How to Do Business in 12 Asian Countries 6. What will you need to know in 2010 or 2020 to work in Asia? As Hans Koehler pointed out in his Preface, we live in changing times. In this century China and India are changing the economic balance of the world. But many of the cultural tenets presented in Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: Asia took hundreds or thousands of years to develop. These stable precepts help us understand why people behave differently around the world, and they will help you to avoid global marketing faux pas | 26 Kiss Bow or Shake Hands Asia About 2 percent of Indians are Sikhs. Sikhism combines tenets of both Hinduism and Islam. Sikhs believe in reincarnation but do not recognize caste distinctions. Unlike Hindus Sikhs reject nonintervention with the world as cowardly. India also has Christians Buddhists Jains and Zoroastrians. The Republic of India has no official religion. The origins of the caste system are unclear but it has existed in India for thousands of years. Even though the government has outlawed discrimination on the basis of caste castes still play a significant role in the politics and business of the country. Although there are only four traditional castes these are broken down into thousands of subcastes. Know Before You Go India has suffered everything from cyclones in 1999 at least 10 000 died in the eastern state of Orissa to massive earthquakes approximately 30 000 dead in Gujarat during 2001 to the devastation of the tsunami in southern India in 2004. Additional hazards include droughts flash floods from monsoons and extreme weather changes in the Himalayas. Stay healthy on your trip. Listen to your doctor s advice prior to your visit and take your vaccinations against hepatitis A cholera etc. . Many travelers fall ill because of overindulging in spicy foods or eating raw fruits or vegetables that have been contaminated. Drink bottled water wear sunscreen and be certain to bring any required medications with you. 3 CULTURAL ORIENTATION Cognitive Styles How Indians Organize and Process Information In India information is accepted openly as long as it does not challenge religious and social structures. Because of rote learning and tradition most thinking is associative. However highly educated Indians are more abstractive and analytical. Although universal rules of behavior exist within the social structure immediate situations and people are of major concern but always within the constructs of the caste system. India 27 Negotiation Strategies What .
