International Culture Variable

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Business Communication

Topic: International Culture Variable

Asad MAZHAR

[email protected]

Date Of Submission

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7th Dec, 2010

International Culture Variables

Holland / Netherland

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Mexico

Table Of Contents

Acknowledgement

Introduction To Holland / Netherland

Culture Variables

Summary of Holland Culture Variables

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Introduction to Mexico

Culture Variables

Summary of Mexico Culture variables

Acknowledgement

We, Muhammad Farhan Saleem, Muhammad Shahbaz & Muhammad Imran, would like

to give appreciation to our Madam Rubina Safdar for giving us an opportunity to compile

and present a assignment on international culture variables. This opportunity has give us

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exposure to culture of the countries. Which would be very help full to adjust in there

environment in case of going to those countries.

Introduction To Holland

Surface: The total land area covered by Netherlands is 33,883 sq km.

Population: The approximate population of Netherlands is 16,570,620 (July

2007 est.) with Dutch being the most dominant ethnic group.

System of government: The government of Netherlands is constitutional

monarchy.

Capital: Amsterdam is the capital of Netherlands and has approximately 743,030

inhabitants.

Religion: Thirty-one percent of the people are Roman Catholics, while thirteen

percent are Dutch Reformed Protestants.

Official Language: Dutch and Frisian are the two official languages.

Government: The government of Netherlands is constitutional monarchy.

Climate: Netherlands has a temperate climate, with cool summers and mild

winters.

Units of measure and electricity: Netherlands follows the metric system and

uses 230V, 50Hz as the basic electricity unit.

Time Zone: Netherlands follows CET, which is GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 in summers)

Currency: Euro and Dutch Guilder (1 = 1.35 USD & 1 = 2.20 NLG)

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Culture Variables:

1. Dress:

Holland doesn't have one single national costume. It does, however, have a rich variety of

traditional regional costumes. But usually wooden shoes, white hats with crazy little

golden things on the side, white shirt and black skirt are preferred by the people. Wooden

shoes are the most famous part of the Dutch costumes.

2.Food:

Food is seen as a necessary part of life, with no need for luxury. Traditional foods include

pea soup, kale stew, hotchpotch (a thick stew), and white asparagus, French fries with

mayonnaise, meat croquets, and raw herring. In the morning, the Dutch consume several

sandwiches with cheese, peanut butter, or chocolate sprinkles. Lunch consists of

sandwiches, often with cold cuts and perhaps a small salad on the side. Dinner, which

generally is served between five and seven P.M., is a two or three-course meal that often

begins with soup. The main dish usually contains a mixture of potatoes with vegetables

and meat, fish, or poultry and is followed by dessert. ChineseIndonesian, Surinamese,

and Italian food have become part of the Dutch diet. The Dutch hardly ever invite peoplewith whom they are not closely acquainted for dinner. Instead, coffee has a strong social

significance. Neighbors often invite each other over for a cup of coffee with the

invariable one cookie, and the morning coffee break at work is a sacred institution.

Washing hands before eating, being on time to the table, and starting to eat at the same

moment is important. It is impolite to begin eating before others. A parent or host often

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indicates when to eat, usually by saying 'eet smakelijk' (pronounces ATE smahk-A-lick),

which literally means 'Eat deliciously' but is used in the same as Bon Apptit (enjoy the

meal.) It is proper to keep hands above the table (rather than in the lap) but not to rest

elbows on the table. The Dutch use the continental style of eating, with the fork on the

left and the knife remaining on the right. Forks are not used to eat dessert; small spoons

are provided. One does not leave the table until all have finished eating. The Dutch

traditionally don't use very sharp spices and are very fond of pouring gravy onto

everything. The Dutch have however always been internationally orientated and

nowadays you can expect to find meals varying from Italy to the Orient and from China

to Africa on Dutch dinner tables, especially amongst younger people

3. Manners:

When visiting the Netherlands for the first time, you will probably be struck by the fact

that everyone here is quite absorbed with his or her own piece of social space.

Appearances are important to the Dutch. They are disciplined, conservative, and pay

attention to the smallest details. They see them as thrifty, hardworking, practical and well

organized. They place high value on cleanliness and neatness. At the same time; the

Dutch are very private people. They do not draw attention to themselves and do not value

the accoutrements of success highly prized by other western societies. The Dutch are

egalitarian and highly tolerant of individual differences. Their children are raised withoutgender biases. There is practically no abject poverty in the country because of the social

programs, which, however, also increase the tax burden on workers. The Dutch are

reserved and formal when dealing with outsiders. They are private people and do not put

their possessions or emotions on display. Self-control is seen to be a virtue. The Dutch do

not ask personal questions and will refuse to answer should you be foolish enough to

intrude on their privacy. Personal life is kept separate from business. If a friendship

develops at work and is carried into the personal arena; this camaraderie will not be

brought into the office. Personal matters are not discussed with friends, no matter how

close. The handshake is the common form of greeting. It is firm and swift, accompanied

by a smile, and repetition of your name. Shake hands with everyone individuallyincluding children. Very close friends may greet each other by air kissing near the cheek

three times, starting with the left cheek. Most Dutch only use first names with family and

close friends. Wait until invited before moving to a first-name basis. If invited to a Dutch

home bring a box of good quality chocolates, a potted plant, a book, or flowers to the

hostess. Flowers should be given in odd numbers, but not 13, which is unlucky. Avoid

giving white lilies or chrysanthemums, as these are associated with funerals. Gifts should

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be wrapped nicely. Wine is not a good gift if invited for dinner, as the host may already

have selected the wines for dinner. Do not give pointed items such as knives or scissors

as they are considered unlucky.Communication is direct and to the point, and may seem

blunt. Make sure your arguments are rational as opposed to emotional. Use facts and

figures to confirm yourstatements.

4.Time:

In Dutch culture Punctuality is taken extremely seriously. Being late may mark you as

untrustworthy and someone who may not meet other deadlines. If you expect to be

delayed, telephone immediately and offer an explanation. If we talk about getting late in

business meetings Cancelling a meeting at the last minute could jeopardize your business

relationship. Keep in the mindsome important point that Do not try to schedulemeetingsduring the summer (June through August), as this is a common vacation period.

5.Space

The Dutch have a desire for spatial organization that is informed by Calvinistassumptions about order as a synonym for cleanliness and sinlessness. The Calvinistsense of space can be seen clearly from the air. The land is carefully divided inMondrian-like squares and rectangles. In part, this is related to surface water managementwith its need for canals and dikes, but it also reflects the Dutch desire for order anduniformity. This can be seen most clearly in the undistinguished suburban housing

development projects. Dutch houses are relatively small and have prominent front doorsand large windows. Homes are stacked with formidable amounts of furniture, indoorplants, and flowers. Dutch interiors are a reflection of the outside world, congested butorderly and clean.

