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Landing the Job

Poshmonkey goes to India (Test your International Etiquette Skills)

A test by Karin Schroeck-Singh.

Test Questions

Question

Tomorrow, 21st June 2008 it's Raj's birthday and he invited you to a birthday party. You gave him a book from your hometown wrapped in red paper. Surprisingly he doesn't open it in your presence. You are wondering why:

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Answers

Correct	Answer Text
	Red is considered an unlucky colour, he will ask someone else to open it.
	It is a custom that if you get a wrapped gift you set it aside until the giver leaves.
	It is custom to ask the giver to open it for the receiver.

Question

The office you are meeting your Indian business partner Raj is close to an Indian temple. He told you when walking past you should keep your hands in your pockets. Why did he say that?

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Answers

Correct	Answer Text
	It lets other people know that you don't have any money in your pocket.
	It's a sign of respect.
	A street merchant may offer to shake your hand and slap a temple bracelet on your outstretched arm which you are expected to pay for.

Question

You go to an Indian restaurant and order some rice, chicken tikka masala and naan bread. You notice that there is no cutlery. What are you going to do in order to eat?

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Correct	Answer Text
	You ask the waiter to bring you the fork and knife, he must just have forgotten it.
	I was supposed to bring my own cutlery along and didn't know it. Therefore I will use my hands.
	Nothing since it is a perfectly acceptable method of eating with your hands.

Question

During a group meeting it is customary to greet

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Correct	Answer Text
	the youngest members first.
	the female members first.
	the oldest members first.

Question

You feel frustrated because a meeting planned 6 months ago has been delayed. Later someone tells you that the reason for this was, that:

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Correct	Answer Text
	they prefer to arrange it for a day that is astrologically auspicious rather than convenient.
	it is common practice to do so with foreigners, to test their patience.
	they hold meetings only when they are all present, which was not the case on that day.

Question

You have been invited to a party. Unfortunately you are not able to take part. What are you going to say?

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Correct	Answer Text
	I'll try.
	Sorry, I can't.
	No way.

Question

Before you start your discussion in a business meeting usually you are:

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Correct	Answer Text
	expected to present your company.
	being asked to take off your shoes.
	being given some tea and involved in some small talk.

Question

You realise that conducting business in India is considered as:

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Correct	Answer Text
	highly personal and at a leisurely pace
	personal and fast-paced
	direct and personal

Question

Your business associates are between 50 and 60 years old. You should show them:

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Correct	Answer Text
	respect.
	your company's financial assets.
	the soles of your shoes once you are sitting.

Question

You are attending your next meeting in Punjab (North India). Until now you always dealt with Hindus, but as you know Indian is represented by various religions. You notice that among your business associates there is a Sikh with a turban and a beard. When meeting him what words would you use to greet him?

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Correct	Answer Text
	Namaste.
	Sat Sri Akal.
	Salaam.

Question

You gave your Indian counterpart a deadline by which you would like to have produced the software you required. This kind of impatience is seen as:

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Correct	Answer Text
	professional and efficient.
	target-oriented.
	aggressive, rude and disrespectful.

Question

At the office your Indian host offers you some refreshments. How are you going to react in this situation?

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Correct	Answer Text
	I graciously accept.
	It is customary to refuse the first offer, but accept the second or third offer.
	I refuse it since it looks as being too greedy.

Question

You want to bring your business associates (who are all Hindus) a business gift. Which gift would be perceived as offensive?

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Correct	Answer Text
	money in an odd number.
	chocolate.
	leather covers for their diaries.

Question

You are negotiating with Raj and other executives and discuss about Crores and Lakhs. What does it mean?

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Correct	Answer Text
	The Indian terms and conditions of doing business.
	The Indian competitors and their products.
	The Indian currency expressed in Rupees.

Question

Raj suggests that you come to India for the next business trip between October and March. This because

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Correct	Answer Text
	the company from April to September remains closed.
	during the other months there are a lot of religious festivals during which no business is conducted.
	the other months it is extremely hot and to avoid the monsoon.

Question

You are invited to Raj's house. You are expected to turn up:

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Correct	Answer Text
	on time.
	10 minutes earlier.
	15 - 30 minutes later.

Question

In order to be efficient during negotiations it would be advisable to:

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Correct	Answer Text
	establish a connection with the head of the company (all decisions are made on that level).
	establish a connection with the Personal assistant of the Director who can promote your proposal.
	establish a connection per phone before getting there.

Question

Small talk is part of the Indian way of life. When talking to your Indian associates you can expect being asked:

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Correct	Answer Text
	general questions about your country (weather, politics, etc.)
	personal questions about salary, home, job, family, marriage, etc.
	whether you have already visited a temple.

Question

The meeting starts at 10 am and at 11 your business partners are still not there. What are you supposed to do?

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Correct	Answer Text
	To go back to your hotel, the meeting will be held there.
	to wait since they expect you to be punctual but turn up late themselves.
	To call them and informing them that you are waiting.