French Family Values .

The family is the social adhesive of the country and each member has certain duties and responsibilities. . The extended family provides both emotional and financial support. . Despite their reputation as romantics, the French have a practical approach towards marriage. . Families have few children, but parents take their role as guardians and providers very seriously. 10 Useful words for Business Travelers Bonjour Madame / Monsieur / Mademoiselle (Hello Mrs./Mr./Ms.) Salut (Hi) Parlez-vous anglias? (do you speak English?) Merci bien (thank you very much) Je ne comprends pas (I dont understand) Comment dit-on ______ en francais? (how do you say ____ _ in French?) Oui / non (Yes/no) Pouvez-vous maider? (can you help me?) Ou est _____? (where is ______?) Pardon (excuse me) Business Etiquette . French business emphasizes courtesy and a fair degree of formality. . Wait to be told where to sit. . Maintain direct eye contact while speaking. . Business is conducted slowly. You will have to be patient and not appear ruffled by the strict adherence to protocol. . The French will carefully analyze every detail of a proposal, regardless of how minute. . Business is hierarchical. Decisions are generally made at the top of the company. . The French are often impressed with good debating skills that demonstrate an intellectual grasp of the situation. . Discussions may be heated and intense. . When an agreement is reached, the French may insist it be formalized in an extremely comprehensive, precisely worded contract.

Meeting Etiquette The handshake is a common form of greeting. Friends may greet each other by lightly kissing on the cheeks, once on the left cheek and once on the right cheek. First names are reserved for family and close friends. Wait until invited before using someone's first name. You are expected to say 'bonjour' or 'bonsoir' (good morning and good evening) with the honorific title Monsieur or Madame when entering a shop and 'au revoir' (good-bye) when leaving. If you live in an apartment building, it is polite to greet your neighbors with the same appellation. Table manners: . Table manners are Continental -- the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating. . If there is a seating plan, you may be directed to a particular seat. . Do not begin eating until the hostess says 'bon appetit'. . If you have not finished eating, cross your knife and fork on your plate with the fork over the knife. . Do not rest your elbows on the table, although your hands should be visible and not in your lap. . Finish everything on your plate. . Do not cut salad with a knife and fork. Fold the lettuce on to your fork. . Peel and slice fruit before eating it. . Leave your wineglass nearly full if you do not want more. Relationships - Public vs. Private . The French are private people and have different rules of behavior for people within their social circle and those who are not. . Although the French are generally polite in all dealings, it is only with their close friends and family that they are free to be themselves. . Friendship brings with it a set of roles and responsibilities, including being available should you be needed. Friendship involves frequent, if not daily, contact.

CHINA Business and Economy in China China is the world's fastest growing major economy and perhaps the most dynamic. Since 1978, when the country announced its opening up and reform policy, and began experimenting with capitalism and market forces, the country's economy has boomed. While growth has begun to slow sharply in 2008, after growing at close to 12 percent in 2007, China is a rising global economic power. Growth has been driven by exports and heavy investment in infrastructure and manufacturing. Coastal regions are powered by manufacturing, but state-owned companies continue to dominate the domestic economy, even though private entrepreneurs are beginning to thrive. In recent years, China has racked up a huge trade surplus with the rest of the world, particularly the United States and Europe, and has also accumulated over $1 trillion in foreign currency reserves. The country's stock market is troubled and volatile, though an increasingly powerful force. Widespread bribery and corruption are formidable challenges for companies doing business here. Intellectual property theft and counterfeiting are also persistent problems. Still, China has some of the world's most dynamic Internet companies, such as Baidu.com, Tencent and Alibaba.com, and a growing number of wealthy entrepreneurs and billionaires. Many of the world's biggest and most prestigious brands, such as Coca-Cola, Microsoft and Procter & Gamble are aggressively expanding their operations in China.

Cigarettes Men in China smoke. Smoking is good for business; how better to break the ice and establish common ground upon which to build a relationship than to exchange cigarettes? Women do not smoke; it is bad for them. Don't ask why smoking is good for men and bad for women, because in China it just IS, and if you want to start an antismoking or equal-smoking lobby on your own, good luck to you. If you are male, expect to be offered cigarettes as a preface to developing a friendly relationship. If you smoke, offer cigarettes yourself - doing so will endear you to your new Chinese friends; however, declining an offered cigarette isn't a big deal as long as you are gracious about it. Banquet You shouldn't be late. Dress is casual as always in China, but try to look nice and don't wear shorts. Dishes will arrive in turn, starting with the lighter dishes and ending with the heavy, starchy dishes (rice, noodles, and steamed buns). In between there will be much toasting and downing of beer or, if you're really unlucky, rice wine. When the banquet ends, everyone goes home - there is no after-dinner chit-chat. Sensitive Subjects As in any other country, if, while conversing with a local, he or she suddenly clams up, changes the subject, or feigns incomprehension, you can bet you've stumbled onto a forbidden topic. Dont push the matter or you may cause trouble for your Chinese friend as well as for yourself. It's best not to initiate discussions of religion or politics in particular. Greetings In China it is rude to call someone by their first name unless you've known them since childhood. In work-related situations people address each other by their title; in social situations "Mr.," Mrs.," and "Miss" are used; at home people often refer to each other by nicknames or terms of kinship. Remember, in China, the family name is first.

