Question

From an Australian perceptive, how would you brief your staff who is going to be communicating with Japan, Thailand and Singapore, what would you put into an information session for your staff regarding the information needed to know about how to communicate with someone from Japan, Thailand and Singapore? Taking into consideration their culture and custom.

Answer 1

Below are some of the points to keep in mind while communicating with people from Japan, Thailand and Singapore and these points would form part of the information session:

1. Talk with a lot of respect: These countries have a culture of giving a lot of respect to the people and you must also keep in mind not to insult someone while communicating with them, especially from these countries. They have culture of mutual respect for each other.

2. Take a small gift while you are visiting someone: It is important to take a small gift with you when you plan to visit homes of people belonging to these countries. They like these small acts of kindness and generosity and encourage that culturally.

3. Allow the most elder person of the group to pay bills: If you are sitting in a group having lunch or dinner, allow the most elder person of the group to pay. The elder ones feel that it is their responsibility to pay for the entire group since they are the senior most. Don't urge to pay yourself, otherwise it will be taken as disrespect for them.

4. Accomodate long work hours: People in these countries tend to work for longer hours than most of the other countries and if you plan to work from office, then make sure that you do not leave office on time. Rather you must sit for little longer than usual and leave with your companions as it is considered good to sit for long hours and work in these parts.