FINAL ASSIGNMENT

Subject: INB490, Section-1

TOPIC:
CULTURAL CHALLENGES FACED BY A SWISS
EXPATRIATE WHO HAS BEEN SENT TO EGYPT
SPRING 20

SUBMITTED TO:

Mr. Faiz Hossain [FSS]

Lecturer
MSC International Marketing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham,
UK.

DEPARTMENT OF MARKETING AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Submitted by:
NAME ID NUMBER
MD.SHAFIQUL HAQUE 1610552630
BHUIYAN

Submission Date: June 4, 2020

 Answer to Question No. 1
Based on the phases of 6 culture shock, Ciro will experience “The Honeymoon stage” in the
first weeks in the host nation Egypt.
We are generally used to do things in our way which we are adjusted. Because that suits us
much. Every people wants to do things as their methods. That system fits with every individual.
We can do things with our style only in our own culture, in our free environment. Our methods
of doing a work mindfully triggers our work on the way to success. Whether it's our personal
work or professional work, things should be executed properly to reach that success level. And if
we are in a society in which we love to do work independently, in which we love to create new
methods in our own way, and in which we set our own rules, then the whole process makes our
effort successful. We only make a task properly if we have full concentration on it, if we have
our own methods on it, and if our idea prefers the right way in our work. And then only we make
our work or duty fruitful. So by experimenting with all these ideas, we can understand one thing,
and that is for all these steps (our own way of work, our own rules, our own methods of doing
work independently), our surrounding cultures should be favorable towards us. The system of
our culture should be in our own way. It means, if our culture suits our style, or if we can adapt
freely in our culture, only then we can progress in our personal and professional life in a culture.
Culture plays an important role in every person’s life. If anyone can survive in the culture he can
make his way for living. It’s a very clear formula in today's life. If we see things which other
people are doing, and if those things please us as we think it’s our own away, we feel very happy
about that. If we talk to people with the same languages, it satisfies us. If our behavioral attitude
is the same as others in a society, it’s a good thing for us to go ahead. If our own rules are
maximum similar to everyone and if those rules are also accepted by the society in that culture,
then everything is going to be perfect. Culture is a common word to describe the norms and
values of a particular region, of a particular country. If we do our work against our cultures or if
we are in a place which doesn’t suit us in that particular culture, then it is harmful for us to
continue our work. Again If we can’t manage people around us in a group, or a society, then
things are not going to be perfect. Basically, we faced this kind of situation in an adverse culture
where we cant manage ourselves and our surroundings with whom we are supposed to work
with. By the way, after all these discussions, we understand that how cultural effects have a great
impact on our society. If we live in a society where culture allows us to do our work, to do our
own thing freely, then that culture is suitable for us to make our own things correctly. And if the
culture is very sophisticated, then it is difficult for us to sustain. Because culture has its norms
and values, a person has also his individual norms and values. If these two culture doesn’t match
with each other, then it is called an adverse cultural effect and it creates a negative impact.
In the given question, we can see a situation where a person named Ciro, who is a Swiss event
manager. He successfully involved as an event manager in Switzerland for the last 10 years. By
seeing his intellectuals and success story, his company transferred him to Egypt as an Event
Manager to monitor events in their resort on the red sea in Egypt. His boss, who is a Swiss,
didn’t provide him prior cultural knowledge about how to deal with Egyptians. So he got stuck in
the new environment. He started facing difficulties.
In order to give service to make the best satisfactory ends, a leader or a boss should communicate
regularly with his subordinates. He should discuss every matter regarding the task with his
subordinates. But now things are completely different. Ciro is a successful manager in the event
management service in Switzerland. But when he moved to Egypt, he faced cultural
dissimilarities as the culture of Egypt is completely different than that of Ciro’s culture. So
definitely he experienced culture shock in Egypt.
Generally when people enter a new country he feels very different things by thinking about how
to talk and behave with others, how things will work etc. In the next stage, he faces numerous
cultural difficulties. It depends on their capability of dealing with situations. Then he learns new
things like how to deal with people, how to tackle adverse situations. Finally, he starts learning
the cultural aspects of that new country.
At the beginning of this assignment, I mentioned that Ciro will experience “The Honeymoon
stage” of Culture Shock in his initial periods in Egypt. In the honeymoon or tourist phase, we
observed a mixed and completed experience of people who lands in a new country, face new
cultures for relaxation, vacations, honeymoon, or important business trips. This step is basically
featured by interest, excitement about that country, sleeplessness, and euphoria about new
culture.
Same thing we observed in Ciro’s case. Ciro moved from Switzerland to Egypt. His boss didn’t
provide him with adequate cultural knowledge of Egypt. Thus he got stuck in this new
environment. So we can easily understand that Ciro experienced the Honeymoon Stage of
culture shock in the first week in the host nation (Egypt).
 Answer to Question No. 2
In this question, Ciro has been tasked to take a colleague from Switzerland in his first business
meeting in an Egyptian event management summit. For a better verbal and non-verbal
communication, I will choose “DIRECT EYE CONTACT” and facial expression of
“SMILING”. So I will give them a few guidelines for using verbal and non-verbal
communication.
My first suggestion for a better non verbal communication for Ciro and his friend is to
maintain a Direct Eye Contact in Egypt. As its time of Pandemic COVID 19 which starts
taking the lives of people around all over the world, so things should be proper and clear cut. All
the business meetings should be performed effectively and unitedly. So at first, I will advise
them to maintain direct eye contact with their peers and other people in that meeting. Otherwise
they can’t communicate with others in a proper way. Direct eye contact is used in many
countries to build strong communication between individuals to use in business meetings,