Customs Gift Giving Usually fresh flowers or fruit are your best bet (the number eight is considered lucky, so eight apples or eight oranges is a good idea). Guanxi (Connection or Relationship) is extremely important in China

 Chinese sometimes don't smile or exchange greeting with strangers. Smiling or being friendly to someone you don't know well is sometimes considered rude and too familiar. Bowing Unlike Japanese, Chinese do not necessarily bow to one another as a greeting, a parting gesture or an alternative to waving or saying "Hi." But they sometimes do. Bowing is generally reserved as a sign of respect for elders and ancestors, especially on special holidays. When Chinese bow they make a fist with their right hand and hold it in the palm of the left at stomach level and bow slightly too deeply depending on how much respect they want to convey. Touching In imperial times, visitors to the emperor were expected to drop to the floor and knock their foreheads on the floor nine times to show respect. Such kowtowing gestures are still displayed when Chinese worship at temples. Kowtowing is a powerful gesture reserved mainly for honoring the dead or offering deep respect at a temple. In the Cultural Revolution as a tool of humiliation against those who committed political crimes. Shaking The Chinese have traditionally not been big hand shakers but the custom is now widely practiced among men, especially when greeting Westerners and other foreigners. Sometimes Chinese shake for too long for Western tastes and have a limp rather than firm grip. A limp handshake is regarded as a gesture of humility and respect. When a Western man meets a Chinese person, especially a woman, he should wait for the other person to offers his or her hand first, before offering to shake hands.

Home Customs in China Unlike Japanese and Koreans, Chinese usually keep their shoes on when entering a house. More and more, though, Chinese are leaving their shoes at the door Japanese style. Unlike Japanese and Koreans, who spend a lot of time sitting on the floor, Chinese prefer chairs. Chairs were reportedly introduced the Mongols around 700 years ago. The first Chinese to sit in chair were noblemen who wanted to be higher than the people around them to show their superior position over the people they ruled. The preference for chairs goes hand in hand with wearing shoes in the house. Japanese and Koreans don't want to sit on a floor dirtied by people's shoes but if you sit in a chair it doesn't make as much difference if the floor has a little dirt on it. Most Chinese are happy to have tourists visit their home although they often embarrassed by their basic living conditions. Their best food and liquor are usually reserved for guests. House guests are expecting to bring a present. A bottle of imported whiskey or wine is usually a safe gift. Peking duck Peking duck is a famous duck dish from Beijing, enjoying world fame, and considered as one of Chinas national dishes. Peking duck is savored for its thin and crispy skin. The Sliced Peking duck is often eaten with pancakes, sweet bean sauce, or soy with mashed garlic. Visitors in Beijing also can relish other delicious delicacies, such as Mongolian hot pot, Bifengtang prawns and shredded potato.

United States of America The United States of America comprises 50 states and the federal district of Washington, D.C., each with its own geography, traditions and history. The largest state in the country is Alaska, and the smallest is Rhode Island. Thirteen states became part of the United States of America at its inception, while others entered the union at various stages of its history. Before the development of the electric guitar and the use of synthetic materials, a guitar was defined as being an instrument having "a long, fretted neck, flat wooden soundboard, ribs, and a flat back, most often with incurved sides". [1] The term is used to refer to a number of related instruments that were developed and used 12th century and, later, in the Americas Things you should remember when youre in US 1. Do not call black people Negro. They will feel contempt for his indemnity, as Negro mainly refers to Africa black slaves sold to the United States. 2. Do not ask personal income, assets etc private information. 3. Do not ask women marital status, age, and price of clothe etc private matter. 4. Do not give white lilies as gifts. Do not give presents with the company logo, as its obliged for advertising. 5. Do not casually take off your shoes or bare feet in front of others, which give people the impression of barbaric debauchery, as only in the bedroom, or between lovers to take off their shoes. So do not take off your shoes when visit an American house. 6. Do not pull garters or socks in front of others, which are considered impolite. If laces loose, find a quiet place to tie up. 7. Do not stick out the tongue to others, which is considered as rude, vulgar, obscene behavior. 8. Do not smoke in front of the others without consent. 9. Do not use or ask for toothpicks at a restaurant or at a guest home. Americans love their pretty teeth; they usually use dental floss, but rarely use the toothpick. 10. Do not be gaudy or do make up in public, which is thought to be bad nurture.