6. Education:

Schooling is free and compulsory between the ages of five and sixteen. Children may beenrolled for an optional year at age four. Primary education ends at age twelve. Students

may go to a Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, or non-religious school, but the basiccurriculum is the same. Secondary school begins with two years of basic education; allstudents study the same 15 subjects that emphasize practical applications of knowledge.After that, they can choose between different types of high school, ranging from pre-vocational to pre-university. The number of years varies with the program. Vocationalschools train students in such professions as accounting, nursing, or teaching. Graduatesof vocational and general high schools often enter apprenticeships. Higher education issubsidized by the government. There are 13 universities. According to stats

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approximately 70 percent of the adult population receives formal education after highschool, and 20 percent of the adult population has received higher vocational training(HBO) or attended a university.

7. Religion:

The largest religious congregation in the Netherlands is Catholic (30 percent of thepopulation), followed by Reformed Protestant (14 percent), Dutch Reformed (7 percent)and Muslim (4 percent). More striking, however, is the fact that 40 percent of the population is not religious or connected to a denomination. There are religiouspractitioners like (priests, ministers, and imams) belong to the major religions in theNetherlands. The Roman Catholic ecclesiastical authority is represented by bishops whotry to influence national debates about the family, social welfare, abortion, andeuthanasia.

8. Economics:

The Netherlands has an advanced free market economy. The Dutch pride themselves onhaving an economy that performs smoothly, known as the polder model, which hinges onperiodic negotiations among labor unions, employers' associations, and the governmentto control wage scales and taxes. Dutch exports can be divided into five main categories:agricultural products, 15 percent; natural or enriched fuels, 6 percent; chemical products,17 percent; industrial products, 12 percent; and machinery, 24 percent. Germany is the principal trading partner. Two-thirds of Dutch exports go to five nations: Germany,

Belgium, France, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Those five trading partnersaccount for 61 percent of Dutch imports.

9. Laws & Regulations:

Traffic violations are the most common legal infraction. Violent crimes are lowcompared to other European countries and the United States; 273 murders werecommitted in 1996, amounting to 1.8 murders per 100,000 inhabitants. Dutch citizensworry mostly about muggings and burglaries. People hardly ever take the law into theirown hands. There are very few neighborhood watches and no armed citizens' militias.The Netherlands has very strict gun control. Possession of small quantities of soft drugs(marijuana and hashish) is not prosecuted. The sale of soft drugs in so-called coffee shopsis not legal but is tolerated. The Netherlands has become a magnet for drug touristsbecause of its liberal stance toward drugs and its position as a major transport hub withinEurope. The Netherlands has a great tolerance of prostitution. Randstad cities have redlight districts in which women display themselves behind windows to potentialcustomers.

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10. Language:

Dutch is the official language of Holland, is spoken by around 90% of the population.Around 350,000 people, or 2.2% of the population, speak Frisian as their first language,mainly in the northern province of Friesland, where it is recognized as an officiallanguage. Turkish and Arabic are also spoken in the Netherlands, each by over 0.6% ofthe population. Netherlands as regional languages according to the European Charter forRegional or Minority Languages, as well as the Meuse-Rhenish Franconian varieties inthe southeastern province ofLimburg, here called Limburgs language.

11. Social Norms:

The Role of the Family

The Dutch see the family as the foundation of the social structure.

Families tend to be small, often with only one or two children.

Relatively few women work outside the house full-time as compared to manyother cultures.

This allows mothers to be more available to their children throughout the entireday.

Dutch Demeanour

Appearances are important to the Dutch.

They are disciplined, conservative, and pay attention to the smallest details.

They see themselves as thrifty, hardworking, practical and well organized.

They place high value on cleanliness and neatness.

At the same time, the Dutch are very private people.

They do not draw attention to themselves and do not value the accoutrements of

success highly prized by other western societies. They dislike displays of wealth, as they run counter to their egalitarian beliefs.

They do not boast about their accomplishments or their material possessions.

Egalitarianism

The Dutch are egalitarian and highly tolerant of individual differences.

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Their children are raised without gender biases.

There is practically no abject poverty in the country because of the socialprograms, which, however, also increase the tax burden on workers.

This egalitarian outlook is carried over into the workplace.

Even in hierarchical organizations, every person has a right to their opinion and to

have it heard. The boss may be the final decision maker, but he/she will typically want input

from the workers and will strive for consensus.

Everyone is valued and shown respect

Dutch Privacy

The Dutch are reserved and formal when dealing with outsiders.

They are private people and do not put their possessions or emotions on display.

Self-control is seen to be a virtue.

The Dutch do not ask personal questions and will refuse to answer should you befoolish enough to intrude on their privacy.

Personal life is kept separate from business.

If a friendship develops at work and is carried into the personal arena, thiscamaraderie will not be brought into the office..Personal matters are not discussed with friends, no matter how close.

The handshake is the common form of greeting.

It is firm and swift, accompanied by a smile, and repetition of your name.

Shake hands with everyone individually including children.

Very close friends may greet each other by air kissing near the cheek three times,starting with the left cheek.

Most Dutch only use first names with family and close friends. Wait until invited before moving to a first-name basis.

Gift Giving Etiquette

If invited to a Dutch home bring a box of good quality chocolates, a potted plant,a book, or flowers to the hostess.

Flowers should be given in odd numbers, but not 13, which is unlucky.

Avoid giving white lilies or chrysanthemums, as these are associated withfunerals.

Gifts should be wrapped nicely.

Wine is not a good gift if invited for dinner, as the host may already have selectedthe wines for dinner.

Do not give pointed items such as knives or scissors as they are consideredunlucky.

Gifts are usually opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

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Dining is fairly formal in the Netherlands.

Table manners are Continental -- the fork is held in the left hand and the knife inthe right while eating.

Remain standing until invited to sit down. You may be shown to a particular seat.

Men generally remain standing until all the women have taken their seats.

If you have not finished eating, cross your knife and fork in the middle of theplate with the fork over the knife.

Do not begin eating until the hostess starts.

Most food is eaten with utensils, including sandwiches.

The host gives the first toast. An honoured guest should return the toast later inthe meal.

Salad is not cut; fold the lettuce on your fork.

Always start with small amounts so you may accept second helpings.

Finish everything on your plate. It is offensive to waste food in the Netherlands.

Indicate you have finished eating by laying your knife and fork parallel across the

right side of your plate.

Business Meeting Etiquette

Do not try to schedule meetings during the summer (June through August), as thisis a common vacation period.

Punctuality for meetings is taken extremely seriously.

Being late may mark you as untrustworthy and someone who may not meet otherdeadlines.

