conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Do you know a description for a book titled When Cultures Collide about Today's, Librarian, April with the genre: Business & Money, Management & Leadership?
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: "A must resource for businesses looking to expand beyond borders...." -- Today's Librarian, April 2000
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Do you know the first five paragraphs for this book? Start with the sentence 'When Cultures Collide
  Norway's relations with European nations who are neither Anglo-Saxon nor Nordic are more enigmatic'.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: When Cultures Collide
  Norway's relations with European nations who are neither Anglo-Saxon nor Nordic are more enigmatic. Though viewed as clean dealers, Norwegians are seen by Southern Europeans as distant, excessively introverted, strong-willed and disinclined to mix. Germans see them as less susceptible to influence than the Danes, Swedes and Finns. The Slavic nations have had little contact due to the buffer position of Sweden and Finland.
  Norwegians remain a proud, independent, reserved, essentially Nordic nation with their house clearly in good order. Their eventual adherence or non-adherence to the EU and other European structures would probably have less importance in the economic area than in the cultural sphere. If Finland is rapidly engaged in shedding her image as Europe's cultural lone wolf, it is hard to imagine Norway, with her close historical and cultural ties to her neighbors, continuing to isolate herself spiritually from the common European heritage.
  Norway's secure and comfortable standing, both economically and spiritually, during the first decade of the century is further cemented by a comprehensive array of deep-rooted and traditional values deriving not only from the resolutions of Protestant Christianity but also from the attitudes and culture of the Viking era culminating in the period A.D. 800–1000 Christianity had some difficulty in establishing its relevance to everyday lives in the far north and for this reason heathen philosophies lived on for centuries.
  Others may not be able to make them change their minds, but Norwegians constantly do battle with their own feelings. Like the Dutch, they wish to be seen as a progressive, tolerant, modern people but are reluctant to demolish the traditional pillars of a rather straitlaced society. Thrift, caution, playing cards close to one's chest and strict word-and-deed correlation preclude the flexibility and communicative ease more readily observable in Denmark. Norwegian values can be summarized as follows:
  In democratic Norway, the boss is very much in the center of things, and staff enjoy access to him or her most of the time. Middle managers' opinions are heard and acted upon in egalitarian fashion, but top executives rarely abandon responsibility and accountability.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Do you know five more paragraphs?
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: There is little attention to the past, and the future is regarded as vague and unpredictable (God's will), so the present must be spent virtuously.
  Conversations are roundabout, avoiding giving offense. Malays are skilled at indirect references. Communication is formal at first, with gradual informality being introduced over time. A certain elegance of expression is maintained, both when speaking Malay and English. Some British influence is evident in debating.
  Malays are respectful, especially to seniors and elderly people; they will not interrupt. They listen for virtue and caring comments. Most can understand English spoken at normal speed.
  Harmony and balanced discussion are sought. Malays' relative indifference to business reduces ambition and competition. There is little attempt to alter the environment (in direct contrast to Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea and Japan). People who compromise most in business negotiations are the ones who are respected most. The Malays are not given to great shows of determination.
  Greetings are important. It is customary for men and women to shake hands with each other. In the Malay handshake the man offers both hands, but without the grip. He lightly touches his friend's hands, then brings his hands to his breast. This means "I greet you from my heart." Women often salaam, bowing very low.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Delete the last sentence.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: There is little attention to the past, and the future is regarded as vague and unpredictable (God's will), so the present must be spent virtuously.
  Conversations are roundabout, avoiding giving offense. Malays are skilled at indirect references. Communication is formal at first, with gradual informality being introduced over time. A certain elegance of expression is maintained, both when speaking Malay and English. Some British influence is evident in debating.
  Malays are respectful, especially to seniors and elderly people; they will not interrupt. They listen for virtue and caring comments. Most can understand English spoken at normal speed.
  Harmony and balanced discussion are sought. Malays' relative indifference to business reduces ambition and competition. There is little attempt to alter the environment (in direct contrast to Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea and Japan). People who compromise most in business negotiations are the ones who are respected most. The Malays are not given to great shows of determination.
  Greetings are important. It is customary for men and women to shake hands with each other. In the Malay handshake the man offers both hands, but without the grip. He lightly touches his friend's hands, then brings his hands to his breast. This means "I greet you from my heart.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Do you know the last five paragraphs? End with the sentence ' In 2009 he was elevated to the rank of Knight Commander.'.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: He has lived and worked in several European countries, where his clients included ABB, Allianz, Banco de España, Banque de France, BearingPoint, Deutsche Bank, Deutsche Telekom, Fiat, France Telecom, Gillette, IBM, Kraft, Mercedes Benz, Microsoft, Nestlé, Nokia, Nordea, Rolls Royce, Saab, SAP, Sony Ericsson, Unilever and Volvo.