THE STATUE OF LIBERTY The Statue of Liberty in New York harbour was presented in 1884 as a gift from the French Grand Orient Temple Masons to the Masons of America in celebration of the centenary of the first Masonic Republic. She is holding the Masonic "Torch of Enlightenment", also referred to back in the 1700's by the Illuminati Masons as the "Flaming Torch of Reason". The Torch represents the "Sun" in the sky. The Statue of Liberty's official title is, "Liberty Enlightening the World". The cornerstone of the statue records how it was laid in a Masonic ceremony (see plaque photo above). THE TORCH SYMBOL Illuminati means to "bare light" one way to symbolize this is by carrying a torch. A torch sits on top of the Statue of Liberty, on top of JFK's grave, and on top of the tunnel where Princess Diana was killed. Bestselling author, Robert Bauval: "The cornerstone for the Statue of Liberty was placed in a solemn ceremony in 1884 organized by the Masonic lodges of New York. The Statue of Liberty, which was designed by the French sculptor Bartholdi and actually built by the French Engineer, Gustave Eiffel (both well-known Freemasons), was not originally a Statue of Liberty at all, but first planned by Bartholdi for the opening of the Suez Canal in Egypt in 1867. Bartholdi, like many French Freemasons of his time, was deeply steeped in Egyptian rituals, and it has often been said that he conceived the original statue as an effigy of the goddess Isis, and only later converted it to a Statue of Liberty for New York harbour when it was rejected for the Suez Canal." American music styles and influences (such as country, jazz, rock and roll, rock, hip hop, and rap) and music based on it can/could be heard all over the world. Music in the US is very diverse, with many influences, including heavy African American influence in the 1900s. Hip-hop and pop are very common in radio, however rock and country are frequently played on the radio as well. Different generations will often go thou different musical phases. The earlier 1900's is famous for jazz, introduced by African Americans in the south. In the 1970s and 80's, rock was very prevalent. There is variety of dance in the United States. Some examples include: swing dances such as lindy hop, hip hop dances such as breakdance, as well as square dancing.

Germany Meeting Etiquette . Greetings are formal. . A quick, firm handshake is the traditional greeting. . Titles are very important and denote respect. Use a person's title and their surname until invited to use their first name. You should say Herr or Frau and the person's title and their surname. . In general, wait for your host or hostess to introduce you to a group. . When entering a room, shake hands with everyone individually, including children. Business Negotiation English Hello Thank you. Can you help me? I don't like it. I don't understand. How are you? OK/Agreed. How much? Where is...? I don't know.

10 useful words German Hallo Danke Knnen Sie mir behilflich sein? Es gefllt mir nicht. Ich verstehe nicht. Wie geht es Ihnen? In Ordnung/ Einverstanden. Wie viel? Wo ist...? Ich wei nicht. Pronounciation Hal-lo dang-ker kern-en zee meer be-hilf-lixh ziyn ess ge-felt meer nixht ixh fair-shtay-er nixht vee gayt ess eenen in ord-noong/iynfer-shtan-den vee-feel voe ist.... ixh viyss nixht

. Do not sit until invited and told where to sit. There is a rigid protocol to be followed. . Meetings adhere to strict agendas, including starting and ending times. . Treat the process with the formality that it deserves. . Germany is heavily regulated and extremely bureaucratic. . Germans prefer to get down to business and only engage in the briefest of small talk. They will be interested in your credentials. . Make sure your printed material is available in both English and German. . Contracts are strictly followed. Business Meeting Etiquette

Economic Status of Germany Germany has a social market economy with a highly qualified labour force, a large capital stock, a low level of corruption, and a high level of innovation. It has the largest national economy in Europe, the fourth largest by nominal GDP in the world,] and the fifth largest by PPP in 2009. The service sector contributes approximately 71% of the total GDP, industry 28%, and agriculture 1%. The official average national unemployment rate in May 2012 was 6.7%.However; the official average national unemployment rate also includes people with a part-time job that are looking for a full-time job. The unofficial average national unemployment rate in 2011 was 5.7%.

. Appointments are mandatory and should be made 1 to 2 weeks in advance. . Letters should be addressed to the top person in the functional area, including the person's name as well as their proper business title. . If you write to schedule an appointment, the letter should be written in German. . Punctuality is taken extremely seriously. If you expect to be delayed, telephone immediately and offer an explanation. It is extremely rude to cancel a meeting at the last minute and it could jeopardize your business relationship. . Meetings are generally formal.

Malaysia Malaysian Food is not one particular distinction of food but a culinary diversity originating from its multi-ethnic population of Malay, Indian, Eurasian, Chinese, Nyonya and the Indigenous peoples of Borneo.

Economy in Malaysia Malaysia is though a small and rather open economy; it has great economic statistical prospects. For centuries, Malaysia has been a centre for trade and commercial activities. In the 17th century, items like porcelain and spices were found in several Malay states which were further used for trading purposes. When the British became the administrators of Malaya, Rubber and palm oil trees were also introduced for business reasons.

