Culture

Culture is the collective personality of a nation or society that encompasses language, tradition, currency, religion, history, music, and acceptable behavior.

Culture is a very important consideration within the context of using information technology. Why? Because most businesses today are global businesses or what we refer to as transnational firms. When you operate internationally, you must consider the unique culture of those countries and regions in which you buy and sell goods and services. You certainly don't want to offend anyone.

Below are some interesting examples of cultural differences in this country and around the world.

• Not understanding local customs can cause BIG trouble
  For example, while in Indonesia, an American supervisor wanted a worker to speed up getting a boat ashore. He shouted at him to do so, and was subsequently chased by an angry mob of workers armed with axes. It was a hard way to learn the lesson that it's considered unacceptable to reprimand someone in public.
  
  
• Gestures are a way of communicating using the body instead of the voice. This type of communication is as clear and sometimes clearer than language. Just as there are differences in language among cultures, so there are differences in the meaning of gestures. Here are some examples.
• Thumbs Up:
• In the U.S. it indicates an approval gesture
• In the Middle East it's an insulting gesture
• In Japan it's a sign indicating "male"
• A raised hand and a waggling hand:
• In the U.S. says "goodbye"
• In India and South America it's a beckoning gesture
• In much of Europe it's a signal for "no"
• Handshake:
• U.S.: Handshake should be firm and strong.
• East Africa: Handshake is a light palm touch, with the fingers hardly bending.
• Morocco: People kiss the back of the hand they're shaking.
• Thumb and forefinger forming an "O":
• U.S.: Means "A OK" or good.
• Southern France: This gesture signifies zero, so the meaning is that the subject of the gesture is worthless.
• Sardinia: The "O" refers to a bodily orifice and is an obscene gesture.
• Gesture indicating that someone is crazy:
• Germany: Point the right forefinger to the forehead just above the nose. This indicates that there's a bird inside instead of a brain.
• England: Making a circular motion at the temple to indicate that things are spinning out of control in there.
• Japan: Making a circular motion in a counter-clockwise direction indicates that the person is crazy, but the same motion in a clockwise direction indicates that the person is intelligent.
• Insulting gestures:
• U.S.: Middle finger thrust upward aggressively.
• Britain: First two fingers thrust upward aggressively with the palm of the hand facing the body. (Not the victory sign where the palm faces outward)
• Italy: First and little finger form "horns" to signify the object of the insult being gored by a bull.
• Turkey: Whole arm, with clenched fist, thrust out aggressively.
• Head gesture for "no":
• Most of the world: Shake the head from side to side.
• Southern Italy: Toss the head backward.
• Head gesture for "yes":
• Most of the world: Nod up and down
• India: Moving the head from side to side (ear to shoulder each time) indicates agreement. The stronger the movement, the stronger the agreement. In most of the world, this gesture means "maybe".
• Bulgaria: Both of the above gestures are used.
• Gestures instead of speech:
• U.S.: Communication between football players and coaches and between players in the stock market
• Australian Outback: After a tribe member dies people don't speak for months as an act of mourning. They communicate with gestures instead.
• Touching a person's head
• In the U.S. demonstrates affection
• In Thailand is considered a major social transgression

• Lest you think that only those who are not native English speakers have funny signs, read some of the signs seen around England:
• Sign in a Laundromat: Automatic washing machines: Please remove all your clothes when the light goes out
• Sign in a London department store: Bargain Basement Upstairs
• On a church door: THIS IS THE GATE OF HEAVEN, ENTER YE BY THIS DOOR. This door is kept locked because of the draft (Please use other door)
• Sign warning of quicksand: QUICKSAND. Any person passing this point will be drowned. By order of the District Council.
• Sign on a repair shop door: WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING. (Please knock hard on the door - the bell doesn't work)

• Culture is not static. It changes over time. For example, here are some rules that women school teachers in the U.S. had to keep less than 90 years ago.
• You will not marry during the term of your contract
• You are not to keep company with men.
• You must be home between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless attending a school function.
• You may not loiter downtown in ice cream stores.
• You may not travel beyond the city limits unless you have the permission of the chairman of the board.
• You may not ride in a carriage or automobile with any man unless he is your father or brother.
• You may not smoke cigarettes.
• You may not dress in bright colors.
• You may under no circumstances dye your hair.
• You must wear at least two petticoats.
• Your dresses must not be any shorter than two inches above the ankle.
• To keep the school room neat and clean you must: sweep the floor at least once daily; scrub the floor at least once a week with hot, soapy water; clean the blackboards at least once a day, and start the fire at 7 .am. so that the room will be warm by 8 a.m.