Globalization is an economic tsunami that is sweeping the planet, and its impact has influenced many different political and cultural issues, but the issue I will be talking about in this paper is the cultural issues of business etiquette. Etiquette and manners are an integral part of any business transaction, and as we all know that globalization has allowed for cultural intermingling and each country is learning more about other cultures, and due to the unique access to cultures through technology, more people have access to see, hear and experience cultural occurrences that they are not privy to before.
Cultural globalization though seen as the domination of a specific culture, but as an adaptation of different cultures in the global world, is moving towards a trend of homogeneity that will eventually make human experience everywhere essentially the same. Its effect however is undeniably felt mostly by developing and poorer countries, who are at risk of losing their cultural and traditional way of life to the western culture that is imparted upon them through various tools of globalization. And because of globalization, there has been a fundamental change in who, where, and why we do business and this is not constrained by borders or distance. For example, etiquettes differ around the world, In England, politeness, reserve, and restraint are admired. In the ted talk video, the myth of globalization, Peter Alfandary, a culturally conflicted English man describes his first experience in New York and how a rude encounter with a cab driver was so different from what he was used to, this made him understand that in the US culture, directness doesn’t necessarily mean rudeness. Before visiting or stating a business partnership or proposal, it is highly recommended that research should be done about the culture of the country that one is traveling to, as their ways of doing things may be different from what one is used to and what I might think is a norm for me might be abnormal in another culture. For example, in the United States, a business meeting is usually all about business, while in some other cultures it can be considered rude to get straight to business by inquiring about each other’s health and welfare. Having prior knowledge of the basic traits of other cultures will go a long way in minimizing unpleasant surprises
My first year in the United States is a testament to this, I went for a job interview, and as it is customary in Nigeria to exchange pleasantries and small talk before an interview. The interviewer went straight to business after introducing himself and other members of the interview board, I felt quite uncomfortable as this is not the custom I am used to because the pleasantries and small talk tend to ease the tension before the interviews. This is just one of the many experiences I had in my first year living in the United States. Now I can say I have fully adapted to the way of life here.
The truth is understanding globalization helped me realize and come to terms with how people communicate, manage, work together, approach deadlines, negotiate, meet, greet and build relationships. But with the pace of globalization will also come new opportunities and challenges for both developed and developing countries.though
