Marketing strategies must take cultural variation into account, especially in business-to-business dealings. While receiving a small gift is accepted in Japan, doing so in Germany may be construed as _________.
A. Bribery
B. Facilitation
C. Expediency
D. Fierce competitiveness
E. Cultural nuance
Answer: A - Marketing strategies must take cultural variation into account, especially in business-to-business dealings. While receiving a small gift is accepted in Japan, doing so in Germany may be construed as bribery. Marketers must understand how the overall culture in a country views business interactions and the exchange of gifts. In many countries, business people are severely discouraged from accepting personal gifts. In Japan or China, however, giving a gift in the first meeting is considered a sign of graciousness and a reflection of a business person's willingness to engage in business.