Language The indigenous languages of Malaysia belong to the Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian families. The national, or official, language is Malay which is the mother tongue of the majority Malay ethnic group. The main ethnic groups within Malaysia comprise the Malays, Chinese and Indians, with many other ethnic groups represented in smaller numbers. Customs Malaysia is a home to multi-cultural society, where several ethnic groups live together peacefully. Most of the population comprises aboriginal Malays while the other main groups being of Chinese and Indians.
Greetings- first impression is the last impression, follow phrase while meeting Malaysians. Smiling and nodding the head, is the simplest way to greet anyone, moreover there is no chance of getting trouble with such gesture. While any Muslim, you can do salam that requires fingers of your right hand to gently touch the heart. Fold your hands at mid-chest level, saying Namaste to greet any Hindu. To greet any malay-chinese, standard hand shake will do. Removing of shoes- if youve to go to someones private home in Malaysia, remember to remove your shoes outside. Shoes are not permitted homes and considered really disrespectful in case you do so. For mosque- while going to mosques consider in mind that youre going to a place of worship and disregarding their traditions is insolence to entire Islamic faith. Wear clothes that ensure your whole body is covered, including head. Exposed clothing is not bearable in Islamic faith. Use right hand- in Malaysia, always use your right hand to eat food. Even if youre handling food with knife and fork, use right hand for eating. For taking or giving anything too, try to use your right hand. Gift etiquettes- apart from using your right hand, always properly wrapped gifts. You must also ensure that the gifts are wrapped in cheerful colors like pink, red etc, never wrap gifts in black, white or blue. group meetings- if youve come in a group, the eldest or the most senior person should come forward to greet first and afterwards, the next level person should make a move. Dont shy or hesitate to start a conversation with a stranger, Malaysians like talking and meeting people from other countries.

Useful words let start off on a good note: Welcome to MalaysiaSelamat Datang Ke Malaysia. Good Morning- Selamat Pagi Good afternoon -Selamat tengah hari Good evening - Selamat petang Good night -Selamat malam Good bye- Selamat tinggal Jumpa lagi - see you again Yes- Ya (as in German yes) No - Tidak Thank you- Terima kasih (Thank you very much Terima kasih banyak banyak or in writing ribuan terimakasih) Please sit down - Sila duduk Please come in - Sila masuk Please - Sila Culture and Traditions An ancient art in Malaysia which continues to be extremely popular is the art of crafting the Wau, a large and colourful Malaysian kite. The name derives from the similarity of its wing to the Arabic letter pronounced wow. There are numerous types of wau, for example the wau merak (peacock kite) or wau kuching (cat kite). Pencak Silat, or fighting by using techniques of self defense. Sepak Takraw, or Kick Volleyball which has been popular in Malaysia since the early 1400s.

Singapore
Business Etiquette and Protocol . Business in Singapore is more formal than in many western countries. . There are strict rules of protocol that must be observed. . The group (company or department) is viewed as more important than the individual. . People observe a strict chain of command, which comes with expectations on both sides. . In order to keep others from losing face, much communication will be non-verbal and you must closely watch the facial expressions and body language of people you work with. Business Meeting Etiquette . Appointments are necessary and should be made at least 2 weeks in advance, whenever possible. . The most formal way to schedule a meeting is to write to the person concerned, although most Singaporeans will schedule an appointment by telephone, fax, or e-mail. . Do not try to schedule meetings during Chinese New Year (late January/early February), since many businesses close for the entire week. . You should arrive at meetings on time. Punctuality is a virtue. . There will be period of small talk before getting down to business discussions. . Since questioning authority is a taboo, it is important to encourage questions when after making a presentation and then smile when a question is eventually asked. . Presentations should be accompanied by backup material, including charts and figures. . Never disagree or criticize someone who is senior to you in rank as it will cause both of you to lose face and may destroy the business relationship. . Pay attention to non-verbal communication. Facts and Statistics Location: Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia Capital: Singapore Population: 4,353,893 (July 2004 est.) Ethnic Make-up: Chinese 76.7%, Malay 14%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4% Religions: Buddhist (Chinese), Muslim (Malays), Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Taoist, Confucianist The Language Singapore has attempted to promote a national identity in its land of immigrants since its independence in 1965. As part of this effort, Singapore has four national languages: Mandarin, Malay, Tamil and English. For business and politics, English is the language of choice.

Hierarchy .Singaporeans, claim they are an egalitarian society, yet they retain strong hierarchical relationships that can be observed in the relationship between parents and children, teachers and students, and employers and employees. . This goes back to their important cultural value, group dependence. . This reliance on hierarchy is drawn from Confucianism, which emphasizes respecting age and status, even blind obedience to one's elders. . In the workplace this is seen in the increased deference that is paid to employees who are older. . The elderly are always treated with the utmost respect and courtesy. . Even if you do not personally know the individual, you will be expected to give special consideration. . Elders are introduced first, are given preferential seating, are given the choicest food, and in general put on a pedestal. . There was a law passed in 1996 that mandated that children must assume financial responsibility for their elderly parents should the need arise. . This is indicative of the high status of the elderly and the challenges facing the small country as the next generation becomes more individualistic. Non-Verbal Communication . Singaporeans are group dependent and rely on facial expression, tone of voice and posture to tell them what someone feels. . They often trust non-verbal messages more than the spoken word. . They tend to be subtle, indirect and implicit in their communications. . They hint at a point rather than making a direct statement, since that might cause the other person to lose face. . Rather than say 'no', they might say, 'I will try', or 'I'll see what I can do'. This allows the person making the request and the person turning it down to save face and maintain harmony in their relationship. . Silence is an important element of Singaporean communication. . Pausing before responding to a question indicates that they have given the question appropriate thought and considered their response carefully. . They do not understand western cultures ability to respond to a question hastily and think this indicates thoughtlessness and rude behavior Etiquette and Customs in Singapore Meeting and Greeting . Greetings will follow a strict protocol often based on both the ethnic origin and age of the person. . Younger people or those who work in multi-national companies may have adopted the western concept of shaking hands with everyone, but this is not the case with older or more reserved Singaporeans. . Ethnic Chinese shake hands. Their grasp is rather light although the handshake itself can be rather prolonged. . Men and women may shake hands, although the woman must extend her hand first. Introductions are always done in order of age or status. . Between men, ethnic Malays shake hands.