If you expect to be delayed, telephone immediately and offer an explanation. Cancelling a meeting at the last minute could jeopardize your business

relationship.

Meetings are rather formal in nature. Little time is spent on pleasantries.

Meetings adhere to strict agendas, including starting and ending times. Do notattempt to deviate from the agenda.

Maintain direct eye contact while speaking.

Negotiations

The Dutch prefer to get down to business quickly and engage in relatively little

small talk. Communication is direct and to the point, and may seem blunt.

Make sure your arguments are rational as opposed to emotional.

Use facts and figures to confirm your statements.

Business is conducted slowly. The Dutch are detail-oriented and want tounderstand every innuendo before coming to an agreement.

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Decision-making is consensus driven. Anyone who might be affected by thedecision is consulted, which greatly increases the time involved in reaching a finaldecision.

Avoid confrontational behaviour or high- pressure tactics.

Once a decision is made, it will not be changed.

Contracts are enforced strictly.

12. Non-Verbal Communication:

Eye contact and facial expressions are important, though one should not stand too close to

another person when speaking. One covers their mouth when yawning. When someone sneezes,

a person nearby will say proost or gezondheid, the equivalent of saying, bless you. It is

impolite to pass between conversing individuals or to chew gum while speaking. Pointing the

index finger to the forehead to imply someone is crazy is an insult. Wagging the index finger

emphasizes a point.

Despite being basically reserved, the Dutch have a manner of speaking that may startle you by its

directness. They look you right in the eye and can sound very abrupt, especially when they are

speaking English or another foreign language and cannot express all the shades of meaning they

would be able to express in their own language. But even when they speak Dutch, they tend to

come to the point quickly without first going through a series of conversational rituals. This

directness and lack of subtlety is in fact seen by the Dutch as a positive personality trait.

13. Decision Making:

The decision making in Holland culture is equal for all .women and men are equal before

the law and the trend toward gender equality has been noticeable, women and men still

occupy distinct functions in Dutch society. The differences between men and women are

especially noticeable within the nuclear family, where the woman continues to perform

the role of homemaker, while the man is seen as the breadwinner or provider. This is

especially true among working-class families. Women are underrepresented in leadershippositions in politics and the economy.

Division of Labor by Gender. Women constitute only 38 percent of the labor force and

often work part-time. This low rate of participation has ideological and historical reasons.

There is a prevailing belief that maternity care has great developmental benefits for

children.

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MARRIAGE,FAMILY, AND KINSHIP

Marriage. Dutch people are free to choose their spouses. The common basis for marriage

is most often love. This does not mean that people marry independently of the constraints

of class, ethnicity, and religion. The choice of a partner is often class-based. Monogamy

is the only marriage form allowed. Many Dutch couples live in a consensual

arrangement. Same-sex couples can marry and have the same rights as heterosexual

couples.

The marriage ceremony may consist of two separate formal events: the municipal

registration and a religious ceremony, with the latter being optional. The couple holds a

wedding reception where friends and relatives gather to celebrate the nuptial engagement.

Almost 45 percent of the Dutch population is married; about eighty thousand marriages

are registered each year, while on average thirty thousand couples file for divorce.

Domestic Unit. The nuclear family is the most common household unit, although it is

increasingly losing ground to single-parent families, couples without children, and single-

person households. The principal authority in the household is generally the man,

although there is a trend toward more equality of marriage partners. Extended family

households are rare. Dutch couples have a neolocal postmarital residence pattern, as

couples are free to choose where they live.

Kin Groups. The Dutch make a distinction between relatives by marriage and relatives

by blood. Consanguineal relatives are considered more important than are affinal

relatives. Solidarity and support (financial and emotional) are usually directed at the

closest kin (parents, children, and siblings). This is also illustrated by prevailing

inheritance patterns. Disinheritance is not permitted by law. Every child receives an equal

share.

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Summary

Dress:There will be no problems in the case of any male are going Holland because they doesn't

have one single national costume. It does, however, have a rich variety of traditional

regional costumes. But usually wooden shoes, white hats with crazy little golden things

on the side, white shirt and black skirt are preferred by the people. But there will be some

problems for the womens.

Food:

Food is one of the most important factor which we have to face in case of going aboard inHolland people usually like mayonnaise , pasta etc lunch consist usually consist of

sandwiches etc which we cant do in Pakistan because of traditional lunches . People

usually in Holland eat dinner at night 5 to 7 P.m which is not possible in the culture

context in Pakistan. Due to offices usually closed late in evening.

Manners:

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In dutch culture Appearances are important . They are disciplined, conservative, and pay

attention to the smallest details.un like in Pakistan we are indiscipline nation. They see

them as thrifty, hardworking, practical and well organized. They place high value on

cleanliness and neatness. The Dutch are egalitarian and highly tolerant of individual

differences. Unlike in Pakistan we are highly in tolerant people.

Time:

This is the one of the most important problem which we have to have usually Pakistani

are not to be consider on be on time.In Dutch culture Punctuality is taken extremely

seriously. Being late may mark you as untrustworthy and someone who may not meet

other deadlines. If you expect to be delayed, telephone immediately and offer an

explanation.

Education:

Schooling is free and compulsory between the ages of five and sixteen. Unlike Pakistanwe have to pay.Children may be enrolled for an optional year at age four. Primaryeducation ends at age twelve. Students may go to a Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, or non-religious school, but the basic curriculum is the same. In education we will not foundany major problems. Except that no Islamic lessons will thought in schools.

Religion:

The largest religious congregation in the Netherlands is Catholic (30 percent of the

population), followed by Reformed Protestant (14 percent), Dutch Reformed (7 percent)and Muslim (4 percent). More striking, as we know that the population of muslims inholland are less soo we have to face some problems in performing our prayers.

Economics:

Economic position of Pakistan is not much good. Huge weight of loans of IMF and lessexports more imports are one of the basis of Pakistans economic rescissions

Laws & Regulations:

If we talk about laws and regulation Holland rules are far better than us .Traffic violationsare the most common legal infraction. Violent crimes are low compared to otherEuropean countries. Dutch citizens worry mostly about muggings and burglaries. Peoplehardly ever take the law into their own hands. There are very few neighborhood watches

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and no armed citizens' militias. The Netherlands has very strict gun control. Possession ofsmall quantities of soft drugs (marijuana and hashish) is not prosecuted. The sale of softdrugs in so-called coffee shops is not legal but is tolerated. And we all know that the rulesand regulations in Pakistan. As an alee in war against terror Pakistan have many securityproblems.

Language:

Dutch is the official language of Holland, is spoken by around 90% of the population.Around 350,000 people, or 2.2% of the population, speak Frisian as their first language,mainly in the northern province of Friesland, in case of going Holland you should have toknow Dutch language or English to communicate.

