Culture Culture Culture is defined many different ways. Edward Taylor defines culture as “that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, laws, custom, and other capabilities acquired by man as a member of society” (Hill, 2011, p. 89). Another definition of culture comes from Geert Hofstede, expert on cross-cultural differences and management; he defines culture as “the collective programming of the mind which distinguishes the member of one human group from another… Culture, in this sense, includes systems of values; and values are among the building blocks of culture” (Hill, 2011, p. 89). Sociologists Zvi Namenwirth and Robert Weber view culture as a system of ideas that constitute a design for living (Hill, 2011, p. 89). Ultimately all the above definitions combine to show culture is made up of values, “ideas about what a group believes to be good, right, and desirable”, and norms, “social rules and guidelines that prescribe appropriate behavior in particular situations” (Hill, 2011, p. 89).
Culture Components and Business Business Etiquette Business Etiquette from culture to culture differs, for example between the United States and Japan. Business cards are a big deal in Japan and how you present it can be the difference in how you are perceived. In a meeting in the United States if you pass your business card around the table or just leave it for the person it is acceptable and it will normally only be printed on one side. However, when in Japan you want to be sure your card is printed with English and Japanese, present it to the person by holding it with both hands, Japanese side up, to the most senior member at the meeting first bowing slightly and then make your way down the corporate ladder (Venture, 2009). For most American business people your first instinct is to walk in and shake your host hand, this is a big do not in Japan (Venture, 2009).
Women
In the culture of the United States today it is not out of the ordinary to see a woman in a place of power with men asking for her opinion and taking direction from her. Many times woman earns the same or more than men in the United States. This is not necessarily true in other cultures. In Japan, women have little success reaching higher management positions. Until 1985, when the Equal Employment Opportunity Law was passed, women were not seen in the work place at all, but after it became a common sight on factory floors, at construction sites and behind the wheels of taxis (Fackler, 2007). In 1985, women held 6.6 percent of management jobs by 2005 that percent only jumped to 10.1 percent even though 27million woman make up half of Japans workforce. At the same time in the United States 42.5 percent of managerial jobs were held by women (Fackler, 2007). In the United States today women are putting off having children and opting to move up in their careers. In Japan most women stop working towards advancement in managerial jobs to go home and raise a family by their late 20s to early 30s (Fackler, 2007). Women from the United States sometime run into difficulties when visiting Japan on business especially when they have to deal with older Japanese men.
Table Manners Going out to dinner in the United States usually consist of going to a nice restaurant, sitting at the table, ordering your food, and once everyone is served, and eat using the typical, “Do not eat with your fingers,” “Do not belch,” “No elbows on the table,” etc. In Japan, these simple guide lines will help you make a good impression. When your food is served, make the “Namaste” gesture and quietly say “Itadakimasu” – meaning “I humbly receive” (Bloch, 2013). Do not pour sauce directly on your food as you may in the United States, pour a small amount into the dish provided and dip your food (Bloch, 2013). In the United States you are considered rude if you bring your bowl to your mouth or if you slurp noodles, in Japan this is custom as to be sure you do not spill food and it is a way to show you are enjoying your meal (Bloch, 2013). It is not uncommon to have your food served in dishes to be shared with the rest of the table rather than individual plates, when this is done take a small amount from the dish using the unused side of your chop sticks and put it on your own plate (Bloch, 2013)
Conclusion
Understanding the differences between the United States and Japan and between the United States and many more cultures are important so as not to offend and possibly ruin any business that could be done with companies from the country you are dealing with.

Work Cited
Bloch, Lyudmila. (2013). Top Dining Taboos in Japanese Table Etiquette. New Your Etiquette Guide. Retrieved January 23, 2013, from www.etiquetteoutreach.com

Hill, Charles W. L. (2011). International Business: Competing in the Global Marketplace (8th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Martin Fackler. (2007, August 5). Career women in Japan find a blocked path. New York Times. Retrieved January 23, 2013, from www.nytimes.com.

Venture Japan. (2009). Japanese Business Etiquette. Retrieved January 23, 2013, from www.venturejapan.com.