government offices, etc. A strong eye contact creates strong communication, which will become
successful in the long run. As it’s a pandemic situation, so direct eye contact is essential in that
business summit to come up with a pure solution. Direct eye contact is needed in every industrial
sector for a better success. Direct eye contact has a powerful solution for smoothing cooperation
to generate an idea. Direct eye contact has a great value. It has social acceptance. To negotiate
properly, direct eye contact is a useful method. International Business Professionals also
encourage direct eye contact in any kind of business decision between cultures. The eyes have
the power to say yes, no, or in between any reaction. If you move your eyes positively or
negatively, the other person will understand the answer within a second just by seeing you.
Direct eye contact is practiced in many different countries of different cultures. In every culture,
direct eye contact is strongly allowed to communicate. If a business person moves to any foreign
country for a business meeting or any other purpose, their trip will only be successful with the
use of proper direct eye contact.
So I recommend direct eye contact for Ciro and his friend for excellent communication in that
business meeting held in Egypt. Because if they don’t adapt direct eye contact, their business trip
will ruin miserably. Because in foreign countries, you are expected to attend a lot of seminars,
business meetings, you have to make business decisions. So if you don’t make direct eye contact,
your followers won’t understand you properly as your eyes are looking down. So direct eye
contact is arguably essential in these circumstances. Making direct eye contact, especially in
North America, displays interest. It helps us convey trust, and also sends, in many cases positive
or negative signals.
As it’s a global pandemic situation Ciro and his colleague will have to indulge in decision-
making activities regarding event management on the red sea in Egypt. So if Ciro and his
colleague will look at other person’s eyes in the host nation (Egypt) when displaying something,
the followers will easily understand you and will accept you as their boss. In this way, a trust will
be built between Ciro and his colleague and other parties. So once again I strongly recommend
direct eye contact method to Ciro and his colleague.
But I also advised them a thing. And it is not to over stare especially if it is a woman looking at
them or they are looking at a woman. It creates sometimes an embarrassing moment, especially
if they are interested in her. Because it is sending signals of a romantic interest. Nonetheless, eye
contact is important, but it is interesting because it depends on what culture you are in and as to
what message you are conveying.
So I would like to advise Ciro and his colleague to engage in direct eye contact in times of a
pandemic situation to take proper decisions of event management with their Egyptian peers. In a
world of globalization and technology, direct eye contact is so essential, and it is already proved
so many times.
And now I would like to suggest another non-verbal form of communication for Ciro and his
colleague and it is a smile. My suggestion for Ciro and his colleague is to smile properly and try
to blink normally. Because if you just stare at the person and u don’t blink and you have no
expression, it comes off as a stare, and stares are rude in the unites States especially for a
prolonged period. Smile is a very powerful tool that can be used in a variety of situations. Ciro
and his friend should use a smile to encourage his followers, their peers, and also to their
subordinates. Even a smile can help yourself internally to deal with a difficult situation in a
conversation or a business meeting. It also helps others around you to make themselves
comfortable. If you are in a happy and smiling face, it means you love our job and you are
enjoying every bit of it. If Ciro and his colleague maintain a smiling face in that business
meeting in Egypt, it will make every one present at that meeting feel better than before, then they
will smile at them back also. Thus a strong community will be built on that meeting which will
build the relationship between Switzerland and Egypt. Even if Ciro and his friend talk to their
peers or advice their subordinates in Egypt, it gives their subordinates and peers a positive
energy and then they will listen carefully what you are saying also. Because their ( ciro and his
colleague ) smile will brighten their day. And as we are going through a pandemic situation, so
smiling will make them feel better, feel happier, awesome, delightful, joyful.
Ciro and his colleague will attend a business meeting regarding the Egyptian Event Management
Summit. So they should maintain a pretty smiling face with their peers and subordinates to
negotiate in a peaceful manner. It will be easier for both parties to unlock a better decision which
will be effective at the time of COVID 19 pandemic. Because a smile is a very powerful tool to
help influence situations when you are in a group of people or influence in situations when you
are dealing with a person one-on-one. So I will recommend smiling as a tool for Ciro and his
colleague at the time of COVID 19 Pandemich to communicate swiftly. Although smiling don’t
come naturally, but if they practice smiling in the culture of Egypt, he and his colleague will be
pretty fascinated by peoples reactions. So I suggest them to take smiling as a challenge. Because
the power of smiling is vast.
Verbal communication is also common in Egypt with the form of hand gestures. Although hand
gesture means non-vocal communication which indicates movement of hands, but in Egypt, hand
gestures are often practiced in a loud voice. There is a tradition of Egyptian people to say No or
answer Negatively. But sometimes it is difficult for Egyptians as they couldn’t catch what you
are telling to them. So my other advice for Ciro and his colleague is to describe properly with
hand gestures in the business meeting to avoid misunderstanding and conflicts. So its Ciro and
his Colleague’s responsibility to make everyone understand with hand gestures so that everyone
is getting what they are saying. Because decisions should be taken properly as it’s a pandemic
period
Now here is a very interesting thing, most of the communication method in Egypt is nonverbal
and it is through body language, in fact only 7% of the communication is the words that are
practiced in Egypt. So we can understand the popularity of Nonverbal communication here in
Egypt. So I advise Ciro and his Colleague is to maintain a good physical attitude, like how you
move your body, how your face looks- these are really important cues. Ciro and his colleague
should be sending out the right signals in the meeting and also at the time of communicating with
people.