Saudi Arabia DOING BUSINESS The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been rated as the 13th most economically competitive country in the world, according to the International Finance Corporation (IFC)World Bank annual "Doing Business" report issued for 2010. The report highlighted the rapid rate of economic growth among Middle Eastern countries, specifically Saudi Arabia, as a result of economic sector reform. For the fifth consecutive year, Saudi Arabia was ranked as the best place to do business in the entire Middle East and the Arab World. Since 2004, the Kingdom has advanced its overall Doing Business rankings, from 67th to 13th. A number of policy reforms to promote entrepreneurship are underway Investment Saudi Arabia has one stock exchange the Tadawul and its financial markets are regulated by the Capital Market Authority (Saudi Arabia). The stock market capitalization of listed companies in Saudi Arabia was valued at $646 billion in 2005 by the World Bank. SAUDI ARABIA CUISINE The same types of foods have been consumed by the Saudi Arabian people for thousands of years. Basic ingredients include wheat, rice, chicken, fava beans, yoghurt and dates. Saudi Arabia produces approximately 600 million pounds of dates annually. Per capita, Saudis consume the largest number of chickens in the world, at an average of 88.2 pounds of chicken per person annually. Lamb is served traditionally to guests and during holidays. ARABIC LANGUAGE Basics Yes: aiwa/na'am No: la Maybe: mumkin Please: min fadhlik Thank you: shukran youre welcome: afwan Excuse me: lo tismaH OK: tayib No problem: mafi mushkila Directions Address: onwan Street: shari' Number: raqam City: madina Here: hni There: hnak Next to: yam Opposite: gbal/mgabel

Behind: wara To: min

Greetings Hello: as-salam alaykum Hello (response): wa alaykum e-salam Goodbye (person leaving): ma'a salama Goodbye (person staying): alla ysalmak Good morning: sabaH ala-kheir Good afternoon: masa' al-kheir Good night: tisbaH ala-kheir Welcome: ahlan wa sahlan OR marHaba
ECONOMY OF SAUDI ARABIA SABIC The Saudi Arabian Basic Industries Corporation SABIC was established by a royal decree in 1976 to produce chemicals, polymers and fertilizers. In 2008, SABIC was Asia's largest (in terms of market capitalization) and most profitable publicly listed non-oil company, the world's 4th largest petrochemical company, ranked 186th as world's largest corporation on the Fortune Global 500 for 2009, the second largest producer of ethylene glycol and methanol in the world, the third largest producer of polyethylene and overall the fourth largest producer of polypropylene and polyolefin. Standard and Poor's and Fitch Ratings claimed SABIC to be the world's largest producer of polymers and the Persian Gulf region's largest steel producer for 2005 and assigned SABIC 'A' corporate credit rating. In 2008, Fortune 500 ranking records SABIC revenues at $40.2 billion, profits at $5.8 billion and assets standing at $72.4 billion Ma'aden (company) Ma'aden was formed as a Saudi joint stock company on 23 March 1997 for the purpose of facilitating the development of Saudi Arabias mineral resources. Ma'aden's activities have focused on its active gold business which has grown in recent years to include the operation of five gold mines: Mahd Ad Dahab, Al Hajar, Sukhaybarat, Bulghah, and Al Amar. Ma'aden is now expanding its activities beyond its gold business with the development of its Phosphate Project, Aluminium Project, and Other Projects

Trade
In recent years, Saudi Arabia sought to join the World Trade Organization. Negotiations have focused on the degree to which Saudi Arabia is willing to increase market access to foreign goods and services and the timeframe for becoming fully compliant with World Trade Organization obligations.

Japan
Japanese Economy The economy of Japan is the third largest national economy in the world after the United States and the People's Republic of China and is the world's second largest developed economy according to the International Monetary Fund, the country's per capita GDP (PPP) was at $34,739 or the 25th highest in 2011. Japan is a member of Group of Eight. Japanese economy can be fore-casted by Quarterly Tankan survey of business sentiment by the Bank of Japan. Japan is the world's largest creditor nation, generally running an annual trade surplus and having a considerable net international investment surplus. As of 2010, Japan possesses 13.7% of the world's private financial assets (the 2nd largest in the world) at an estimated $14.6 trillion. As of 2011, 68 of the Fortune 500 companies are based in Japan. As of 2005, one half of energy in Japan is produced from petroleum, a fifth from coal, and 14% from natural gas. Nuclear power in Japan makes a quarter of electricity production and Japan would like to double it in the next decades. Japan's road spending has been large. The 1.2 million kilometers of paved road are the main means of transportation. Japan has left-hand traffic. A single network of speed, divided, limited-access toll roads connects major cities and are operated by toll-collecting enterprises. New and used cars are inexpensive. Car ownership fees and fuel levies are used to promote energy-efficiency.

