Are you going to do business overseas? International business is challenging because you have to know the culture of the country (and company) you are going to visit. You should also be familiar with the culture and customs of any overseas visitors to your office.
In today's post, we're going to look at language to explain rules, customs, and guidelines to people from other countries using modal verbs of obligation
must, mustn't (must not)
can't (cannot)
have/has to
need to
need to
ought to/ought not to
should/shouldn't (should not)
can
don't/doesn't have to (do not/does not)
don't/doesn't need to (do not/does not)Let's look at an example of how to use these words.
Business In Japan
In Japan, business people usually exchange business cards (名刺, meishi) when they meet for the first time. The host should present her/his card to the guest(s) first, then the guest(s) presents theirs.
If you're an overseas visitor, you don't have to present a business card (if you don't have one), but, after you receive a Japanese business card (which are in Japanese and English), you should read the card carefully to learn the person's name and job title.
You can shake hands with Japanese business people. Handshaking has become more common, but the Japanese do like to see foreign guest take an interest in their culture.
When doing business in Japan, you have to wear a suit and tie in formal meetings. Your suit should be black, grey, or dark blue. You shouldn't wear bright colours, but you can have wear a light coloured tie.
In Japanese homes, you must take off your shoes. It's very rude to wear shoes indoors. In older, traditional bars and restaurants with tatami mats, you must also remove your footwear. However, you can wear socks or house slippers.
"Have/has to" means it's a rule (We have to be at work by 9.)
We "must(n't)" when we feel strongly or personally feel it's necessary to do/not do something. (I must clean my kitchen: it's been dirty for weeks.)
We use "need to" for when something is necessary; "don't need to" is used when something isn't necessary.
"Can't" means it's forbidden, not allowed. (People can't smoke in hospitals.)
"Should(n't)" means it's not a rule, but, you're expected to do it/not to do it anyway. (You shouldn't wear white socks with black shoes and trousers.)
"Ought to/not to" is a more formal than "should(n't)" (You ought to call your grandmother on Christmas Day).
If there's no rule at all, we use "don't/doesn't have to" (Children don't have to go to school in summer).
"Can" means we have freedom to do (or not do) something (You're in my home; you can eat whatever you like).
The grammar: modal verb + base form verb (have to go, can use, mustn't eat, etc).
Exercise 1
Re-write the sentences with the correct modal verb (there may be more than one option). Use the phrases in brackets () to help you. You may use the comments section to answer the questions.
Example:
In Canadian restaurants, you (people think it's good to) leave a tip for the waiter/waitress.
In Canadian restaurants you should leave a tip for the waiter/waitress.
1/ I (it's very important) finish this report by the end of the day.
I _____finish this report by the end of the day.
2/ If you commute to work, you (it's a good idea) get to the station early.
______________________________________________________
3/ You (it's a good idea) avoid dating co-workers.
______________________________________________________________
4/ Summer vacation has started so I (there's no rule) do any homework for 3 months.
_________________________________________________________________.
5/ In Quebec, drivers (there's a law against it) turn right on a red light.
______________________________________________________
6/ My boss likes meetings, but, I think we (it's not necessary) them.
_____________________________________________________
As a bonus exercise, you can write about the business culture in your country, school, or company.
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