Social Norms:

The Role of the Family

The Dutch see the family as the foundation of the social structure. Families tend to besmall, often with only one or two children. Relatively few women work outside the housefull-time as compared to many other cultures. This allows mothers to be more availableto their children throughout the entire day. The role of the family is quite similar toPakistani families.

Privacy

The Dutch are reserved and formal when dealing with outsiders. Personal life is keptseparate from business. If a friendship develops at work and is carried into the personalarena, this camaraderie will not be brought into the office..Personal matters are not discussed with friends, no matter how close. The handshake isthe common form of greeting. Shake hands with everyone individually includingchildren. These are the point which is used for privacy in Pakistan and Holland culture assame.

Gift Giving Etiquette

Flowers should be given in odd numbers, Gifts should be wrapped nicely. Do not givepointed items such as knives or scissors as they are considered unlucky. Gifts are usuallyopened when received. In Pakistan it varies according to families.

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Verbal communication:

Verbal communication in Pakistan and Holland are the same. People usually like the long

letters and proper business writing are used.

Non-Verbal Communication:

Eye contact and facial expressions are important, though one should not stand too close

to another person when speaking. In Pakistan eyes, facial expressions gestures voice,

pitch, sound and personality speaks it self.

Decision Making:

In Pakistan decisions making is mostly consider with the male. Most of the cases male

the decisions in the family. The decision making in Holland culture is equal for all

.women and men are equal before the law and the trend toward gender equality has been

noticeable, women and men still occupy distinct functions in Dutch society. The

differences between men and women are especially noticeable within the family, where

the woman continues to perform the role of homemaker; Women are underrepresented inleadership positions in politics and the economy.

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Introduction to Mexico

Surface: The total land area of Mexico is around 1,923,040 sq km.

Population: The population of Mexico is around 108,700,890. Mestizos comprise

around 60% of the population; Amerindians, 30%; Europeans, 9%; others 1%.

System of government: Mexico has a federal republic government that is representative

and democratic.

Capital: Mexico City, with a population of around 9,000,000, is the capital.

Religion: A majority of the Mexican population is Roman Catholic.

Official Language: Spanish is the official language.

Government: Mexico has a federal republic government that is representative and

democratic.

Culture Variables:

1. Dress:

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In Mexico usually mens wears a conservative dark suit and tie. Your wardrobe shouldinclude suits that have classic lines and tailoring in gray or navy, and white or light blueshirts. A white shirt is more formal and should be worn when the formality of themeeting dictates. Men may wear pants and a light shirt for casual. Plan a casual wardrobeusing the classic colors, plus camel, and you will be casual, yet polished. Should you

have the opportunity to wear a guayabera, the wonderful traditional lightweight shirt, youwear is out over your pants. This design is very comfortable in warmer weather. if wetalk about womens. Womens wears a dress or skirt and blouse. A classic suit may alsobe worn. Build a wardrobe using classic lines, classic skirt lengths, and basic classiccolors - gray, navy, white, and ivory. Women may wear a blouse with pants or a skirt forcasual. To present yourself as professional and polished, even in an informal setting,build your casual wardrobe using classic shades of gray, blue, camel, white and ivory.Jeans are generally not appropriate, and tight or low cut clothing is never appropriate.

2.Food:

Mexico possesses an extensive and sophisticated culinary culture, with a great variety ofregional dishes. Three products constitute the heart of most Mexican dishes: corn, hotpeppers (chiles), and beans, products that stem from pre-Columbian times. Corn isconsumed in all possible forms: as a cooked or roasted corncob (elote), cooked grain ofcorn, porridge (atole), as wrapped and steamed dough with filling (tamal), but mostimportantly as a tortilla, a thin, round "pancake." Tortillas are made from corn dough andcome in many sizes, although the traditional tortilla that accompanies most meals has adiameter of approximately six inches (15 centimeters). When tortillas are filled with meat

or other ingredients they are called tacos or quesadillas, which are especially popular incentral Mexico. Much of the sophistication of Mexican cuisine comes from the use ofmore than one hundred different types of chiles, which range from the large and "sweet"chile ancho to the small and extremely hot chile habanero.Mexicans generally have a light breakfast of coffee and/or fruit before they leave forwork or school. Halfway through the morning, people may eat a warm tortilla-basedsnack or a bread roll. The most important meal of the day is served between two and fourin the afternoon (the comida) and consists of three or four courses: soup; rice or pasta;meat or chickenif affordableaccompanied by tortillas and refried beans; and dessert.Dinner is served between eight and ten at night and consists mainly of sweet rolls, coffee,and milk. Mexicans frequently eat outdoors. Homely restaurants serve inexpensive fixed

menus known as comida corrida. Mexicans drink huge quantities of soft drinks and beer.Although the national liquor is tequila, which is produced from the maguey cactus,Mexicans prefer rum with cola during weddings and other celebrations, or fiestas.There are numerous religious and secular occasions in Mexico that are accompanied byspecial food. A popular religious fiesta is the Da de la Candelaria (Candlemas) on 2February, which celebrates the purification of Mary and the presentation and blessing ofJesus. After the church ceremony family and close friends join for tamales. During theDay of the Dead, 2 November, people consume pan de muerto (bread of the dead), a long

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and flat sweet bread prepared with many eggs and sugar. At Christmas people eatromeritos, a plant similar to rosemary served with sauce and potatoes; bacalao, driedcodfish cooked and served in a sauce of tomatoes, olives, and onions; and all sorts ofstuffed turkey. In September people commemorate independence and, in central Mexico,eat a sophisticated dish called chile en nogada, a stuffed chile poblano dressed with a

white walnut sauce, red pomegranate, and green parsley, in a representation of theMexican flag.

3. Manners:

Mexican etiquette is strongly informed by the culture of social hierarchies and distance.These can exist along the lines of race and gender, but class distinctions regulate socialinteraction most decisively. It goes without saying that the different social hierarchiesfrequently run parallel.Generally speaking, Mexicans shake hands when they meet or inthe case of two women meeting or a man and a woman meeting, kiss each other on thecheek once. In the case of close friends and on special occasions, such as New Year's

Eve, Mexican men and women embrace each other, pat each other gently on the back,and then shake hands. This abrazo expresses confidentiality and the crucial value of trust.Because strangers cannot be placed within the different circles of intimacy andconfidentiality they are generally treated with suspicion.When people of differentsocioeconomic status meet, the individual with the socially ascribed inferior status willwait for the person with superior status to define the terms of the encounter. Mexicans arevery keen on being addressed with their academic or professional title. The mostcommonly used academic title is that oflicenciado. The form of address of licenciado ismore linked to the position someone holds than to that person's precise academiccredentials. People of lower standing will also invariably address a socially superior withthe formal you (usted), while the latter will most likely use the informal you ( tu). These

forms of address draw boundaries, create distance, and confirm the social hierarchies socharacteristic of the national culture. Mexicans value the art of eloquence. Conversationswill mostly begin with polite and informal exchanges and slowly move toward thesubject matter.

