Managing%20 cross%20cultural%20issues

MANAGING CROSS CULTURAL ISSUES

Sri Lanka

Sarjeevan Sainbhi (20104006)Sudeep Panicker (20104008)Rutwik Gandhe (20102001)

Topics Covered

Brief History Socio Political Environment Cultural Heritage Business Scenario Behavioral Aspects of People Tourism Scenario Educational standards.

Brief History

Name till 1972 – Ceylon

CapitalSri Jayawardenapura-Kotte is the administrative & Colombo is the commercial capital.

Currency – Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)

History

Indo-Aryan emigration from India in the 5th century B.C. came to form the largest ethnic

group on Sri Lanka today, the Sinhalese.

Tamils, the second-largest ethnic group on the island, were originally from the Tamil region of India and emigrated between the 3rd century B.C. and A.D. 1200.

Etiquette and Customs in Sri Lanka

Meeting and Greeting

“Namaste“

The Sinhalese may say "ayubowan“

Tamils would say "vanakkam“

In informal settings you may also hear "kuhomadu“

Complete name including surname

Shake Hands

Etiquette and Customs in Sri LankaGift Giving Etiquette:

Avoid flowers - they are used in mourning

Only give alcohol if you are sure the recipient drinks

White or black are the colors of funerals and

mourning.

If the recipient is Muslim avoid pig products, alcohol

or any foodstuffs that contain meat (unless "halal")

Hindus should not be given gifts made of leather.

Give and receive gifts with two hands.

Business Etiquette & Protocol in Sri Lanka

Meeting and Greeting Shaking hands is the most common form of

greeting. Handshakes are firm

Greetings are given upon meeting and

leaving.

Men may shake hands with other men and

women may shake hands with other women.

As with most hierarchical cultures, Sri Lankans

use titles.

If someone does not have a professional title,

use the honorific title "Sir" or "Madam".


Business Card Etiquette

Business cards are usually exchanged after

an initial handshake and greeting.

Always present your business card with two

hands.

Treat people's business cards with respect

- so keep don't put them into pockets, draw

on them or use them in any manner that

may be disrespectful.


Communication: Maintaining face is important for all

communication..

Watch for long pauses, avoidance of eye

contact or blatant tactics of evasion.


Business Meetings:

Relationship-building conversations at the

start of any meetings.

The Sri Lankans will want to feel at ease

with you and at least have a small bit of

background about you before they will feel

comfortable doing business or discussing

business with you.Cont…


Prior to a meeting it may be worthwhile

sending some background information on

your company, the attendees and an

agenda for the meeting.

Initial meetings will usually take place with

middle ranking personnel who gather

information to present to the decision

maker

Remember only the top level person at a

company will usually make decisions.

THANK YOU

Managing%20 cross%20cultural%20issues

Education

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