WORKING IN SRI LANKA YOUR FRENCH INFORMANTS: VIVIAN, LAUREN, ANN

BASIC INFORMATION• LOCATION• CAPITAL• POPULATION• ETHNIC MAKE-UP • CURRENCY

WEATHERTropical (wet and dry season)Humidity 80% year-round. Yala monsoon (May - September)Dry season (December- March)

FLAG

RELIGIONSri Lanka

BuddhistMuslimHinduChristianOther

France

ProtestantMuslimJewishChristianUnaffiliated

EVERYDAY CLOTHINGThe sarong and Sari

CUISINE

WORKING IN SRI LANKAWorking weekSalaryGreetingClothing

Language

Typical problemsHow to improve your job opportunities

WOMEN IN WORKDifficulty for women to enter the business world.Low status, low skilled and low paying jobs.Garment industryFemale unemployment rate 22%

(double that of men)

HIGH V LOW CONTEXTRefer to styles of communicationWords do not convey whole messagesExample: U.S. translation system

HIGH V LOWThings may be left unsaid Few words can convey a complex messageWord choices important

More explicit communicationHighly codified language Value of word less important

DETERMINING FACTORS Emotions in a close relationshipDirectness of message Use of Non-Verbal CommunicationUse of digital/analogous language

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?East Asia (Sri Lanka included): non confrontational business Building relationships > strict principled business codes Company culture and networks

NEUTRAL CULTURESTend to not display emotions overtlyInteractions with others are cool and detachedDiscussion and negotiations are focused on topicShowing too much emotion may detract from respectability

AFFECTIVE CULTURESWilling to reveal their feelings and thoughtsWarm and enthusiastic behaviourDiscussion and negotiations focused on peopleConsider those from neutral contexts as cold or less important

NEUTRAL Portugal Denmark

Ethiopia Sweden Italy

Japan Netherlands Switzerland

Poland Hungary Malaysia

New Zealand England France

Hong Kong Czech Republic Ireland

Austria USA Argentina

China Mexico Russia

Indonesia Finland Venezuela

India Belgium Saudi Arabia

Bulgaria Brazil Cuba

Canada Norway Spain

Singapore Thailand Egypt

Australia Greece Kuwait

UAE Israel AFFECTIVE

Nigeria Germany

Source: adapted from Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner (2005)

SRI LANKAN ENVIRONMENTPublic displays of emotion are frowned uponStrict order of hierarchy – religious influencesFace integral to the reputation and honour of an individual or family

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE FRENCH?Affective culture of France Avoid debates and interruptions Be aware of the spiritual influences that surround decision makingDecisions always made at the highest level

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?Team player Work/Life balanceExhibit emotional and spiritual valuesWorkforce flexible and trainable Loyalty and integrityFriendly, easy going and fun loving

SOURCEShttp://www.immi.se/jicc/index.php/jicc/article/view/135/103http://academy.eurochambres.eu/upload/4b66b8228740e.pdf http://web4.cs.ucl.ac.uk/uclic/people/n.berthouze/paper/IwC06.pdf http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/srilanka.html http://www.iptu.co.uk/content/srilanka_business_cult.asp http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/French-Business-Communication-Style.html