4.Time:

If you are invited to a Mexican's home Arrive 30 minutes late in most places (check withcolleagues to see if you should arrive later than that).Arriving on time or early isconsidered inappropriate. At a large party you may introduce yourself. At a smaller

gathering the host usually handles the introductions. In the case of business. Businessappointments are required and should be made at least 2 weeks in advance. Reconfirmthe appointment one week before the meeting. Reconfirm the meeting again once youarrive in Mexico and make sure that the secretary of the person you will be meetingknows how to contact you. It is important that you arrive on time for meetings, althoughyour Mexican business associates may be up to 30 minutes late. Do not appear irritated ifthis occurs as people often run behind schedule. Meetings may be postponed with littleadvance warning. Initial meetings are formal.

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5. Space:

Mexican cities have been built from the central square (zcalo) outwards. The main

church and the municipal or state palace are invariably to be found on the zcalo, whichis the center of a colonial checkerboard pattern of streets. The zcalo with its benches,bandstand, and fountain is a crucial place for citizens to meet for leisure activities,political rallies, civic rituals, and demonstrations. The huge zcalo in Mexico City hasbecome synonymous with a public space appropriated by ordinary people. In recentdecades, Mexican cities have grown at a pace surpassing the capacities of urban planning.Urban growth has been accompanied by squatter settlements and uncontrolledcommercial and industrial expansion. This growth has also consumed extreme amountsof space, because low-rise buildings prevail and because priority is given to new andprestigious projects in the outskirts as opposed to urban renewal. Mexican architecturewas heavily influenced by Spanish and French traditions. Nevertheless, local traditions

and indigenous crafts always mediated European influences. In the twentieth century,Mexican architecture developed a proper style. Public buildings constructed in the latterhalf of the century breathe a monumental atmosphere, reminiscent of the great pre-Columbian pyramids. The houses of well-to-do Mexicans have been inward looking,towards a patio, since colonial times. Their front sides mainly consist of plastered wallsand barred windows. This reflects the desire to protect the family from the outside worldand underscores the key role of family life in the national culture.

6. Education:

In Mexico children are required to go to primary school for six years. Nevertheless, in1995 almost 32 percent of the population over the age of fifteen had not finished primaryschool. In public and private schools pupils have to wear uniforms. Whereas publicschools stress civic values and lay education, the majority of private schools tend to placemore emphasis on religious values. There are also more liberal private schools. Relationsbetween teacher and pupils tend to be strict. Role and rule differentiation between girlsand boys begins at an early age and forms key aspects of child rearing until adolescence.Male babies are dressed in blue and female babies in soft pink. There is a tendency toraise boys as "little men" and girls as "little women," thereby preparing them for theirfuture gender roles. Sexual education within the family is still taboo for many Mexicans.Methods of child rearing also show differences according to class. In lower-class

households it can be strict and traditional. During the 1990s, the government launchedcampaigns against the use of corporal punishment.The most important initiationceremony for girls is held when they turn fifteen. This fiesta de quince aos marks thetransition from girl to seorita, that is, a young virgin. The event also indicates that theyoung woman is now available for marriage. The ritual includes a holy mass duringwhich the need to maintain purity until marriage is stressed. Afterward, the family holds alarge party. There is no comparable ritual for boys.

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In Mexico higher education is considered a road to socioeconomic progress and well-being. During several decades, public universities were recruitment sites for the politicaland administrative elite. This function has increasingly been taken over by the mostprestigious private universities. In 2005, nearly 12 percent of the population over the ageof twenty-five enjoyed some degree of higher education. At the beginning of university

courses in 2008, there were just over 1.5 million students in the universities (excludingpreparatory schools), of which 811,000 were men and 704,000 were women. Half thestudents studied social and administrative sciences and a third were in engineering andtechnology.

7. Religion:

Unlike some other Latin American countries, Mexico has no official religion, and theConstitution of 1917 and the anti-clerical laws imposed limitations on the church andsometimes codified state intrusion into church matters. The government does not provideany financial contributions to the church, and the church does not participate in public

education. The last census reported, by self-ascription, that 95% of the population isChristian. Roman Catholicsare 89% of the total population, 47% percent of whom attendchurch services weekly. In absolute terms, Mexico has the world's second largest numberof Catholics afterBrazil. About 6% of the population (more than 4.4 million people) isProtestant, of whom Pentecostals and Charismatics (called Neo-Pentecostals in thecensus), are the largest group (1.37 million people). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims one million registered members as of 2006, about 250,000 of whom areactive, though this is disputed. Islam is practiced by a small Muslim population in the cityof Torreon, Coahuila, and there are an estimated 300 Muslims in the San Cristobal de lassCasas area in Chiapas. The presence ofJewsin Mexico dates back to 1521, when HenanCorts conquered the Aztecs, accompanied by several Converses. According to the last

national census by the INEGI, there are now more than 45,000 Mexican Jews. Almostthree million people in the 2000 National Census reported having no religion. MexicosBuddhist population currently makes up a tiny minority, some 108,000 according to latestaccounts. Some of its members are of Asian descent, others people of various other walksof life that have turned towardBuddhism in the recent past.

8. Economics:

Mexico has a free-market economy with a mixture of modern and traditional industry andagriculture, increasingly dominated by the private sector. Until the mid-1980s, state

regulation of the economy and protectionist policies were influential, but since then theMexican economy has experienced deregulation, internationalization, and privatization.The number of state-owned companies fell from more than one thousand in 1982 to fewerthan two hundred in 1998. Economic restructuring was promoted by national andinternational interest groups in response to several late twentieth century economic andfinancial crises.The gross domestic product (GDP) amounted to $415 billion (U.S.) in2008. The composition of GDP by sector was as follows: agriculture, a little more than 5percent; industry, 29 percent; and services, almost 66 percent, of which commerce,

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restaurants, and hotels accounted for a third. Mexico's external debt amounted to $154billion (U.S.) in 2007. The unequal distribution of land was a key cause of the MexicanRevolution. The struggle for land led to the adoption of a policy of land reform thatreached its height in the 1930s but slowed steadily after In 1998, Mexico's exports totaledmore than $117 billion (U.S.) and its imports amounted to more than $125 billion (U.S.).

