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There are many different traditions for addressing people in the world. In
some cultures people use each other's first name immediately. In other cultures, the
first name is only used by close friends and family. And in some cultures the first
name is the family name and the second name is the given name.
A partner in one of New York's leading private banking firms went to Singapore to meet one of his clients. In Singapore there are three different cultural tra-
ditions: Chinese, Malaysian, and English. His clients were ethnic Chinese.
The banker wanted to do everything correctly, so on his way to Singapore he
memorized the names of the three representatives he would meet. In the first meet-
ing with the representatives and some other business contacts, he began by ad-
dressing the top man, Lo Win Hao, as Mr. Hao. As the meeting continued, he made
sure to address each representative by name. After a while, one of the contacts
passed a note to the American banker. The note said "Too friendly, too soon."
Answer the following questions in groups.
1. What did this note mean? What mistake was the banker making? (Consult
Appendix 1)
2. Why is it important to know about the traditions for addressing your for-
eign business partners?
3. Have you ever been called by the wrong name or had your name pro-
nounced incorrectly? How did you feel? What did you do? Did you correct the per-
son or ignore the mistake?
4. How are names used in business in your country?
2.1. There are many idioms in English that describe how a relationship
develops. Match the idioms with their definitions.
1. to hit it off a. to like someone immediately
2. to break the ice b. to have a good relationship
3. to get along with c. to get past the beginning of an introduction
4. to get to know d. to begin to like a person
5. to warm up to e. to learn more about a person
2.2. Complete the following sentences with the correct idioms.
1. At first the employees were nervous about the new director. They thought
she was too strict, but after a few months they realized she just wanted the best for
the project and they __________ her. 2. I met a lot of people at the conference but
I was too busy to ________ anyone very well. I hope this year I can follow up and
meet with some of these contacts.
3. They met at a stockholders' meeting and _______________. Within weeks, they
were planning a new venture together. 4. The new head of sales does not
_____________ with his employees. This will have a bad effect on the whole de-
partment. 5. On the first day of the seminar the participants all had dinner together
2. It is important to know about the traditions for addressing foreign business partners because it shows respect for their culture and helps to establish a positive and professional relationship. Understanding how names and titles are used in different cultures can prevent misunderstandings and ensure that interactions are conducted in a culturally appropriate manner.
3. If you have been called by the wrong name or had your name pronounced incorrectly, it is understandable to feel a bit awkward or frustrated. In such situations, it is generally polite to gently correct the person by providing the correct pronunciation or name. Ignoring the mistake may lead to continued mispronunciations or misunderstandings.
4. In many countries, business interactions often involve using formal titles and last names when addressing colleagues or business partners, especially in initial meetings. However, as relationships develop and familiarity grows, it may become more common to use first names or appropriate titles based on the culture and context of the business setting.
2.1. Idioms and Definitions Matching:
1. to hit it off - d. to like someone immediately
2. to break the ice - c. to get past the beginning of an introduction
3. to get along with - b. to have a good relationship
4. to get to know - e. to learn more about a person
5. to warm up to - a. to begin to like a person
2.2. Completed Sentences:
1. At first the employees were nervous about the new director. They thought she was too strict, but after a few months they realized she just wanted the best for the project and they warmed up to her.
2. I met a lot of people at the conference but I was too busy to get to know anyone very well. I hope this year I can follow up and meet with some of these contacts.
3. They met at a stockholders' meeting and hit it off. Within weeks, they were planning a new venture together.
4. The new head of sales does not get along with his employees. This will have a bad effect on the whole department.
5. On the first day of the seminar, the participants all had dinner together.
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