  He also spent five years in Japan where he was tutor to Empress Michiko and other members of the Japanese Imperial Family. During this period, his services were requested by firms such as Nomura, Mitsubishi, Hitachi, Sanyo, Mitsui and Nippon Steel.
  More recently he has been heavily involved in the intercultural field, founding companies in France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Brazil, teaching communication skills in these countries as well as Finland, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the U.S., where he is currently cross-cultural consultant to the World Bank.
  Richard Lewis was chosen as the Personality of the Year 1999 by PATA (the Pacific Asia Travel Association) and was given the award on the basis of "the dedicated and extraordinary work carried out in the area of cross-cultural communication, having clear understanding and sensitivity for the cultures in the Asia/Pacific."
  Mr. Lewis was knighted by President Ahtisaari of Finland in March 1997 in recognition of his services in the cross-cultural field relating to the training of Finnish Ministries for EU entry (1995) and the EU Presidency (1999). In 2009 he was elevated to the rank of Knight Commander.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Do you know the first three paragraphs for this book?
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: When Cultures Collide
  Norway's relations with European nations who are neither Anglo-Saxon nor Nordic are more enigmatic. Though viewed as clean dealers, Norwegians are seen by Southern Europeans as distant, excessively introverted, strong-willed and disinclined to mix. Germans see them as less susceptible to influence than the Danes, Swedes and Finns. The Slavic nations have had little contact due to the buffer position of Sweden and Finland.
  Norwegians remain a proud, independent, reserved, essentially Nordic nation with their house clearly in good order. Their eventual adherence or non-adherence to the EU and other European structures would probably have less importance in the economic area than in the cultural sphere. If Finland is rapidly engaged in shedding her image as Europe's cultural lone wolf, it is hard to imagine Norway, with her close historical and cultural ties to her neighbors, continuing to isolate herself spiritually from the common European heritage.
  Norway's secure and comfortable standing, both economically and spiritually, during the first decade of the century is further cemented by a comprehensive array of deep-rooted and traditional values deriving not only from the resolutions of Protestant Christianity but also from the attitudes and culture of the Viking era culminating in the period A.D. 800–1000 Christianity had some difficulty in establishing its relevance to everyday lives in the far north and for this reason heathen philosophies lived on for centuries.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Do you know four more paragraphs?
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Status is inherited, not earned, and is confirmed by demonstrating leadership and a caring attitude. Malays feel comfortable in a hierarchical structure in which they have a definite role.
  Malays are modest and rarely request promotion. They expect it to be accorded by a caring senior when the time is ripe.
  There is little attention to the past, and the future is regarded as vague and unpredictable (God's will), so the present must be spent virtuously.
  Conversations are roundabout, avoiding giving offense. Malays are skilled at indirect references. Communication is formal at first, with gradual informality being introduced over time. A certain elegance of expression is maintained, both when speaking Malay and English. Some British influence is evident in debating.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Do you know the last five paragraphs?
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: He has lived and worked in several European countries, where his clients included ABB, Allianz, Banco de España, Banque de France, BearingPoint, Deutsche Bank, Deutsche Telekom, Fiat, France Telecom, Gillette, IBM, Kraft, Mercedes Benz, Microsoft, Nestlé, Nokia, Nordea, Rolls Royce, Saab, SAP, Sony Ericsson, Unilever and Volvo.
  He also spent five years in Japan where he was tutor to Empress Michiko and other members of the Japanese Imperial Family. During this period, his services were requested by firms such as Nomura, Mitsubishi, Hitachi, Sanyo, Mitsui and Nippon Steel.
  More recently he has been heavily involved in the intercultural field, founding companies in France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Brazil, teaching communication skills in these countries as well as Finland, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the USA, where he is currently cross-cultural consultant to the World Bank.
  Richard Lewis was chosen as the Personality of the Year 1999 by PATA (the Pacific Asia Travel Association) and was given the award on the basis of "the dedicated and extraordinary work carried out in the area of cross-cultural communication, having clear understanding and sensitivity for the cultures in the Asia/Pacific."
  Mr. Lewis was knighted by President Ahtisaari of Finland in March 1997 in recognition of his services in the cross-cultural field relating to the training of Finnish Ministries for EU entry (1995) and the EU Presidency (1999).