Although Mexico produces and exports large quantities of oil, the overwhelming majorityof exports came from the manufacturing industry. The most important sectors were, indiminishing order, machinery, automobiles, textiles, and clothing. The United States is byfar the most important trading partner, accounting for more than three-quarters ofMexico's imports and exports. Trade with the United States and Canada increasedsubstantially following the implementation in 1994 of the North American Free TradeAgreement. Mexico is pursuing additional trade agreements with countries in LatinAmerica, as well as with Israel and the European Union to lessen its dependence on theUnited States.

9. Laws & Regulations:

In Mexico both petty and organized crime increased in the 1990s. Muggings andburglaries, increasingly violent, became widespread. Drug-related violence constitutedanother serious cause of concern. Public security has thus become a key issue forordinary citizens and the authorities. At the same time, the police and the judiciary

system are widely believed to be ineffective and lack public credibility, partially due tounresolved high-profile political assassinations and corruption. This has led to incidentsof people taking the law into their own hands. Paid neighborhood watches are commonwherever people can afford them. Private security guards no longer patrol only at banksand government buildings but also at medium-sized offices and shops. In response, thegovernment founded an additional police force in 1999, the National Preventive Police.

10.Language:

Spanish control of Mexico led to the dominance of Spanish, the official language. As

many as 100 Native American languages are still spoken in Mexico, but no singlealternative language prevails. Eighty percent of those Mexicans who speak an indigenouslanguage also speak Spanish. The most important of the Native American languages isNahuatl. It is the primary language of more than a million Mexicans and is spoken bynearly one-fourth of all Native Americans in the country. This is followed by Maya, usedby 14 percent of Native Americans, and Mixteco and Zapoteco, each spoken by aboutseven percent of Native Americans. No other indigenous language is spoken by morethan five percent of Mexico's Native Americans.

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11. Social Norms:

Respect for elders :

The treatment of adults and superiors, including parents and teachers, differs withMexican students socialized in a tradition of respect for those older. The most commonmisunderstanding prompted by this cultural difference is the lowering of eyes in thepresence of an adult or a person of authority. Learned as a mandatory behavior to showrespect in Mexico, in the United States, it may be perceived as disrespectful andindicative of guilt.

Gender roles :

Differences in male-female roles are noted, especially for children from rural Mexico,where boys and men traditionally do manual labor while girls and women take care of thehome.

Mexican Family Values

The family is at the centre of the social structure.

Outside of the major cosmopolitan cities, families are still generally large.

The extended family is as important as the nuclear family since it provides a sense ofstability.

Mexicans consider it their duty and responsibility to help family members. For example,the will help find employment or finance a house or other large purchase.

Most Mexican families are extremely traditional, with the father as the head, theauthority figure and the decision-maker.

Mothers are greatly revered, but their role may be seen as secondary to that of theirhusband.

Families of Mexico

Mexican culture is known for the unified nature of the family.

The countrys divorce rate is among the lowest in the world.

Children regularly live with their parents until they marry.

Mexican family units stay connected. Often, grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, andchildren live in the same area or even in the same house.

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Hierarchical Society

Mexican society and business are highly stratified and vertically structured.

Mexicans emphasize hierarchical relationships.

People respect authority and look to those above them for guidance and decision-making

Rank is important, and those above you in rank must always be treated with respect. This makes it important to know which person is in charge, and leads to an authoritarian

approach to decision-making and problem- solving.

Mexicans are very aware of how each individual fits into each hierarchy--be it family,friends or business.

It would be disrespectful to break the chain of hierarchy.

Meeting Etiquette

When greeting in social situations, women pat each other on the right forearm orshoulder, rather than shake hands

Men shake hands until they know someone well, at which time they progress to the moretraditional hug and back slapping.

Wait until invited before using a Mexican's first name

Gift Giving Etiquette

If invited to a Mexican's house, bring a gift such as flowers or sweets.

Gift wrapping does not follow any particular protocol.

Do not give marigolds as they symbolize death.

Do not give red flowers as they have a negative connotation.

White flowers are a good gift as they are considered uplifting. Gifts are opened immediately.

If you receive a gift, open it and react enthusiastically.

Dining Etiquette

If you are invited to a Mexican's home:

Arrive 30 minutes late in most places (check with colleagues to see if you shouldarrive later than that).

Arriving on time or early is considered inappropriate.

At a large party you may introduce yourself.

At a smaller gathering the host usually handles the introductions.

Watch your table manners!

Always keep your hands visible when eating. Keep your wrists resting on the edge of thetable.

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When you have finished eating, place your knife and fork across your plate with theprongs facing down and the handles facing to the right.

Do not sit down until you are invited to and told where to sit.

Do not begin eating until the hostess starts.

Only men give toasts.

It is polite to leave some food on your plate after a meal.

Relationships & Communication

The right connections facilitate business success.

You will be judged by the person who introduces you and changing this first impressionis nearly impossible.

Since the initial meeting is generally with someone of high stature, it is important thatyour delegation include an upper-level executive.

After the initial getting-to-know-you meeting, the senior executive may not attendmeetings or be visible.

This indicates you are now getting down to business and they are no longer needed tosmooth the introduction.

Demonstrating trustworthiness, sincerity, and integrity are crucial to buildingrelationships.

Expect to answer questions about your personal background, family and life interests.

Business Meeting Etiquette

Business appointments are required and should be made at least 2 weeks in advance.Reconfirm the appointment one week before the meeting.

Reconfirm the meeting again once you arrive in Mexico and make sure that the secretaryof the person you will be meeting knows how to contact you.

It is important that you arrive on time for meetings, although your Mexican businessassociates may be up to 30 minutes late.

Do not appear irritated if this occurs as people often run behind schedule.

Meetings may be postponed with little advance warning.

Initial meetings are formal.

Have all written material available in both English and Spanish.

Agendas are not common. If they are given, they are not always followed.

Business Negotiation

Since Mexicans are status conscious, you should always have someone on yournegotiating team who is an executive.

If you do not speak Spanish, hire an interpreter.

It will take several meetings to come to an agreement.

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Face-to-face meetings are preferred over telephone, letters or email.

Negotiations and decisions take a long time. You must be patient.

Deadlines are seen as flexible and fluid, much like time itself.

Negotiations will include a fair amount of haggling. Do not give your best offer first.

Do not include an attorney on your negotiating team.

Business Dress

Dress as you would in Europe.

Men should wear conservative, dark coloured suits.

Women should wear business suits or conservative dresses.

Business Cards

Business cards are exchanged during introductions with everyone at a meeting.

It is advisable to have one side of your business card in Spanish.

Business cards should contain both your professional and educational qualifications.

Present your business card with the Spanish side facing the recipient

12. Verbal Communictaion:

Verbal: People in Mexico use longer sentences because the culture values elegance andexpressiveness to a higher degree.