Japan is an archipelago of 6,852 islands. The four largest islands Honsh, Hokkaid Kysh Shikoku Together comprising about ninety-seven percent of Japan's land area, Japan has the world's tenth-largest population, with over 127 million people. Honsh's Greater Tokyo Area, which includes the de facto capital city of Tokyo and several surrounding prefectures, is the largest metropolitan area in the world, with over 30 million residents. Industry Japanese manufacturing is much diversified, with a variety of advanced industries that are highly successful. Industry is concentrated in several regions, in the following order of importance: the Kant region surrounding Tokyo, especially the prefectures of Chiba, Kanagawa, Saitama and Tokyo (the Keihin industrial region); the Tkai region, including Aichi, Gifu, Mie, and Shizuoka prefectures (the Chukyo-Tokai industrial region); Kinki (Kansai), including Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, (the Hanshin industrial region); the southwestern part of Honsh and northern Shikoku around the Seto Inland Sea (the Setouchi industrial region); and the northern part of Kysh(Kitakysh). In addition, a long narrow belt of industrial centers is found between Tokyo and Fukuoka, established by particular industries, which have developed as mill towns. Agriculture Only 12% of Japan's land is suitable for cultivation. Due to this lack of arable land, a system of terraces is used to farm in small areas. This results in one of the world's highest levels of crop yields per unit area, with an overall agricultural self-sufficiency rate of about 50% on fewer than 56,000 km (14 million acres) cultivated. Japan's small agricultural sector, however, is also highly subsidized and protected, with government regulations that favor small-scale cultivation instead of large-scale agriculture as practiced in North America.

10 useful words
Ohayou Gozaimasu Kon nichiwa Konbanwa Hai Iie Sayonara Ikura desuka Sumimasen Arigato Gumenasai Good Morning Good afternoon Good evening Yes No Goodbye How much is the item? excuse Thank you Sorry!

South Korea
Business Meeting Etiquette Appointments are required and should be made 3 to 4 weeks in advance. You should arrive on time for meetings as this demonstrates respect for the person you are meeting. The most senior South Korean generally enters the room first. It is a good idea to send both an agenda and backup material including information about your company and client testimonials prior to the meeting. The main purpose of the first meeting is to get to know each other. Meetings are used to understand a client's needs and challenges. They lay the foundation for building the relationship. Do not remove your jacket unless the most senior South Korean does so. Have all written materials available in both English and Korean.

History In the aftermath of the Japanese occupation of Korea which ended with Japan's defeat in World War II in 1945, Korea was divided at the 38th parallel north in accordance with a United Nations arrangement, to be administered by the Soviet Union in the north and the United States in the south. The Soviets and Americans were unable to agree on the implementation of Joint Trusteeship over Korea. This led in 1948 to the establishment of two separate governments, each claiming to be the legitimate government of all of Korea. Eventually, following the Korean War, the two separate governments stabilized into the existing political entities of North and South Korea. Ten useful words
1. Good morning, good evening and good evening -an nyong haseyo 2. Thank you -daedanhi kamsahamnida 3. Come in -dulooseyo 4. Sit down -anjuseyo 5. Im hungry -nanun baega kopumnida 6. How much? -olmaimnikka 7. What time? -myochshiimnikka 8. Cash -hyongum 9. How much is this? -olmaimnikka 10. How much is the trip? -biyongun olmana dumnikka Korean Society & Culture The family is the most important part of Korean life. In Confucian tradition, the father is the head of the family and it is his responsibility to provide food, clothing and shelter, and to approve the marriages of family members. The eldest son has special duties: first to his parents, then to his brothers from older to younger, then to his sons, then to his wife, and lastly to his daughters. Family welfare is much more important than the needs of the individual. Members of the family are tied to each other because the actions of one family member reflect on the rest of the family.

Meeting Etiquette o o o o Greetings follow strict rules of protocol. Many South Koreans shake hands with expatriates After the bow, thereby blending both cultural styles. The person of lower status bows to the person of higher status, yet it is the most senior person who initiates the handshake. The person who initiates the bow says, "man-nasuh pan-gop-sumnida", which means "pleased to meet you." Information about the other person will be given to the person they are being introduced to in advance of the actual meeting. Wait to be introduced at a social gathering. When you leave a social gathering, say good-bye and bow to each person individually.

