Cross- cultural Communication This page intentionally left blank

Country briefings
Country briefings are often the most indepth part of any cross- cultural and 
pre- departure training and should be provided before moving overseas. 
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

---

Teaching Cross- Cultural Communication 279
These briefings are built around mainly factual input and should contain 
up- to- date information on a country’s geography, history, politics, eco-
nomics, climate, foreign relationships, infrastructure, communications, 
working environment and living conditions. Insight should be provided, 
if time allows, into local customs, business practices, social conventions 
and, where appropriate, conflict between local and Western values. Courses 
can be organized within a company or in a neutral venue by a professional 
training establishment specializing in this area, such as the Centre for 
International Briefing at Farnham Castle in the UK. If possible, the teaching 
should include input by nationals with recent experience of the country 
and there should be ample opportunity to question and explore the cultural 
differences.
Taking China as an example, a typical briefing could cover:
Country focus: 
Geography
Overview of main milestones in history
Economic development post-Mao
Government system and politics
Hong Kong since 1997
Foreign 
policy
People and society: 
Traditions and customs
Confucianism 
and 
Buddhism
Demographics
Social 
structure
Attitude towards Westerners
Living in a particular city: Cost of living
Climate
Accommodation, 
transport, 
driving
Gas, electricity, telephone, water
Health 
and 
hygiene
Children’s 
education 
facilities
Leisure 
and 
recreation 
facilities
Social etiquette – entertaining, gift-giving
Security, crime, dealing with the local police
Business practices: 
Business etiquette
Dealing 
with 
bureaucracy
Ethics 
and 
corruption
Negotiating 
style
Organizing 
meetings
Employment 
conditions
Business 
services
The above is essentially cognitive training, emphasizing factual information 
about the host culture. It should be built into a cultural training programme 

---

280 Cross-Cultural Communication
that gives practical advice on appropriate behaviour in the areas listed, so 
that those going overseas may successfully interact with Chinese nationals 
and empathize with their customs and practices.