Cultural Savvy is a blog created by PALS INTERNATIONAL for the purpose of sharing with our clients all things cultural. Whether it be a funny story about an overseas trip to favorite spots that are ‘a must see’ and everything in between… PALS wants to share it.
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…the concept of “La Bella Figura” permeates Italian culture?
The expression “La Bella Figura” portrays the presentation of oneself in the best light, with sophistication and formality that resonates throughout the Italian business culture.
In some regions of Italy, to uphold “La Bella Figura” symbolizes an advocate for beauty and peace. Take note that other’s opinions and personal appearances are extremely important to your Italian business associate.
When adhering to the Italian business culture, it is essential to ensure that your visual communications are aesthetically pleasing to your Italian counterparts.
In today’s global market every advantage matters. Companies that understand not just their business, but HOW to do business globally will win in this economy.
Know your customers and partners. Know their culture. Speak their language. Invest in your success. Learn how to do business not only in Italian, but also with Italians.
Don’t leave your future to chance; gain the skills you need to make a difference to lead in a global future.
My cousin from Beirut came to visit our family in 1969. He was in his late 20’s and wanted to drive in the US. My mom gave him the keys. He was driving on Southfield Freeway in Lincoln Park. All of a sudden he decided to stop the car right in the middle of the freeway! I was really shocked and asked him why he stopped. He said he just wanted to see where he was. I quickly told him he had to get going or we would get hit! Another time we were driving on a 2-lane highway and when a semi tried to pass him, he sped up! Quickly we explained to him that we don’t race cars over here when they try to pass.
Now fast forward to 1974 when I visited Beirut. I noticed that none of the cars paid any attention to the lane lines on the road. When I asked my cousin about this, he said those lines were for the tourists and just for show and nobody followed them! He also said that Italy had sent traffic police to Beirut to help organize the traffic flow. I asked how that worked out. He said they became so frustrated that they left! Another time we were on their new expressway when suddenly the traffic stopped. Soon cars were turning around and heading the wrong way on the expressway because there was an accident ahead! After these road experiences I realized that even basic traffic laws and practices can vary greatly in different cultures. It also helped me understand why he drove the way he did when he visited us in 1969!
-Lena Packer
One time years ago, my friend and I were driving from France to Turin, Italy. If you have experienced driving in Italy, you’ll understand why I don’t recommend it. If you haven’t experienced it I can tell you finding your way around ‘Torino’ can be difficult. To get from point A to point B is hard enough, and getting back to point A is nearly impossible! Street signs might or might not be there. If they are, they frequently just blend in with the building they’re posted on which makes them hard to spot. A good GPS would have avoided a lot of headaches, but that technology wasn’t around back then.
As you can imagine, my friend and I got lost in the pouring rain, and we couldn’t find our hotel. Driving around and around in circles left us quite frustrated. I told my friend to stop the car and I would go ask for help. I went into a restaurant that was almost empty, and the waiters were going about cleaning tables. I spoke in English, but just got blank stares in return. I decided to give Spanish a try, and I believe the owner of the restaurant understood me. He took his apron off, and we all walked out to his small car where he told us to follow him. He led us to our hotel, then promptly drove off. I wanted to jump out of our car and thank him, embrace him and even kiss him, I was just so grateful! Unfortunately I didn’t get that opportunity nor did I ever see him again. I will always remember though, how remarkable he was, to stop his daily business operations to do such a favor for a total stranger.
Everyone has a particular memory about visiting a foreign country for the first time. Here are a few accounts from travels abroad.
Most memorable experience on a business trip…
…was a lunch presented in 1995 at a state-owned guesthouse near Tiananmen Square after a Saturday morning meeting.
It is memorable because of the menu. The first course consisted of fried scorpion and fried grasshopper. I took my chopsticks and picked up a scorpion, praying I wouldn’t drop it. When I bit into it, you could hear the crunch for miles. Once I swallowed it, my hosts broke into smiles and said, “That means you won’t catch a cold this winter.”
Excerpt from Forbes Life magazine
When my associate and I arrived at the airport, we had the option of taking a taxi directly to our destination. Instead, my associate recommended taking the train for the cost savings and cultural experience. We obtained a Japan Rail Pass for sightseeing purposes. Or train was not direct. We had to make several transfers using a color-coding system.
On one occasion, we lost our way and began to discuss our fate in our native Spanish language. Out of nowhere, a Spanish speaking family appeared and redirected us. In order to catch our next train, we had to leave the building and cross the street! We made the connection thanks to these three angels from Argentina. On the next train we met a North American man who continued giving us directions. Another angel! It seems there was always someone willing to help.
The Japanese train stations have stairways, not escalators, connecting different levels. You can imagine how we struggled on the stairways with all our luggage. Twice, a Japanese angel stepped forward to carry my case. I was so proud that I could say “Domo arigato gozaimashita!”
—Brenda Arbelaéz, President, PALS INTERNATIONAL
I have to agree that “angels” sometimes pop out of nowhere when you’re lost and confused in a foreign country. I had just moved to Japan and was venturing about town with map in hand, when I suddenly stopped and moved out of the way of pedestrian traffic because I realized I was totally lost.
As I was turning the map like a steering wheel, a middle aged Japanese man in a business suit walked up, and in nearly accent-less English said, “Can I help you get somewhere?” He, very kindly and patiently, pointed to where I was located and indicated to me how to get to the subway train that went to the Ginza, the area I wanted to explore. Because of his precise instructions in my language, the rest of my journey to the Ginza went off like clockwork. Thank you Japanese angel!
—Cindy Poole, Academic Coordinator, PALS INTERNATIONAL