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Italy
Location: Southern Europe, bordering Austria 430 km, France 488 km, Holy See (Vatican City) 3.2 km, San Marino 39 km, Slovenia 232 km, Switzerland 740 km Capital: Rome Climate: predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in south Population: 58,057,477 (July 2004 EST.) Ethnic Make-up: Italian (includes small clusters of German, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians and Greek-Italians in the south Religions: predominately Roman Catholic with mature Protestant and Jewish communities and a growing Muslim immigrant community Government: Republic Meeting Etiquette Greetings are enthusiastic yet rather formal. The usual handshake with direct eye contact and a smile suffices between strangers. Once a relationship develops, air-kissing on both cheeks, starting with the left is often added as well as a pat on the back between men. Wait until invited to move to a first name basis. Italians are guided by first impressions, so it is important that you demonstrate propriety and respect when greeting people, especially when meeting them for the first time. Many Italians use calling cards in social situations. These are slightly larger than traditional business cards Business Meeting Etiquette Appointments are mandatory and should be made in writing (in Italian) 2 to 3 weeks in advance. Reconfirm the meeting by telephone or fax (again in Italian). Have all your printed material available in both English and Italian. Hire an interpreter if you are not fluent in Italian. It is common to be interrupted while speaking or for several people to speak at once. People often raise their voice to be heard over other speakers, not because they are angry. Although written agendas are frequently provided, they may not be followed. Decisions are not reached in meetings. Meetings are meant for a free flow of ideas and to let everyone have their say.

Business Negotiation Allow your Italian business colleagues to set the pace for your negotiations. Follow their lead as to when it is appropriate to move from social to business discussions. Italians prefer to do business with high-ranking people. Hierarchy is the cornerstone of Italian business. Italians respect power and age. Negotiations are often protracted. Never use high-pressure sales tactics. Failing to follow through on a commitment will destroy a business relationship. Heated debates and arguments often erupt in meetings. This is simply a function of the free-flow of ideas. Haggling over price and delivery date is common. Decisions are often based more on how you are viewed by the other party than on concrete business objectives. In the north, people are direct, see time as money, and get down to business after only a brief period of social talk. In the south, people take a more leisurely approach to life and want to get to know the people with whom they do business. 10 Useful Words Good morning- Buongiorno Hello- Salve (formal) Hi/Goodly- Ciao (informal) Yes- Si No- No Mister- Signore Please- Per favore/Per piacere/ Per cortesia Thank You- Grazie Thank You very much- Molte grazie Youre Welcome- Prego! Excuse me- Mis scusi I dont understand- Non capisco Its nothing- Si figuri I dont speak Italian- Non-parlo bene I italiano

Government History The migrations of Indo-European peoples into Italy probably began about 2000 B.C. and continued until 1000 B.C., from about the 9th century B.C. until it was overthrown by the Romans in the 3rd century B.C. The Etruscan civilization was dominant by 264 B.C. all Italy south of Cisalpine Gaul was under the leadership of Rome. For the next seven centuries, until the barbarian invasions destroyed the western Roman Empire in the 4th and 5th centuries A.D. , the history of Italy is largely the history of Rome. From 800 on, the Holy Roman Emperors, Roman Catholic popes, Normans, and Saracens all vied for control over various segments of the Italian peninsula. Numerous city-states, such as Venice and Genoa, whose political and commercial rivalries were intense, and many small principalities flourished in the late middle Ages. Although Italy remained politically fragmented for centuries, it became the cultural center of the Western world from the 13th to the 16th century.

United Kingdom Meeting Appearance Etiquettes Business attire rules are somewhat relaxed in England, but conservative dress is still very important for both men and women. Dark suits, usually black, blue, or gray, are quite acceptable. Men's shirts should not have pockets; if they do, the pockets should always be kept empty. Additionally, men should wear solid or patterned ties, while avoiding striped ties. Men wear laced shoes, not loafers. Businesswomen are not as limited to colours and styles as men are, though it is still important to maintain a conservative image. Business Etiquettes
Always be punctual in England. Arriving a few minutes early for safety is acceptable. Decision-making is slower in England than in the United States; therefore it is unwise to rush the English into making a decision. A simple handshake is the standard greeting (for both men and women) for business occasions and for visiting a home. Privacy is very important to the English. Therefore asking personal questions or intensely staring at another person should be avoided. Eye contact is seldom kept during British conversations. To signal that something is to be kept confidential or secret, tap your nose. Personal space is important in England, and one should maintain a wide physical space when conversing. Furthermore, it is considered inappropriate to touch others in public. Giving of gifts are not required as part of doing business in England. A business lunch will often be conducted in a pub and will consist of a light meal and perhaps a pint of ale. When socializing after work hours, do not bring up the subject of work. When dining out, it is not considered polite to toast those who are older than yourself.

Government
The UK has a parliamentary government based on the Westminster system that has been emulated around the world, a legacy of the British Empire. The parliament of the United Kingdom that meets in the Palace of Westminster has two houses; an elected House of Commons and an appointed House of Lords. Any bill passed requires Royal Assent to become law. The position of prime minister, the UK's head of government, belongs to the Member of Parliament who can obtain the confidence of a majority in the House of Commons, usually the current leader of the largest political party in that chamber. The prime minister and cabinet are formally appointed by the monarch to form Her Majesty's Government, though the prime minister chooses the cabinet and, by convention, the Queen respects the prime minister's choices.

