the accumulation of wealth. Both men and women are assertive, focused on career and earning money.

typical in the United States and most other Western countries

emphasize nurturing roles, interdependence among people, and caring for less fortunate people – for both men and women.

emphasizes the long view in planning and living, focusing on years and decades

describes the degree to which people in a society attempt to control their impulses and desires

allow relatively free gratification of their basic and natural human desires related to having fun and generally enjoying life