Answer to the question No. 3

Dating an Egyptian woman creatively defers from western dating as well as differs from other
countries across the world. Egyptian women are awesome. They have a very good sense of
humor. It is Ciro’s first date in Egypt in front of a girl. Although there is a cultural differences
as Ciro is from Switzerland and his first date is from Egypt. But interesting thing is An
Egyptain women would like to pursue relationships with a foreign man. Because they thought
relationship with foreign man is less risky, Egyptian women think that such relationships allow
them to step away from cultural expectations and just have fun. Nonetheless, I would like to give
Ciro some advice which will help him for a successful date. The advice I want to give him for
his date are given below :
1. Be enthusiastic__ Show interest in the person you meet. Don’t hold back or be afraid to show
that you are excited about something. In fact Egyptian girl often see passion as a charming side
of strength and inspiration, showing your enthusiasm by smiling or incorporating friendly humor
will make you seem approachable and easy going
2. Show respect__ Egyptian girls want to feel respected before they reciprocated. Be polite and
show manners with please and thank you and don’t just focus your manners towards the person
you meet. Make sure to treat everyone around her as it shows a lot about who you are. For
example, if you are out for dinner, be sure to treat your waiters well not only your date.
3. Be open to new ideas__ Openness is an inviting trait. So give new experiences a shot, you
don’t have to lie and be enthusiastic about it if you didn’t enjoy it, but let people know that you
are willing to try something new with them. This will also encourage an Egyptian girl to be open
to your suggestion as well. Engaging in a new activity together is a great conversation starter and
can create a sense of closeness.
4. Realize it’s not about you__ it is great to show off your strings when meeting someone new.
But Egyptian girls also like to see a degree of humility, because it shows that you understand
there's always room for improvement. There is a difference between confidence and self-
centeredness, to avoid seeming conceited focus on larger concerns in the world and be sure you
are letting the other person participate equally in the conversation.
5. Pay attention to your body language__ Body language has four times the influence on first
impressions than the words that come out of your mouth. It is important to be aware of the way
you present yourself. Make sure your posture is good, make strong eye contact, and lean forward
to express interest.
6. Be aware about intimacy__ Avoid try to engage in any type of intimate behavior in the first
date. Because it is considered a taboo in the culture of Egypt. Don’t try to show any type of
sexual attitude like hugging, kissing, cuddling, etc. Even don’t try to hold hands at your first date
as it will express your over smartness.
7. Ask about family, food, and history__ Egyptians are very much family-oriented. They love
to spend time with family. They love to discuss their family with people of other cultures. So ask
your date about her family. Egyptians are very much fond of foods. So ask her about her favorite
food menu. Egyptians love their history a lot, they even love to visit historical places. Try to ask
about their historical sites, like ask about the Museum of Ciro, Abu Simbel, etc. If possible try to
take her in any nearest park or historical sites which will make your date with her even more
glittering.

References:
Rafika, D., Syahri, P., & Susanti, R. (2018). Culture Shock Experienced by Foreign Workers. Archives Of
Business Research, 6(4). doi: 10.14738/abr.64.4331

Cultural Information - Egypt | Centre for Intercultural Learning. (2020). Retrieved 2 June 2020, from
https://www.international.gc.ca/cil-cai/country_insights-apercus_pays/ci-ic_eg.aspx?lang=eng

VitaminDan. (2020). 0:02 / 13:36 What Egyptian Women Think About [Video]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s84EGl4G1IA

Algonquin College Student Services. (2020). The Power of your Smile [Video]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjicRGvNo38

iDateAdvice. (2019). Egyptian women: Meet girls from Egypt for marriage [Video]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZlWS982x2I