Arely

BUS 302-01 : Spain

[Arely @arelyramoss]

Last week I mentioned talking points that should not be talked about in meetings. Now for some good topics of conversation: aspects of your own home country, Spanish football, and flamenco.

[Arely @arelyramoss]

This is very different than Spain, where punctuality is not essential and it is ok to be flexible with timing!

[Arely @arelyramoss]

It is common to use first names when introducing or talking to people in Spain, and close friends typically greet each other with an embrace.

[Arely @arelyramoss]

If one is invited to the home of a Spanish executive, flowers or chocolates for the host are acceptable gifts. If the invitation includes dinner, any business discussions should be delayed until after coffee is served.

[Arely @arelyramoss]

This is interesting! In Spain, bilingualism is on the rise and many schools are starting to teach English at an earlier age.

[Timothy Ewing @TimothyEwing17]

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.

[Arely @arelyramoss]

Some cultural taboos when it comes to conversation include bringing up bullfighting, machismo, feminism, partisan politics, and conflicts between regions of Spain. It is best to avoid these topics when talking to others.

[Eric Tell @EricTell1]

Gift exchanging in the Japanese culture is very important in the business world. If you receive a gift from a potential business partner, always open it in private. This removes the chance of you giving a "loss of face" if you receive a poor gift.

[Arely @arelyramoss]

Along with being Spain's capital, Madrid is also the largest city and also its financial and cultural centre.

[Arely @arelyramoss]

Very interesting! In Spain on the other hand, punctuality isn't as strict as other places in Europe, and being a bit late is not seen as impolite.

[Madison McDonald @madisonmcd302]

Germany is very open to the establishment of all businesses, whether it is established by a foreigner or german native. Just remember, as a foreigner it is very important to understand Germanys values in the workplace. Germans are punctual, hardworking, and productive.

[Arely @arelyramoss]

This is very interesting! In Spain, it is also common for both men and women to wear subdued colored clothing, but it is also important to wear high-quality materials and designer pieces to show your professional achievement.

[Arely @arelyramoss]

When arriving at a business meeting or appointment in Spain, it is advisable that you present your business card to the receptionist. Ideally, it should be printed in both Spanish and English with the Spanish side facing up.

[Arely @arelyramoss]

Wow this is very interesting! It is necessary then to stock up on black and blue pens when traveling and doing business in South Korea!

[Eugene Kim @EugeneKim102]

Red ink is considered bad luck in South Korea. Writing a person's name in the color red signifies the person is dead, or will die soon.

[Arely @arelyramoss]

When doing business in Spain and you get invited to a lunch or dinner, the person who invites is the person who pays the bill. Bills are rarely split in Spain, and it is nice to reciprocate the gesture at a later date. But don't make it seem like you are trying to repay them!

[Arely @arelyramoss]

This is very interesting @bentivegna_tia! I think the US should take some notes from Italians in this area; Americans should be more flexible when it comes to meetings as you never know what may arise last minute!

[Tia Bentivegna @bentivegna_tia]

According to https://t.co/sQceCkeW9Y, punctuality is not prioritized in the Italian business world. In other words, you should not be disheartened if your Italian business partner is late to your meeting. Do not take it as a sign of disrespect; Italians appreciate flexibility!

[Arely @arelyramoss]

In Spain, it is important to schedule enough time to get to know your business partners properly, before starting any negotiations! Building social bonds before discussing business is a crucial part of successful negotiations.