13. Non- Verbal Communication:

Non Verbal: In Mexico, looking on directly in the eye can be considered agressivebetween two men and flirtatious between men and women.

A firm handshake, Just as in the U.S., is considered a sign of assertiveness and of being ago-getter. The Mexican people prefer closeness. They do not have the need for personalspace that many Americans do.

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14. Decicion Making:

In the Mexico Culture Decisions on family size and fertility regulation are made withinthe household, and yet little research has focused on the effects of power relationshipswithin families on demographic decisions. To clarify the situation, the paper presents anoriginal framework, linking bases of power between husbands and wives, resultingcommunication processes, and decision-making outcomes. The framework is applied todecision-making regarding contraceptive use or abortion, which can be a passivedecision, a unilateral decision made openly or surreptitiously by one partner, or a jointdecision between husband and wife, depending upon the particular power relationship pre-dominating in the family: coercive, reward, legitimate, referent, expert, orinformational power. To illustrate the utility and viability of this framework, availabledata from fertility surveys and anthropological studies conducted in Latin America are

reviewed and analyzed, as well as policy implications for the design of family planningdelivery programs.

GENDER ROLES AND STATUSES

Division of Labor by Gender. The degree of economic participation of women was 35percent in 1995, while that of men was about 75 percent. Nevertheless, female economicparticipation is increasing rapidly. In addition, it is generally assumed that many womenare employed in nonregistered and underpaid informal activities. Women also generallyearn less than men and their level of educational is lower. Most women are economicallyactive when they are young (between twenty and twenty-four years of age).Although the political arena is strongly dominated by men, the presence of women in

public space has become more common place. In the early twenty-first century, forexample, the leadership of major political parties was in the hands of female politicians,as was the government of Mexico City and the chair of Mexico's largest union. Theinvolvement of women in numerous social movements has also been significant.The Relative Status of Women and Men. Although women and men are equal beforethe law, clear differences persist in terms of authority and privileges. Women play crucialroles in the family, but even here the male is "chief of the family" ( jefe de familia).Women are seen as the caretakers of morality and hence take center stage in the domainof religion.In assigning males and females to different economic, political, and social roles,Mexicans can make use of complex and sometimes contradictory cultural representations

of masculinity and femininity. The two key cultural icons for defining femininity are LaMalinche and the Virgin of Guadalupe. The myth of La Malinche refers to the Indianwoman who was given to conqueror Hernn Corts in 1519. During the remaining part ofthe conquest she was his interpreter and "mistress." La Malinche is the collaborator andtraitor, but also the sexually violated who gave birth to an illegitimate son, the firstmestizo. In contrast to La Malinche, the Virgin of Guadalupe represents suffering andsacrifice. This has given rise to the image of the submissive, self-sacrificing, but virtuouswoman (la abnegada). Together these myths explain the ambiguity attached to defining

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females. The key concept for defining masculinity is machismo, which is associated withviolence, power, aggressiveness, and sexual assertiveness. These general culturalrepresentations have formed the basis for ideas of "natural" male dominance and powerand female suffering and motherhood. They have been influential in the imagery ofMexican men and women, but they are increasingly considered simple stereotypes. Under

the influence of profound social and cultural transformations in an increasingly urbanizedMexico, perceptions of masculinity and femininity are shifting continuously.

MARRIAGE, FAMILY AND KINSHIP

Marriage. Mexicans are free to choose their marriage partners. Informally, however,there are rules that constrain choices, most importantly those related to class andethnicity. People usually marry after a period of formal engagement that can last severalyears. In 1995, the average age at marriage for a male was almost twenty-four years; for awoman it was nearly twenty-two years. Out of all Mexicans aged twelve and above, justover half were married or otherwise united. Although the basis for marriage is love, manyMexicans consciously or unconsciously look for a partner who can provide social and

economic security or upward mobility. Monogamy is the only marriage form allowed. Amarriage ceremony consists of a civil registration and a religious wedding. Afterwards,the couple holds a huge and costly party with family and friends. At the beginning of the1990s, the divorce rate was a relatively low 6.5 percent. It is legally easy to divorce butthe social pressure against it can be formidable.Domestic UnitThe nuclear family is the common household unit: in 1995, almost three-quarters of all family households were nuclear. Households consisted of an average of 4.6members. In the same year, almost 6 percent of the households were single-person. At thesame time, a significant number of households consist of "extended" nuclear families,which often exist on a temporary basis. Particularly among the urban poor there are

households consisting of parents, children, grandparents and sometimes other relatives.Recently married couples may live for a few years with the kin of husband or wife inorder to save sufficient money to establish an independent domestic unit. In thecountryside different nuclear families might live close to each other and share commonresources. In 1995, 82 percent of households were male-headed. Although womengenerally hold fundamental responsibilities in the household, men are still the principalauthority. Domestic violence constitutes a serious problem in Mexico.Inheritance. Inheritance laws make no distinction between men and women. Each childIs legally entitled to an equal share, but in practice male descendants are often privileged.In the countryside land is often distributed only among sons.Kin Groups. The extended family is of crucial importance to most Mexicans. Although

family members generally live dispersed, sometimes very far away due to internationalmigration, they seek opportunities to gather on several occasions. Family members willoccasionally get together for a meal during the weekend, but will more typically gatheron religious occasions. Fictive kinship relations are established through godfathers(padrinos)and godmothers (madrinas) at Catholic baptismal ceremonies. The family andlarger kin groups are the main locus of trust, solidarity, and support in Mexico. Thesenetworks are mobilized with diverse objectives such as finding work, establishingpolitical connections, and evading red tape.

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Summary

Dress:

In Mexico dressing will not matter to us because they are more like same culture that we have here in

Pakistan they usually like to wear casual clothes like pent and shirt. In formal gatherings and in

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meetings they like to wear coat pent and shirts. But in Mexico people usually like darkcolors instead

we like to wear bright colors here

Food:

There is a lot of differences in eating habits of Mexicans and our culture Mexicanusually like to have light break fast unlike we have here in Pakistan in the forms of

parahta, halwa puri etc in evening people in Mexico like to eat a snacks. Unlike here

we have a traditional lunch like roti , curry and rice etc people in Pakistan usually

eat roti at night unlike Mexicans dinner sweet rolls etc

Manners:

Mexicans people are very strongly influenced by there culture and social hierarchies

most of the manners which are found in Mexican culture are much more like as in

Pakistan. Unlike some manners that when they meet each others we dont kiss on

chicks of each other (although this kissing habit u can found in the elide class)

Conversations will mostly begin with polite and informal exchanges and slowly

move toward the subject matter. But here in Pakistan people want to take to the

point

Time:

Time culture in Mexico and Pakistan is quite same the people in Mexico not like to

be not on time as like Pakistan. in parties host handles the introduction like in

Pakistan. Business meetings in Mxico are arranged in advance like in Pakistan in

case of cancellation of meetings we have to inform the front part like in Pakistan

Space:

There is a major change in the spacing and environment in Mexico and in our

country Mexican cities have been built from the central square outwards. But here

in Pakistan our cities are formed in this manner that it creates drastic situation. But

the home environment of the Mexico houses are much like Pakistans the house's of

well-to-do Mexicans have been inward looking. Their front sides mainly consist of

plastered walls and barred windows. This reflects the desire to protect the family

from the outside world and underscores the key role of family life in the nationalculture

Education:

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Education in Mxico is quite different from Pakistan. In Mexico children are required to

go to primary school for six years. , in Pakistan childrens usually start to go school at

the age of 3 or 4 years. In Mexicopublic and private schools pupils have to wear uniforms.