Economy
The UK has a partially regulated market economy. Based on market exchange rates the UK is today the sixth-largest economy in the world and the third-largest in Europe after Germany and France, having fallen behind France for the first time in over a decade in 2008. HM Treasury, led by the Chancellor, is responsible for developing and executing the British government's public finance policy and economic policy. The Bank of England is the UK's central bank and is responsible for issuing the nation's currency, the pound sterling. Banks in Scotland and Northern Ireland retain the right to issue their own notes, subject to retaining enough Bank of England notes in reserve to cover their issue. Pound sterling is the world's thirdlargest reserve currency (after the U.S. Dollar and the Euro). 10 Useful Words
1. ace up your sleeve If you have an ace up your sleeve, you have something in reserve with which you can gain an advantage. hold all the aces A person who holds all the aces is in a very strong position because they have more advantages than anyone else. ambulance chaser A lawyer who finds work by persuading people injured in accidents to claim money from the person who caused the accident is called an 'ambulance chaser'. back to the salt mines Saying that you have to go back to the sale mines is a humorous way of talking about returning to work, usually with some reluctance. bait and switch This term refers to a deceptive commercial practice of advertising a low-priced item to attract customers, then telling them that the product is out of stock and persuading them to buy a more expensive article. blamestorming A discussion among a group of people who try to determine who or what is to blame for a particular mistake, failure or wrongdoing, is called 'blamestorming'. blank cheque If you give someone a blank cheque, you authorize them to do what they think is best in a difficult situation. blue chip company This term refers to a company with a solid reputation for the quality of its products and the stability of its growth and earnings. above board If a situation or business is described as above board, it is open, honest and legal. get down to brasstacks When people get down to brass tacks, they start to discuss the essential aspects of a problem or situation.

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Politics
The United Kingdom is a unitary state under a constitutional monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state of the UK as well as of fifteen other independent Commonwealth. The monarch has "the right to be consulted, the right to encourage, and the right to warn". The United Kingdom has an unmodified constitution, as do only three other countries in the world. The Constitution of the United Kingdom thus consists mostly of a collection of disparate written sources, including statutes, judge-made case law and international treaties, together with constitutional conventions. As there is no technical difference between ordinary statutes and "constitutional law" the UK Parliament can perform "constitutional reform" simply by passing Acts of Parliament and thus has the political power to change or abolish almost any written or unwritten element of the constitution. However, no Parliament can pass laws that future Parliaments cannot change.
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Philippines
Meeting Etiquette Initial greetings are formal and follow a set protocol of greeting the eldest or most important person first. A handshake, with a welcoming smile, is the standard greeting. Close female friends may hug and kiss when they meet. Use academic, professional, or honorific titles and the person's surname until you are invited to use their first name, or even more frequently, their nickname.

Gift Giving Etiquette If you are invited to a Filipino home for dinner bring sweets or flowers to the hosts. Send a fruit basket after the event as a thank you but not before or at the event. Wrap gifts elegantly as presentation is important. There are no color restrictions as to wrapping paper. Gifts are not opened when received.

Dining Etiquette It is best to arrive 15 to 30 minutes before the time set. Never refer to your host's wife as the hostess. This has a different meaning in the Philippines. Dress well. Appearances matter and you will be judged on how you dress. Send a handwritten thank you note to the hosts in the week following the dinner or party. It shows you have class.

Business Meeting Etiquette > Appointments should be made 3 to 4 weeks in advance. > It is a good idea to reconfirm a few days prior to the meeting, as situations may change. > Avoid scheduling meetings the week before Easter. > Meeting personally is preferred to other, more impersonal methods such as the telephone, fax, letter or email. > Send an agenda and informational materials in advance of the meeting so your colleagues may prepare for the discussion. > The actual decision maker may not be at the meeting. > Avoid making exaggerated claims. > It is important to remain for the period of social conversation at the end of the meeting

Dress Etiquette > Business attire is conservative. > Men should wear a dark colored, conservative business suit, at least for the initial meeting. > Women should wear a conservative suit, a skirt and blouse, or a dress. > Women's clothing may be brightly colored as long as it is of good quality and well tailored. > Appearances matter and visitors should dress well. Filipino Family Values The family is the centre of the social structure. Provided to family members when they seek employment. It is common for members of the same family to work for the same company. Many collective bargaining agreements state that preferential hiring will be given to family members.

Business Negotiation > You may never actually meet with the decision maker or it may take several visits to do so. > Decisions are made at the top of the company. > Filipinos avoid confrontation if at all possible. It is difficult for them to say 'no'. Likewise, their 'yes' may merely mean 'perhaps'. > At each stage of the negotiation, try to get agreements in writing to avoid confusion or misinterpretation.
Government: Republic Head of State and Head of Government: President Benigno Noynoy Aquino III Vice President: Jejomar Binay Foreign Minister: Albert del Rosario Membership of international groupings/organizations: United Nations (UN), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Group of 77 at the United Nations (G77), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Labor Organization (ILO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), Inter- Parliamentary Union (IPU), Non Aligned Movement (NAM), World Health Organization (WHO), World Trade Organization (WTO), World Bank

ALBERT NIANGAR IV - Cleanliness