07 Quiz Multicultural Diversity

Philippines, China,
and Saudi Arabia

Submitted By:
Cagungun, Michaela
Carolino, Marjorie
Etol, Danica
Gregorio, Richelle Mae
Jurado, Alejiah
Lagutan, Aryanna
Soleta, Krizzy
Talavera, Johneth Nicole

Submitted To:
Mr. Brix Torralba

October 25, 2025

Social customs and etiquettes of Philippines (Culture Guide)

In the Philippines, respect and hierarchy are important. People commonly greet the oldest
or most important person first. A handshake and smile is polite, while close female friends may
hug or kiss on the cheek. Titles and surnames are used until invited to use the person's first name
or nickname. Family is extremely important in the Philippines. Families in the Philippines
remain close, helping each other (even with jobs) is part of life. Many Filipinos take pride in
helping their family. Hiya or shame, also dictates behavior. Filipinos avoid doing things that may
embarrass themselves or their family. It is important to protect one’s reputation in the
community. When giving gifts it is appropriate to bring sweets or flowers if invited over.
However, white lilies and chrysanthemums are avoided. Gifts are neatly wrapped but not opened
until after the visit and usually not opened at all. Dining etiquette conveys respect. Guests often
wait to be invited once or twice before approaching the table or eating. Hosts decide where to sit.
Meals are often served family-style, and Filipino typically use a fork in their left hand and a
spoon in their right hand.
 ●​ Business or work place of Philippines
In the Philippines, successful business relationships deeply emphasize personal
connection and trust. Filipinos value interpersonal relationships to help establish and gain
credibility and respect for the company or organization. Networking is also important here
because it allows you to build a circle of trusted business associates who can provide mutual
support and assistance over time. In this culture, business and personal relationships are
collaborative and common where exchanging favors is a sign of goodwill and partnership. Also,
once a relationship is formed it is tied to the individual rather than the company. Moreover,
dressing properly and professionally reflects respect and sincerity, which is a key to fostering
meaningful and long term business connections in the Filipino business culture. In the
workplace, managers in particular are shaped by the country's strong sense of respect for
authority. Every organization has its own role and managers are generally not expected to seek
input or approval from lower ranking employees when it comes to making decisions in the
company or organization. This style is said to reflect the traditional Filipino value of respeto
(respect) for those in high positions. Aside from that, the managers treat their employees as not
just workers but as a family that shows genuine concern and well being for their employees.
 China

Social customs and etiquettes of China (Culture Guide)

China has a culture that values respect and harmony in social life. The Chinese people
really value respect, harmony, and being polite to others. When greeting someone, they always
greet the oldest person first to show respect. They also do handshakes, especially with foreigners,
but it is not too strong like Western [Link] Chinese avoid too much eye contact because
for them it may look rude or [Link] don't like arguing or raising their voice because
they want to keep peace with [Link] or interrupting when someone talking is seen as
being rude, so they listen quietly and speak politely. Gift giving is also very meaningful in their
culture. They give gifts during Chinese New Year, weddings, or birthdays. But there are also
gifts that should not be given like scissors, knives, or clocks because these are believed to bring
bad luck or mean cutting ties with someone. When giving gifts, they are using both hands, and
the gift is not opened right away to show respect. Usually, the person may refuse the gift a few
times before accepting it, which shows humility and respect.

Overall, Chinese social customs and etiquette teach people to be respectful, humble and
thoughtful of others feelings. For some, these traditions may seem strict or complicated but they
really reflect how the Chinese people value harmony and good relationships in their daily lives.
 ●​ Business or workplace of China

In China, they need to wear business attire that should be conservative and unpretentious,
presenting a clean and presentable appearance. Men should wear dark-colored, conservative
business suits. Women should wear conservative business suits or dresses with high necklines.
Women should wear flat shoes or shoes with very low heels. Bright colors should be avoided.
These can define conservative and formal, who can wear suits or modest dresses.

In a formal Chinese situation, people should be addressed by their title followed by their
last name to show respect and politeness. When meeting in a business environment, professional
titles can be used, for example, General Manager Liu or Director Wang; otherwise, informal
names or whatever you want to call them can be used.

