An emergency medical service which expanded into Malaysia had to change their corporate color, logo, and reprint all of their business cards, letterhead, promotional materials – everything! Their corporate color was a deep blue, the color of funeral procession attire and an omen of death. Better to use ordinary white business cards with standard black print than to use blue paper or ink, especially for a business related to healthcare.
It’s Chinese New Year – the Year of the Dragon – and New Year gifts must always be given in pairs! Odd numbers are inauspicious in gifts. For New Year gifts, money is popular, but oranges, which symbolize gold, are even more popular. Give four oranges (or four dozen) because recipients often “return the good luck” by giving back to the donor, and they would have to reciprocate with an even number or it’s bad luck for the coming year. By giving four or eight (eight is an especially auspicious “big business” number) oranges, your receiver can return the favor with an even number.
Pay attention to culture, customs, superstitions of the countries you venture to visit. Internet research can be useful on-the-run. Better is to study up before you go. Check travel guides in the public library for sections on customs and culture. Read books on countries’ traditions, history, culture, customs for more comprehensive cross-cultural training.
A weekend pouring over the books can spare you from packing unneeded – even dysfunctional – items or insulting your hosts or people you meet. There’s no point hauling so much as the few ounces of that black silk cocktail dress when every ounce counts on airlines and above all, on your shoulder as you haul your “stuff” around.
May your road rise up to meet you!
Ann
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