The Cultural Savviness Quiz

The correct answer is Brazil. In Brazil as well as many other relationship building cultures failure to interrupt during conversations signifies you are not interested in what the other person is saying. People in those cultures, interrupt as a way to let you know they are interested in what you have to say and are excited about conversing with you.

The correct answer is United States. The American communication style tends to be personal. When introduced to an American you may find yourself engaged in a range of topics it is the American’s effort to find some common experiences. Through this type of engagement, the American will conclude that you have “a lot in common.” Actions and personal experiences are predominant topics in American conversations and are used as a means for establishing relationships.

The third one down is the correct answer. What is often above the surface of the water are the obvious things about a culture, the way people dress, their architecture, the foods they eat, etc., but what is below the surface is more complicated to understand such as their religious beliefs, their values, they way they think, feel and behave, etc., these things are what are considered to be below the surface of the water and not so noticeable or visible to the naked eye when visiting or settling into a new culture.

The correct answer is zero, in the United States; employers are not required, or even mandated, to provide paid vacation days for their employees.

Yellow is the color of mourning in Egypt. Egyptians saw the sun and gold as “lasting qualities.” Masks of mummies and tombs’ were often paved in gold. It is a good sentiment to send the deceased into the afterlife in yellow. In Mexico, yellow is also the color of mourning.

France is the correct answer. This proverb about having patience and perseverance and how it must be used in the process of something not yet accomplished. It takes time and effort to build things.

The correct answer is India. The Indian communication style is designed to maintain harmony. They don’t use the word “No,” which is considered to be too direct and very rude. They will often convey negative messages with statements such as: “I’ll try,” or “We’ll see.” These words are the Indian way of saying no.

The correct answer is Japan. The meaning is: People who spend all their time talking accomplish nothing. When communicating in the Japanese culture what often is not said, is being said. The Japanese value politeness and silence. Their indirect, polite form of communicating is to maintain harmony and to avoid confrontation. The idea is that two people who work together should be so in tune with each other that they need not exchange words. There is a great deal of emphasis on non-verbal communication to convey messages, which include posture, tone of voice, facial expressions as well as sounds such as (umm, hmm, and aah.

The correct answer is the United States, Americans value direct communication and they try to be open, friendly, direct and frank when conveying messages. They do not read between the lines very well and prefer their messages to be literal. People who say what they mean and mean what they say are perceived as being honest. They are often looked up to as being people others can rely on.

Brazil is the correct answer. Most relationship building cultures do not respond quickly, if at all, to emails especially detailed emails. People from these cultures almost always prefer to convey messages face-to-face. They rely on what is not said, such as body language and facial expressions.