Business cards are exchanged upon meeting a new person and follow a strict protocol.
The card must be printed in Chinese and English. This means respect and cultural sensitivity and
helps build a good business relationship. In China, appointments are necessary, and if possible,
one to two months in advance, and preferably by writing. The company should use an
intermediary to arrange a formal instruction. Once the introduction has been made, you should
introduce and give all the information about your company to accomplish the meeting. Attending
the meeting on time or slightly earlier to show respect and show that it matters, and attending late
is an insult and reflects negatively on relationships.
 Saudi Arabia

Social customs and etiquettes of Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia people’s names say a lot about their ancestry and where they are from.
They can repeat the names of great-grandfathers who lived for many generations, showing how
much they are valued there. Their names follow a similar pattern: first name, father's or
grandfather's name, son or daughter of father or grandfather, familial, tribal, or dynasty name.
Additionally, for meeting and greeting. Men and women usually greet each other with a
handshake and kiss on each cheek, with longer handshakes in Western culture. Women hug and
kiss close friends, and in business, shake hands or place hands on hearts and when they greet
each other they take their time and converse about general things. Lastly, Saudis communication
is characterized by a friendly, relaxed, and indirect approach, with a focus on saving face and
honoring Sunnah. Saudis are generally blunt and avoid emotional outbursts. Friends or
coworkers often argue with each other in a way that shows they are enthusiastic and
[Link]'s normal to flatter guests, and asking personal questions about their family or
lifestyle is typically just being curious, not nosy.
 ●​ Business or workplace of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has a great opportunity because of its striking business in construction and
infrastructure projects. So they offer a wide range of opportunities internationally (foreign brands
and global companies). Also, Saudi Arabia promotes cultural awareness through training that
gives ideas or insights to professionals to better understand the culture, communicate effectively,
and succeed when working. These will help workers to learn more about dealing and creating
relationships with others that builds a strong relationship or connection within the workplace.

A.​ What are the things you’ve learned or realized from doing this activity?

In the Philippines, respect and hierarchy are highly valued, with family being a
significant aspect of life. Business relationships in the Philippines emphasize personal
connection and trust, with networking being crucial for building a circle of trusted associates.
Managers are expected to treat their employees as family members, and dress professionally to
reflect respect and sincerity. In China, respect and harmony are deeply ingrained in social life,
with greetings and handshakes being common. Gift giving is significant, with gifts given during
Chinese New Year, weddings, or birthdays. Business attire is conservative and unpretentious,
with appointments made one to two months in advance. In Saudi Arabia, names reflect ancestry
and place of origin, and communication is friendly, relaxed, and indirect. Cultural awareness
training is promoted to help professionals understand the culture, communicate effectively, and
succeed in the workplace.

The learnings about these three different countries' customs and etiquettes can help us to
understand and respect diverse people and appreciate their cultures, beliefs and practices during
the special occasions and daily lives of their country. Each of these three different countries
introduce their unique practices that are shaped by their rich history and values. By respecting
and adapting to these customs and etiquettes, us individuals can build deep connections and
promote cultural harmony in an increasingly globalized world. Furthermore, it can help us to
communicate with other countries by learning their culture and avoid misunderstanding the
differences of each of these countries.
 B.​ How are these learnings or realizations helpful and applicable in your future work
in a tourism and hospitality establishment?

​ The culture guides of the three countries which are the Philippines, China, and Saudi
Arabia social customs and etiquettes, show respect in a different culture from a different country.
Understanding their culture guides is applicable in our future work in the tourism and hospitality
industry, because it can help to create a comfortable and positive working environment for
everyone. Being aware of their culture provides a good service for international guests, on how
to communicate properly, show respect and adapt to their different cultures in their country. This
knowledge is valuable in the future work in a tourism and hospitality establishment to handle the
situations with professionalism and give a fair treatment to others.

​ The three countries' culture guides will establish a welcoming and inclusive environment,
adapt a communication style accordingly, and provide a range of customers with personalized
and polite treatment. In the future, when client satisfaction is heavily reliant on cultural
awareness in the tourism and hospitality sectors, these skills will be essential for cultivating
constructive encounters, preventing misunderstandings, and promoting a positive image of the
organization we represent.

Resource:
[Link]