Same like in Pakistan. In Mexico the majority of private schools tend to place more emphasis

on religious values. There are also more liberal private schools. Relations between teacher and

pupils tend to be strict. Role and rule differentiation between girls and boys begins at an early

age and forms key aspects of child. In Pakistan religious values are thought not in

private schools but also in government schools and institutions. In university

environment in same as universities in Pakistan.

Religion:

As we know that Mexico is highly populated by the Christians. Population of Muslims

is around 300 families in whole Mexico. So there will be some problems in offering

prayers because we dont found mosque every where in Mexico are near to your

house and celebrating our Islamic days like (eid, mohara and ramzans).

Economic:

Unlike Pakistan Mexico has a free-market economy with a mixture of modern and traditional

industry and agriculture, increasingly dominated by the private sector. Mexican economy has

experienced deregulation, internationalization, and privatization. The number of state-owned

companies fell from more than one thousand companies in 1992. Economic restructuring

was promoted by national and international interest groups in response to several late twentieth

century economic and financial crises. The gross domestic product (GDP) amounted to $415

billion (U.S.) in 2008. The composition of GDP by sector was as follows: agriculture, a little

more than 5 percent; industry, 29 percent; and services, almost 66 percent, of which commerce,

restaurants, and hotels accounted for a third. Mexico produces and exports large quantities of oil,

the overwhelming majority of exports came from the manufacturing industry. The most

important sectors were, in diminishing order, machinery, automobiles, textiles, and clothing and

as we all know that the economy of Pakistan is havent in the position to compare

with Mexico our imports and exports are crushed badly. One of the reasons of

Pakistan economic decline is the war against terrorism.

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Laws & regulations:

The laws and regulations which we found in Pakistan is cannot be comparable to

any other country in the world except Afghanistan. Organized crime, Muggings,

burglaries, increasingly violent, became widespread. Drug-related violence constituted another

serious cause of concern. Public security has thus become a key issue for ordinary citizens and

the authorities. At the same time, the police and the judiciary system are widely believed to be

ineffective and lack public credibility, partially due to unresolved high-profile political

assassinations and corruption. This has led to incidents of people taking the law into their own

hands. The situation of Mexico is same like in Pakistan.

Language:

Language will be the most important factor in case of going to Mexico Spanishis theofficial language of Mexico. As many as 100 Native American languages are still spoken in

Mexico, but no single alternative language prevails. Eighty percent of those Mexicans who speak

an indigenous language also speak Spanish. In case of going to Mexico we have to learn

how to speak Spanish.

Social norms:

Respect for elders:

In Mexico The treatment of adults and superiors, including parents and teachers, differs withMexican students socialized in a tradition of respect for those older. But here in Pakistan we

generally give respect to every one even he is adult or superior or younger then us.

Gender roles:

Differences in male-female roles are noted, especially for children from rural Mexico, whereboys and men traditionally do manual labor while girls and women take care of the home. Samelike in Pakistan

Family Values

Like in Pakistan the family is at the centre of the social structure. Mexico has the sameMexican family values are the same like most Pakistani cultures have. The extended familyis as important as the nuclear family since it provides a sense of stability Same like PakistanMexicans consider it their duty and responsibility to help family members. For example, thewill help find employment or finance a house or other large purchase. Most Mexicanfamilies are extremely traditional, with the father as the head, the authority figure and thedecision-maker. Mothers are greatly revered, but their role may be seen as secondary to thatof their husband.

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Families

Children regularly live with their parents until they marry. In Pakistan it varies from family

to family units stay connected. Often, grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and children livein the same area or even in the same house. Same as Pakistan

Hierarchical Society

People respect authority and look to those above them for guidance and decision-making samelike in Pakistan Rank is important, and those above you in rank must always be treated withrespect like in Pakistan

Meeting Etiquette

When greeting in social situations, womens usually shake hands in Pakistan unlike inMexico Men shake hands until they know someone well, at which time they progress to themore traditional hug and hand shake

Gift Giving Etiquette

If invited to a Mexican's house, bring a gift such as flowers or sweets. Same like in PakistanGift wrapping does not follow any particular protocol. Same followed in Pakistan .Gifts areopened immediately. In Pakistan it depends upon the gatherings in which you are .If youreceive a gift, open it and react enthusiastically.

Dining Etiquette

Arrive 30 minutes late in most places (check with colleagues to see if you should arrive laterthan that). Is much like as Pakistani culture at a smaller gathering the host usually handles theintroductions same in Pakistani culture

Business Meeting Etiquette

Business appointments are required and should be made at least 2 weeks in advance.Reconfirm the appointment one week before the meeting. No time limits in it inPakistan Reconfirm the meeting again once you arrive in Mexico and make sure that the

secretary of the person you will be meeting knows how to contact you. Same in Pakistan It isimportant that you arrive on time for meetings, although your Mexican business associatesmay be up to 30 minutes late. Strictly followed in Pakistan Meetings may be postponed withlittle advance warning. Same like in Pakistan

Business Dress

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Dress as you would in Europe Men should wear conservative, dark colored suits. InPakistan pent shirt and tie are preferred Women should wear business suits orconservative dresses in Mexico. But in Pakistan womens wear kames shalwar.

Verbal Communication:

Verbal communication People in Mexico use longer sentences because the culture valueselegance and expressiveness to a higher degree. This pattern is same followed inPakistan.

Decicion Making:

In the Mexico Culture Decisions on family size and fertility regulation are made withinthe household, and yet little research has focused on the effects of power relationshipswithin families on demographic decisions. To clarify the situation, the paper presents an

original framework, linking bases of power between husbands and wives, resultingcommunication processes, and decision-making outcomes. This culture is same followedin Pakistan but in Pakistan we have male dominate society male are more involved indecision making purpose instead in Mexico man and women has equal rights to do that.