While in the United States, it is generally not business practice to complement a woman's looks, this is considered a "gallant" or chivalrous act in Italian business culture. Being complemented on your appearance and style is accepted and appreciated in Italy for women.
The Netherlands is one of the most environmentally conscious countries in the world. This stems from a history of battling against encroaching waters and using wind power. This is paired with their strong farming traditions.
Denmark is ranked one of the happiest countries in the world. Danes value equality and have a strong sense of responsibility for social welfare. There is even a Danish concept, hygge, meaning taking time out of your busy day to enjoy the good things in life.
In the Netherlands, the ability to speak in multiple languages is highly valued. Students are expected to be fluent in English by the age of 12 and encouraged to learn more languages.
Costa Rican business embodies the “Pura Vida” lifestyle of the country, but certain practices are recommended:
-small talk is important to establish trust
-calling people by their title is important
-business attire for all prof. settings
-punctuality is less important than in US
During business meetings in The Netherlands it is normal that the meeting concludes with a handshake and a "nice to meet you" rather than starting with this formality like in the U.S.
According to Hofstede's Insights, Denmark ranks fairly low in masculinity. Because they are considered a more feminine society, they tend to value a work/life balance. Also, conflicts are typically solved through compromise and discussion. Danes value liking the work they do.
The Netherlands ranks low in masculinity on the Hofstede insights. This means the people are more motivated by liking what they do rather than being the best at it.
Costa Rican’s, often referred to as Ticos, are known for living the “Pura Vida” lifestyle, which translates to “pure life.” This is reflected in their business dealings, as they are often known for being friendly, relaxed, and extremely humble when talking about themselves.
The Netherlands also applies its view on humanity to how the homeless are treated. In Amsterdam, homeless people are given three euros and a beer for performing manual labor for the city.
When I was in The Netherlands, I learned their perspective on humanity is very different than that of the U.S.. For instance, the Dutch live by the rule of "if it doesn't hurt anyone else, then it's not a problem. This is why drugs and prostitution will always be legal there.